On the Public Nature of Chinese Ancient Gardens and Its Impact on Urban Life——Taking Gardens of Song Dynasty as an Example

Song Dynasty witnessed the maturity of Chinese classical gardens, as well as the peak of public gardens. The traditional public garden, such as temple gardens, county gardens were well inherited, and even government office gardens also opened to the public. Far more than these, the court even opened the imperial gardens to the public, and for the first time in Chinese history, the annual opening day was set in the form of law. Thus, the opening day had eventually become a common festival of the Capital, a memory of proudness in the cultural history of Chinese cities. At the same time, private gardens also held various public activities in Spring time which reflected the same values.