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Qianlong's Yuanming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness) was a microcosm of his world, with lush plants, artificial mountains and lakes, and colorful buildings. From within these precincts, the emperor ruled his lands, performed imperial rituals, and observed various religious ceremonies of his people. Destroyed and looted in 1860 by Western forces, it is today only partially restored. Using images, maps, and color-plates, this book reveals the philosophical, political, and artistic concepts that the gardens represented.
List of contents
Contents
List of Images
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Experiencing the Garden of Perfect Brightness (Yuanming Yuan)
Chapter 2: Qianlong's Garden of Everlasting Spring (Changchun Yuan)
Chapter 3: The Garden of the Clear Ripples (Qingyi Yuan) on Longevity Hill
(Shou Shan)
Chapter 4: The Garden of Tranquil Luminescence (Jingming Yuan) on Jade
Spring Hill (Yuquan Shan)
Chapter 5: The Garden of Quiet Delight (Jinyi Yuan) on Fragrant Hill (Xiang Shan)
Afterword
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Victoria M. Siu (1935-2010), a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, U.S. province (RSCJ), held a Ph.D. from Georgetown University where her dissertation was on U.S.-Chinese relations.
