{"product_id":"a-paradise-lost-the-imperial-garden-yuanming-yuan-9780824823283","title":"A Paradise Lost: The Imperial Garden Yuanming Yuan","description":"\u003cp\u003eNoted for its magnificent architecture and extraordinary history  the Yuanming Yuan is Chinas most famous imperial garden. The complex was begun in the early eighteenth century  and construction continued over the next 150 years. While Chinese historians  and many Chinese in general  view the garden as the paramount achievement of Chinese architecture and landscape design  almost nothing is known about the Yuanming Yuan in the West. A Paradise Lost is the first comprehensive study of the palatial garden complex in a Western language. Written in a broad and engaging style  Young-tsu Wong brings \"the garden of perfect brightness\" to life as he leads readers on a grand tour of its architecture and history.  Wong begins by inspecting the gardens physical appearance and its architectural elements. He discusses the origin and evolution of these structures and the aesthetics of their design and arrangement. Throughout he refers to maps and original models of individual buildings and other existing gardens of the Ming-Qing period  including the well-preserved Yihe Yuan and the Chengde Summer Mountain Retreat in Rehe. A special feature of the book is its exploration of the activities and daily life of the royal household.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45665824997429,"sku":"ByrdShop_0824823281","price":43.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780824823283.jpg?v=1782408803","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/a-paradise-lost-the-imperial-garden-yuanming-yuan-9780824823283","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}