Map of Distribution of Imperial Gardens 2
Travel Guide to the Summer Resort at Chengde and Scenic Spots in Its Vicinity 4
Editor's Note 9
Preface 1 10
Preface 2 11
General Introduction 14
The Embryonic Form and Later Development of Chinese Gardens——A Gradual Metamorphosis from Primitive Hunting Grounds to Exquisite Resorts for Enjoyment 14
Ⅰ．Long Stage of Preparation before the Emergence of Chinese Imperial Gardens 14
Ⅱ．Emergence of Grandiose Imperial Gardens in the Qin and Han Dynasties 17
Ⅲ．Spirit of Practical Material Enjoyment Displayed in Gardens Built during the Wei,Jin,Southern and Northern Dynasties 22
Ⅳ．Admiration for Natural Beauty,Maturation in Garden Building in the Sui and Tang Dynasties 27
Ⅴ．Exquisite and Refined Song Dynasty Gardens—A Concentration of Natural Beauties 30
Ⅵ．Stagnation in the Development of Imperial Gardens during the Jin,Yuan and Ming Dynasties 37
The Period of Ultimate Splendour——The Qing Dynasty Gardens,Culmination of Imperial Gardens 44
Ⅰ．Xihaizi (The West Sea) 47
Ⅱ．Yuanmingyuan Garden(Garden of Perfection and Brightness) 52
Ⅲ．Jingyiyuan Garden(Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure) 60
Ⅳ．Jingmingyuan Garden(Garden of Tranquility and Brightness) 61
Ⅴ．Yiheyuan Garden(Summer Palace) 63
Ⅵ．Summer Resort at Chengde 72
Notes on the Photographs 82
Beihai 82
Full view of southern side of Qionghua Island,Beihai 82
Northern slope of Qionghua Island,Beihai 86
Qingxiaolou Storied Building,Beihai 88
White Dagoba and Shanyindian Hall,Beihai 89
Bronze Statue of Celestial Being Holding a Plate above Its Head for Receiving Heavenly Nectar,Beihai 90
Stele with inscriptions of"Qingdao Chunyin"(Qionghua Island in Spring),Beihai 91
Hangutang Hall,Beihai 92
Distant view of northern slope of Qionghua Island,Beihai 94
Northern slope of Qionghua Island in winter,Beihai 95
Lakeside Roofed Promenade,Beihai 96
Fenliangge Tower,Beihai 97
Luoguo Bridge(Hunchback Bridge),Beihai 97
Jingxinzhai Garden(Garden of a Tranquil Heart),Beihai 98
Jingxinzhai Garden,Beihai 100
Rockeries and a Roofed Walkway Ascending the Hill to the north of Jingxinzhai Garden,Beihai 102
Xiaoxitian Hall(Hall of the Little West Land),Beihai 103
Five Dragon Pavilions,Beihai 104
Nine-Dragon Wall,Beihai 106
Zhonghai-Nanhai 108
Xiangluange Storied Building(Flying Phoenix Storied Building),Zhonghai-Nanhai 108
Hanyuandian Hall,Zhonghai-Nanhai 109
Pond in Jinggu Vale(Vale of Quietude),Zhonghai-Nanhai 110
Bayin Kexie Pavilion,Zhonghai-Nanhai 110
Renyuting Pavilion(Abundant Fish Pavilion),Zhonghai-Nanhai 111
Promenade in front of Chunyizhai Study,Zhonghai-Nanhai 112
Summer Palace 114
Rockery yard in Yiyunguan House,Summer Palace 114
Renshoudian Hall(Hall of Benevolence and Longevity),Summer Palace 115
Inside view of the main hall of Renshoudian Hall,Summer Palace 116
Inside view of Renshoudian Hall,Summer Palace 117
Xijialou Storied Building(Beautiful Sunset Storied Building),Summer Palace 118
Zhichunting Pavilion(Spring-Heralding Pavilion),Summer Palace 119
Bronze Ox,Summer Palace 120
Seventeen-Arch Bridge in the evening glow,Summer Palace 121
Jing Bridge(Mirror Bridge),Summer Palace 122
Kuoruting Pavilion(Spacious Pavilion),Summer Palace 124
Full view of Hanxutang Hall(Hall of Forbearance and Humbleness),Summer Palace 125
West Causeway,Summer Palace 126
Yudai Bridge(Jade Belt Bridge),Summer Palace 128
Marble Boat,Summer Palace 130
Xing Bridge,Summer Palace 132
Long Corridor,Summer Palace 134
Long Corridor in front of Yangyunxuan House,Summer Palace 136
Yangyunxuan House,Summer Palace 138
Colour paintings in the Long Corridor,Summer Palace 139
Full view of Foxiangge Tower(Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha),Summer Palace 140
Decorated Archway in front of Paiyundian Hall(Cloud-Dispelling Hall),Summer Palace 142
Bronze Pavilion,Summer Palace 143
Zhuanlunzang Buddhist Hall and Revolving Pagodas,Summer Palace 144
Xiangyang Zongyin Temple,Summer Palace 145
Paiyundian Hall(Cloud-Dispelling Hall)and Kunming Lake,Summer Palace 146
Foxiangge Tower(Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha),Summer Palace 148
Roofed Ascending Walkway,Summer Palace 149
Zhongxiangjie Glazed-tile Archway and Zhihuihai Hall(Sea of Wisdom Hall),Summer Palace 150
Interior view of Foxiangge Tower,Summer Palace 151
Nanshanbuzhou Tower viewed from Xiangyang Zongyin Temple,Summer Palace 152
A corner of Xumi Lingjing Buddhist Realm,Summer Palace 153
Duobaota Pagoda(Glazed-tile Pagoda of Treasures),Summer Palace 154
Jingfuge Hall,Summer Palace 155
Hanyuantang Hall,Summer Palace 156
Lotus Pond in Xiequyuan Garden(Garden of Harmonious Interest),Summer Palace 157
Xiequyuan Garden(Garden of Harmonious Interest,Summer Palace 158
Inside view of Leshoutang Hall(Hall of Happiness and Longevity),Summer Palace 160
Shuimu Ziqin Hall(Hall of Natural Affinity between Water and Wood),Summer Palace 162
Market Street,Summer Palace 164
The Promenade of Shuimu Ziqin Hall,and glass windows of diverse shapes,Summer Palace 166
City-gate Tower of Ziqi Donglai,Summer Palace 167
Yuanmingyuan Garden 168
Remains of Grand Artificial Fountain,Yuanmingyuan Garden 168
Remains of Haiyantang Building,Yuanmingyuan Garden 169
Remains of Yuanyingguan Building Group,Yuanmingyuan Garden 170
Fangwaiguan Building,Yuanmingyuan Garden 171
Stone Screen and Terrace for Watching the Artificial Fountain,Yuanmingyuan Garden 172
Summer Resort at Chengde 174
Sizhi Study(Study of Four-Knowledge),Summer Resort at Chengde 174
Wanhe Songfeng Hall(Hall of Soughing Pines in Thousands of Valleys),Summer Resort at Chengde 175
Yuese Jiangsheng Island(Island of Moonlight and Sound of River),Summer Resort at Chengde 176
Fangzhu Linliu Pavillion viewed from Zhijing Yundi Causeway,Summer Resort at Chengde 176
Zhijing Yundi Causeway viewed from Shuixinxie Pavilions(Pavilions in the Heart of the Lake),Summer Resort at Chengde 177
Full view of Shuixinxie Pavilions(Pavilions in the Heart of the Lake),Summer Resort at Chengde 178
Linfang Villa,Summer Resort at Chengde 178
Jinshan Hill(Golden Hill),Summer Resort at Chengde 180
Yanyulou Storied Building(Smoke-like Rain Storied Building)viewed from Shangdige Tower,Summer Resort at Chengde 181
Shanghu Lake(Upper Lake)viewed from Shangdige Tower(Tower of Heavenly King),Summer Resort at Chengde 183
Yanyulou Storied Building(Smoke-like Rain Storied Building),Summer Resort at Chengde 184
Rockeries at Yanyulou Storied Building and Panchuifeng Peak Beetle-shaped Peak)viewed from Linfang Villa,Summer Resort at Chengde 185
Rockeries at Wenjinge Storied Building(Sea of Literature Storied Building),Summer Resort at Chengde 185
Chenghu Lake(Clear Lake),Summer Resort at Chengde 186
Chuifeng Luozhao Pavilion,Summer Resort at Chengde 188
Wenjinge Storied Building(Sea of Literature Storied Building),Summer Resort at Chengde 189
Wulie River and the Pagoda in Yongyou Temple(Temple of Eternal Blessing)Summer Resort at Chengde 190
Palace Wall of Summer Resort at Chengde 191
Prospect from the east of Beizhen Shuangfeng Pavilion,Summer Resort at Chengde 192
Appendices 193
Glossary 193
Chronology of Major Events in the History of Chinese Architecture 197