Classifications

Classification by Geographical Location
Northern gardens are large and have grand structures. Because the northern climate, there isn't a large variety of water areas or evergreen trees and they're not as delicate as their counterparts in southern China. Northern gardens are found mainly in Beijing, Xi'an, Luoyang and Kaifeng, with the gardens in Beijing as most representative of the northern style.

Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) gardens cover smaller areas than the ones in the north, but have a variety of waterscapes and evergreen trees. The scenery is delicate and cozy. Southern gardens are found in Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Yangzhou, with the gardens in Suzhou considered the best examples. Southern gardens are artistic designs consisting of buildings, mountains, water and plant life. These gardens blend nature, architecture and painting into a unified whole.

Guangdong is in a subtropical zone so Cantonese gardens feature more waterscapes, vegetation and they feature subtropical scenery tall and spacious buildings.

Classification by Owner
Imperial gardens are large and grandiose, and were built using natural mountains and waterways. The most famous ones include the Imperial Forest Garden built during the Han dynasty, and in the Tang dynasty the Forbidden Garden in Xi'an. The current imperial gardens are Qing dynasty creations with Beihai Park, the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, and the Imperial Summer Villa in Chengde as the finest examples. These gardens highlight scenic spots of China's different regions blend themes of gods and legends with anecdotes of well-known historical personalities. Particular attention was given to the connection of independent sceneries within the garden.

Private gardens were relatively small with small mountains and waterways. Most only measured one hectare and very few were four or five hectares. Within such a confined space, particular attention was given to incorporating small buildings, manmade mountains and waterways, and to the placement of vegetation and decorations. The theme of the garden varied according to the taste of the owner, some showed the owner's upright and outspoken character and others presented the owner's pursuit of a plain and simple life. The private gardens of Suzhou, Yangzhou and Nanjing are considered some of China's most distinguished, with Suzhou being home to the majority of them.

Temple gardens are attached to temples and were built in approximately the same manner as private gardens, but with a greater emphasis on tranquility. Temple gardens are an integral part of temple complex and influence the design of the overall temple, thus temples have a gardenlike atmosphere.