A Brief Analysis of the Influence of Mountain and Water Elements in Chinese Classical Gardens on the 18th Century British Natural Landscape Gardens

Abstract

In the 18th century, British gardens began to transform from a classical to a natural landscape style. During this period, they were influenced by the economy, local nature, as well as foreign cultures. The 18th century was the golden period of cultural exchange between China and the West which gave Britain the opportunity to absorb the cultures of Chinese classical gardens. British gardeners had used various elements of Chinese classical gardens as their point of reference which promoted the development of British natural landscape gardens.