Southern Garden Research and Exploration

About the Project

Embarking on a week-long internship in the southern region, our journey unveiled the splendors of both Shanghai and Suzhou, immersing us in the exploration of contemporary and classical gardens including Chenshan Botanical Garden, Binjiang Forest Park, and the classical gardens of Zhuozhengyuan, Wangshiyuan, Liuyuan, Shizilin, and Suzhou Museum.

The internship unfolded in two segments: a 3-day venture through Shanghai focused on contemporary urban gardens, and a 4-day exploration of private classical gardens in Suzhou.

Starting the Project

While the weight of internship assignments can often feel burdensome, the profound joy that accompanies fieldwork is undeniably genuine. Armed with a mindset of humility and a formidable collection of assignments, we transformed into dedicated voyagers. We traversed the meticulously crafted realms of landscape designers, with an insatiable thirst to uncover the very essence of these garden creators.

Summary

Regarding this field study, whether it's the modern urban gardens of Shanghai or the classical Jiangnan gardens of Suzhou, each holds its own charm. Even though these two styles are so different, they both seem to serve as commas in the sentences of our lives, urging us to slow down, pause, and truly experience ourselves while appreciating the beauty around us. I believe this is the enchantment of gardens.