The document compares Chinese and Western classical gardens, discussing their origins and evolution over time. It covers three main types: royal gardens, private gardens, and temple gardens. Royal gardens in China originated from hunting reserves for emperors, while those in the West were large parks for hunting on horseback. Private gardens in China emphasized conformity with nature and asymmetry, while those in the West featured sculpture, fountains, and geometric plantings. Temple gardens in both cultures served religious and scholarly functions but differed in their forms, with Chinese gardens having irregular axes and Western monasteries being more geometric.