A Study of the Classical Landscape at the Wang River Villa of Wang Wei

The landscape of Wang Wei's Wang River Villa is examined by reviewing the essays and papers written about the poetical collaboration, the “Wang River Collection.” The purpose of this paper is to clarify the meaning of villa architecture in China. The author expects that this research will contribute to a mutual understanding between cultures. The villa was a Utopia for Wang. On the other hand, he was a pious Buddhist and Buddhistic concepts are reflected in the landscape. I consider the features of the classical landscape of Xie Lingyun and "Chu Ci," as written in “The Collection,” a reflection of the Buddhistic concept. When considering what the classics meant to Wang Wei, it is apparent that his villa is a representation of the classical landscape. It is not an imitation of the classical landscape, but a unique and original creation of art by Wang.