Temples are always an indispensable part of Chinese gardens, especially imperial gardens. On one side, this is because of emperors' belief in Buddhism, and on the other side because of the  unique views that religious temples create. Sometimes temples could become the major scenes or the center of garden composition. The tranquility and serenity of temples create an unearthly

The yellow wall and the bamboo shadow in the religions Ling Gu Temple in Nanking.

The new twig grown from the old plum tree in the courtyard of old temple in the Tiantai Mountain.

     The Everlasting Blessing Temple and its Lama Tower were built in the Jade Flower Islet in the North Sea Park. The Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Sea of Wisdom Hall in the Summer Palace were built on the south mountainside and ridge of the Longevity Hill. These Buddhist-style structures are the landmark and the center of garden composition of these two imperial gardens because of their outstanding views and unique locations. To the east of Xu Mi Ling Jing Temple in the middle of the rear part of the Longevity Hill in the Summer Palace, there stands a temple named Hua Cheng Ge, which is not large in size. Inside the temple, there is a small-scale octagonal glazed tile pagoda. Windbeils hung under the eaves of each floor of the pagoda will chime when wind blows over, displaying an unworldly atmosphere.

     Contrasting with the building intentions of the above structures, the Shopping Street in the Houxi River in the Summer Palace created a real scene of worldly life for emperors who were isolated from the outside world - shops standing side by side and shop signs swaying in the wind. Though an artificial scene, it displayed garden owners' yearning toward busy city life. Walking inside, one as if sees the bustle of the waterside street in Suzhou or hears the songs from the Qin Huai River in Nanjing, which stirs great interests of visitors.

     It is through the above means that the artistic realm of garden is pregnant with rich meanings. A highly-developed classical art form blending poetry, painting, calligraphy, carving, bonsai, music and traditional opera, Chinese gardening also participates in the creating of the traditional Chinese cultural environment and atmosphere. The refined, exquisite, lyric, graceful and restrained artistic style not only displays a life attitude, but also condenses the Chinese traditional artistic spirit which is influenced by the oriental philosophy. Only after understanding these implications, one can fully appreciate the beauty of classic Chinese gardens.