A Comparative Study of the Garden Spatial Features in Chinese and Vietnamese Imperial Villas from the Aspect of Horizontal Tablet

Abstract

This study interpreted and classified the meanings of the horizontal tablets in Chinese and Vietnamese imperial villas. At the same time, the spatial features of gardens at these villas were compared and analysed on the basis of the building functions. The following conclusions were drawn. The meanings of the horizontal tablets in Changchun Garden provided comprehensive description of the emperor’s daily life and personal preferences. The horizontal tablets of the Vietnamese imperial villas expressed the solemn royal atmosphere and the emperor’s exhortations to his descendants. The Vietnamese imperial villas were influenced by Chinese Confucianism, but also reflected characteristic Vietnamese thought and culture, in a very different manner to the Chinese imperial villas. This study presented a comprehensive overview of the spatial features of Chinese and Vietnamese imperial villas against a background of cultural exchange between the two countries.