The Influence of Chinese Shanshui Culture on the Development of Gardens in China and Abroad

Abstract

This paper systematically examines the origin and development of Chinese shanshui culture and its influence on gardens in China and abroad. Adopting a comparative perspective between China and the West, the study reveals the differences and interactions between the two traditions across five dimensions: natural geography, philosophical thought, garden form, spiritual expression, and cross-cultural transmission. The results indicate that Western gardens, originating from open plains, emphasize human control over nature, while Chinese gardens, shaped by complex terrain, gave rise to the concept of "harmony between heaven and humanity" and the pursuit of "learning from nature." At the material level, Chinese cities integrated mountains and waters into their macro-scale layouts, while literati created micro-scale gardens through expressive techniques. At the spiritual level, Chinese landscape poetry and painting distinguish themselves from Western traditions through "conveying emotion through scenery" and "changing scenery with each step." During the 17th–18th centuries, Chinese shanshui culture was introduced to Europe by missionaries, driving innovation in Western garden design. In the contemporary context, the concept of the "shanshui city" offers a vital pathway for the continuity of urban cultural heritage and sustainable development in China. As a spiritual legacy connecting tradition and modernity, East and West, Chinese shanshui culture holds significant theoretical and practical value.