Preface 1
Landscape Gardens 5
Hunting and Communion with the Spirits 8
The Symbol of a Unified State 9
Fully Enjoying the Beauty of Nature 14
Gardens of Pleasure in Prosperous Times 19
A World in a wine pot 23
A Vision to Move the Heaven and Condense the Earth 26
Private Gardens of Ming and Qing Dynasties 29
Private Gardens of the South 30
Celebrated Gardens of the North 51
Construction Techniques of Private Gardens 61
Magnificent Imperial Gardens 79
General Introduction of Imperial Gardens of the Ming and Qing Dynasties 81
The Garden Zone in the Northwest Outskirts of Beijing 87
The Appreciation of Some Well-known Gardens 91
The Comparison between Imperial Gardens and Private Gardens 128
Garden Building Masters and Theories on Creating a Garden 133
How to Appreciate the Beauty of Gardens'Artistic Conception(Realm) 139
The Creation of Gardens'Artistic Conception(Realm) 140
Symbolism and Allegories 140
Seek Poetic Mood and Artistic Realm 143
Gathering Scenic Wonders and Historical Sites from all over the Country 148
Building Temples，Streets and Taverns 151
View-watching Angles 152
The Tragedy and Revival of the Famed Gardens 159
Appendix:Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties 168