To enter a Chinese Garden is a surprise, each step reveals something new and unexpected.  The garden itself is made up of many other gardens small and large. The visitor is lead through the garden by pebble-patterned walkways, open doorways, latticed windows and holes in walls. These allow just a glimpse of what else can be expected from the garden.  The main feature of a Chinese Garden is the rock and water structures. The next important feature would be the architecture and then the trees, shrubs, and flowers. 

     The Yin and the Yang are the two forces that the Chinese believe are responsible for all creation. The Yang is the masculine and is represented by the rocks. The Yin is the feminine and is represented by the smooth flowing water. Together these two forces become balanced in the garden creating a beautiful place to be. 

     The architecture is a key element in confusing the visitor into believing that the garden is much larger than it actually is. The types of structures that can be found are bridges, pavilions and sculptures. These structures are incorporated into the landscape so well that it actually deceives the visitor as to the size of the garden. This is done by holes in walls that look into other rooms of the garden and the winding paths that lead to different areas.

     The planting of trees, shrubs and flowers increases the layering effect of the space. The types of trees and shrubs that are used in a Chinese Garden depend on the area that you are dealing with. According to Chinese legend a garden is not complete without "The Three Friends of Winter"; pine, plum and bamboo. Plants that are used in Chinese Gardens have some type of symbolic or literary association involved with them. They do not choose a plant just because it looks pretty, but for the cultural aspect.