Landscaping by Medicinal Plants in the Creation of Fairyland in Chinese Royal Gardens

The creation of fairyland is an essential theme in Chinese royal gardens. As a representative of “celestial medicine”, medicinal plants have rich symbolic meanings and are an important element in the creation of fairyland theme and imagery. By studying related literature and paintings, this research analyzes the myths of Kunlun and Penglai, which are the origin of Chinese gardens, and combs the archetypes of medicinal plants originating in mythological fairylands and their symbolic meanings. Additionally, taking Xianglong Stone and Genyue Royal Garden in Song Dynasty, the Mountain Resort of Chengde and the Old Summer Palace in Qing Dynasty as examples, the research discusses how to use medicinal plants to complete detail and theme design, organize scene structure, and develop a systematic landscaping narrative. This research can help understand the integrity of fairyland creation in Chinese royal gardens from the perspective of medicinal plants, and provide reference for further research on the restoration of plants in obsolete gardens and for contemporary design of healthcare landscape.