Understanding the visual perception and environmental impressions of tourists’ experiences in Suzhou’s modern gardens in China

Focusing on the contemporary context, this study explores the artistic charm of modern Suzhou gardens in China. The research reveals that five major landscape elements (sky, water systems, tall vegetation, architecture, and small-scale landscape features) significantly influence visitors’ visual experiences, collectively constructing a unique visual aesthetic system of Suzhou gardens. The study also emphasizes three key factors affecting visitors’ overall experiential perception: (1) the serene and tranquil atmosphere, the diverse richness of landscape elements, and the deep integration with nature constitute the core essence of visitors’ perception of Suzhou gardens; (2) effective combination of sky, water, and tall vegetation create visually appealing spaces rich in natural beauty and artistic ambiance, enhancing sensory enjoyment; (3) areas dominated by mid-to-low-level vegetation and the main pathway structure of landscape zones face challenges like insufficient visual tension and weak rhythm, requiring optimization for future conservation. This study provides solid empirical evidence by delving into the development history of garden design concepts and practices in the modern period, offering valuable insights and reference strategies for the scientific and reasonable protection, interpretation, and inheritance of historical garden landscapes in the future.