Relaxing Chinese Gardens

On our trips to China, many of our travelers are surprised how densely populated and busy the cities are.

But the Chinese have always felt a profound connection with nature, so even though the cities are crowded and land is expensive, many small gardens can be found, providing a hidden respite from the hustle and bustle.

Chinese gardens are as rich in symbolism as they are in beauty. Not just a place where one can view colorful flowers, as American gardens are, Chinese gardens are designed as quiet places to contemplate nature and life.

That’s why you’ll always find elements of water, rocks and mountains in Chinese gardens.

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So, if you’re designing a Chinese garden for your home, you must include a small pool, fountain or even a little stream, as well as small rocks along the side and larger ones, arranged in cliffs and peaks to represent mountains.

The Chinese garden is meant to be walked through and experienced almost as a series of little stories. It should naturally lead the visitor from one section to another, each section offering another chance to wax philosophical about the environment.

Another place for this contemplation within the garden is the “ting,” another critical element to any Chinese garden. This small pavilion is meant to be a resting place where one can contemplate nature and appreciate all of the garden’s views as a whole, rather than its individual sections.

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Think of your Chinese garden as a functional place, too. Design it to be used as a meeting place, to play music, write, paint, play games or enjoy your lunch.

The Chinese have a saying that expresses the heart of the Chinese garden: “He who plants a garden plants happiness.”

Remember, it’s not a place you go to escape life, but to appreciate the fact that you and it are connected as a part of life itself.