Abstract:Modern China represents a crucial transitional phase in the modernization of gardens, yet the contributions of women have often been overlooked due to historical factors. To deepen the exploration of female garden practices and enrich the study of female garden culture, this paper focuses on the representative modern city of Wuxi and its female community. Employing a combination of literature and visual analysis, the study examines the social context, design expression, and management of gardens by female garden owners, with particular attention to changes in their identities. Influenced by the ideals of equality and freedom, these women chose educational spaces as the foundation for their garden practices, incorporating modern educational content and new planning and design elements, thereby reflecting the complexities of this transitional period. They gradually asserted their identities, moving from the confines of private garden spaces into broader social spheres, independent of the male figures in their families. However, female garden practices at this time remained in an early stage, characterized by low participation and limited diversity. These activities can be viewed as a window into the socio-cultural development of the period, with the shift in women's self-perception holding significant historical importance.
