Guyi Garden in Historical Transition: The Interpenetration and Transformation of Classical Gardens and Public Parks

Abstract

Guyi Garden, located in Nanxiang Ancient Town in Jiading District, Shanghai, is one of the five major classical gardens in the city. Following the opening of Shanghai to foreign trade, local gardens underwent significant transformations under the influence of commerce and cultural exchange. This paper traces the evolution of Guyi Garden, interpreting the sociocultural context behind its renaming over time, and examines the conceptual shift from “classical garden” to “public park” as a reflection of broader societal changes. Through an analysis of this specific Jiangnan classical garden, the study aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms that led to the transformation of classical gardens in modern Shanghai. Based on historical and social developments, the transformation of Guyi Garden is divided into four major phases: the stable development period of a private garden in the Ming Dynasty; a rapid transformation during the commercial boom and temple-centered expansion; the incursion of public park culture following Shanghai’s opening; and the expansion into a public tourist attraction after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, the paper explores changes in garden aesthetics and the interplay between Chinese and Western garden cultures, offering insights for the preservation and transmission of classical garden heritage in contemporary times.