Around the World in 80 Gardens

China and Japan

0.01h 0mMarch 2, 2008

Monty Don continues his extraordinary journey to see the world through 80 of its most inspiring gardens, as he samples the very different approach of two of the world's great gardening cultures: China and Japan. First, he travels to China, to uncover the deeper history of the oriental garden. His researches lead him to the ancient scholars' gardens of Suzhou, as well as the awesome Yellow Mountains of Huangshang that inspired them, where he meets the revered Welcome Guest Pine. By the time he reaches the Imperial Summer Palace Gardens of Beijing, he is beginning to get a little insight into the secrets of oriental gardening, and with his long-standing interest in Zen Buddhism, Monty relishes the chance to visit the temple gardens of Japan. Finally, he crosses the Yellow Sea to Kyoto - Japan's city of gardens - to try to unravel its enigmatic Zen gardens with his new-found understanding.