This study focuses on the spatial features of Changchun Garden in China from the perspective of horizontal tablets. From the perspective of attraction functions, the spatial features of Changchun Garden have been analyzed and considered comprehensively by combining the grouping of horizontal tablets. The attractions with a residential function reflected the atmosphere and the artistic conception of the emperor’s residence through the horizontal tablets, which also expressed the emperor’s self-restraint. In the attractions with a sightseeing function, the horizontal tablets described Chinese and western style garden landscapes and highlighted the unique sightseeing experience. The horizontal tablets in the attractions with a religious function underlined the ideological connotation of religion to the natural landscape. In the attractions with a political function, the horizontal tablets corresponded to the layout of the space, and expressed the emperor’s political ideals and pursuits. This study will suggest that understanding the relationship between attraction functions and horizontal tablet meanings helps to elucidate the garden's spatial features and offers greater insight into the meaning of Chinese traditional gardens.
