Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Greg, Texas — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:17:26 GMT

Who knew China had so many theme parks?

(I am only writing this to see if it is actually posted, as nothing I have ever written has been in the past.)

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

tony, Washington, DC — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:47:18 GMT

I think this a wonderful idea...a great gift to the country, a great gift to the world. A rediscovering of the forgotten past. Great Job!!!
I can't wait to see this.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

George, St. Louis, MO — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:50:55 GMT

I believe this is not the first time such a restoration proposal has been made for Yuan Ming Yuan. The money for the project really could have been spent on more useful purposes. Not to mention all the raw materials the project would need.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Jim Nontex. Fairbanks, AK — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:22:01 GMT

Greg, maybe what you have written in the past had very little value. I knew a Texan whose writing never appeared.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Roger Perryman. Hoptown, KY — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:22:03 GMT

and a hearty-WHO CARES! ! ! !

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Brian, Houston, TX — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:02:47 GMT

Wow i didn't know either Greg. I wonder how many we have in the United States? And I have never seen my self posted either.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

steve harding,kelso,wash — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:00:38 GMT

one better , who cares

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Nithya, Singapore — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:50:31 GMT

It does seem a bit unrealistic to rebuild it, when the burning itself represents something. Won't it make it look like that incident never happened before, when it is already etched in history?
Even if the rebuilding is justified, why build it so far away from the original site? All the more it won't mean anything if it is so far away. It just contradicts the reasons they give to buil it in the first place.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Sophia,Guangdong,China — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:25:17 GMT

China is a country with abundant cultural resources, but we need to do more to protect them, no just rebuild. Welcome to China.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Pamela,Beijing,China — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:27:52 GMT

Yes,I guess~~

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Jan, Edw., IL — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:27:24 GMT

Greg, I'm with you...who knew China had so many theme parks!!!??? (I, too, am interested in see my post.)

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Sandy Beech — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:45:59 GMT

Interesting story. It seems like China is headed the way of the u.s. where the desires of the few and rich take precidence over the needs of the many. Football stadiums are a prime example of that, a billion dollars to build the new cowboys's stadium destroying thousands of air-cleaning trees and evicting hundreds from their homes to benefit whom? Jerry Jones?

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Marie Devine, Kansas City, Missouri (MO) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:33:30 GMT

Gardens of Perfect Splendor sound like a wonderful idea. Consider a better way to do it without so great a cost and so limited an effect.

We are destroying our lives and land with our manufacturing and trade and enslaving our people.
What if the world, full of this understanding, would step away from this world system, and each person desire only to make a garden of perfect splender for their families, gardens where fruit trees and bushes greet any traveler, free for the eating. The beauty and freedom from growing fresh foods sufficient to share with travelers, guests and the poor would create a wonderful feeling of love and contentment. Sheep, goats, cows and chickens etc. would provide fresh milk and eggs to make wonderful foods, a gift for the whole family.

There would be activity and a united conversation in the beauty of their land for adults and children alike. The children would help and learn how to keep the garden. Families would stay together loving and caring easily for each other.

This can be our choice now, individually, or as nations. That is the desire and gift of the supreme God of creation for each and every one of us.

Marie Devine
http://www.divine-way.com

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:37:51 GMT

Truely a sad tale indeed. But of absolutly no importance what so ever. World history is full of stories of war,death,stealing,rape and a whole lot of hurt feelings. It will always be that way. We are animals genetically engineered to do that stuff over and over.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Gloria, Salt Lake City UT — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:16:39 GMT

Everyone benefits from beautiful surroundings. I can't think of anything more useful or worthwhile.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Brett Ashmeade-Hawkins — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:37:54 GMT

As an Architectural Historian I would prefer to see the original 18th Century Summer Palace and its world-famous formal gardens restored, rather than have a tacky Disney-type theme park built in its place. I'm sure that most intelligent people would agree.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Marion, Sarasota, Fl. — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:12:04 GMT

Better think "Green" when judging a project such as this. Much better type of tourist attraction than Disney Theme Pks. burning zillions of gallons of carbon emitting fuels while they run the rides and lighting. Have'nt read that they are installing solar panels on their un-used sunny acres either.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Li, MN — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:28:23 GMT

The Garden of Perfect Splendor? If you're looking for the real one, it cannot be seen nor touched, only sensed and enjoyed. For it lies in the mind, and duels in the heart of whom has peace, compassion and love. Don't look too far: it may lay there by your side or within you...serene, simple and beautiful.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Kitty Moline, Illinois — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:45:01 GMT

I would prefer that he spend the money on recreating the original at the original place.
Or just give the new spectacular garden a new name. In that I case i assume he won't be seeing as many charitable donations.
Still a neat project take on. Beats spending money on war.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Mr. Lee, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:33:19 GMT

As a Chinese I certainly oppose any effort to restore the garden at the original site. The ruins and shambles should stay as they have been for the past 100+ years to always remind the Chinese people of the humiliation for being the "sick man of East Asia". Then we as well as our children will always do our best to not suffer from such humiliation ever again.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

PKC, Canada — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:28:53 GMT

Having visited the Garden of Perfect Splendor, and being one of the only foreigners there, since it is not on the usual Beijing list of tourist destinations, I can say, personally, that it was a very moving experience. It needs no restoration or reconstruction. The Chinese government long ago decided to preserve the site as ruins only so that it would serve as a reminder to the nation of their humiliation at the hands of foreign invaders. As a foreigner visitor you cannot help but feel the intense sorrow and melancholy of the site, and it also serves as a reminder to the site's non-Chinese citizens of the horrors and insults of war that leave lasting scars on a country's soul. The current site resonates with its sad history and provides the viewer with an truly authentic experience that could never be achieved through a reconstructed or restores site, regardless of how tastefully done. There's a great little gem of a book titled, "The Necessity for Ruins," that sums up why we need and seek such places. They speak to what is human in us.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

tse, singapore — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:21:14 GMT

Why spend all the money on rebuilding when there are so many poor out there needing care?? If he's really a good farmer turned enterpreneur then he should know the importance of education... He should instead have his profit used for building schools and hospital for the rural areas

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Redds,Toledo,Ohio — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:52:39 GMT

I think it is a great idea. China is a beautiful country. A shame many other countries have plundered so much of it.

Remaking China's 'Garden of Perfect Splendor'

Jim Cobb, Memphis, Tenn — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:59:47 GMT

Pachek, there always this, as it's always been. To the Rightous belong the spoils of violent victory. The rest of us will have to make do with warm friends, warm lovers and a wink from a quietly supportive universe. Peace.