▌Preface 
 

According to the documents, the construction of Taiwanese garden started in the Dutch domination period.  At that time, rich men 
built gardens for entertainment and social life. Till the end of Qing Dynesty, the period of Tao Kuang and Tong Tze, the rich families, 
officials, or celebrities of the north and south Taiwan competed to build their own family gardens.  Among these, the most famous 
ones are the Wu Family Garden in Tainan, the Kuo Family Garden in the north of Xin-Zhu, the Lai Garden in Wu-Fong, and the Ben-
Yuan Lin’s Family Abode and Garden in Banqiao. The above four gardens are known as the four prestigious gardens in Taiwan. In 
addition, the Qien Garden in Xin-Zhu and the Xiao-Yun-Xuen of the Lu Family in San-jiao, Shen-kang are also famous. However, 
only the Ben-Yuan Lin’s Family Abode and Garden is under the best preservation.

The garden is a kind of nature scene, manufactured or created by people. The desire of the ancient people for getting closer to the 
nature was fully reflected on the traditional Chinese gardens, because people minimized the tremendous nature in their own family 
gardens with mountains, stones, and fountains. The garden became something the ancient people could rely on for relaxation and 
inspiration. Therefore, the Chinese garden should be worthy of seeing and visiting. Chinese gardens and western gardens are different. The western garden makes good use of geometrical and abstract images. The central symmetrical axis is favored in order to 
demonstrate the dominating power and the best example is the Chateau de Versailles.

The layout of the traditional Chinese gardens is different from that of the palace, arranged by the regular symmetrical axis. In the 
Chinese gardens, a variety of techniques are used to create an environment full of natural scenes in the limited area. The design of the 
touring paths is strongly emphasized in the construction of the gardens. Different spotlights are arranged on the touring paths. Wherever you go, the scene is different. So, the visitors can enjoy the different views on the way and have deep impressions on the 
distinct gradation of complexity, variety, and unity of the garden.

The art of garden is an elegant and profound learning.  A wonderland is what the garden designer wants to create the most. The 
architecture, mountains, water, flowers, and trees in the garden and the space made by these facilities offer not only a place to enjoy 
the actual environment but also a spiritual one which can inspire and affect the people.