From a Private Garden to an Imperial Landscape: Jichang Garden and the Making of the Summer Palace

Xiefang (creative imitation) is a unique phenomenon in Chinese garden-making, and Emperor Qianlong is its ultimate master. To understand his art of garden-making, Huishan Garden's imitation of Jichang Garden serves as the crucial key. By examining Jichang Garden's history, landscape, and family culture, this lecture analyzes the profound heritage of Jiangnan gardens. It then deeply explores Huishan Garden's comprehensive imitation of Jichang Garden from four key dimensions: site selection, spatial layout, borrowed scenery, and tour routes.

LIU Shanshan

LIU Shanshan is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture. She previously served as an Associate Research Fellow at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University. In recent years, she has directed a project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, as well as a Special Project for Unpopular and Endangered Disciplines supported by the National Social Science Fund of China. Prof. Liu has published over 50 academic papers and authored several books, including The Zhi Garden Album: A Portrait of Peach Blossom Spring and Wandering Through Jiangnan Gardens: Jichang Garden.