1. Introduction
1.1. Historical Evolution: The Origin and Development of Suzhou Classical Gardens
Suzhou Traditional Gardens, also known as “Suzhou Classical Gardens” or simply “Suzhou Gardens”, originated in the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE) [1]. These gardens gradually developed through the Han (206 BCE–220 CE), Tang (618–907), Song (960–1279), and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties, reaching their peak during the Ming (14–17th century) and Qing (17–20th century) dynasties (Figure 1) [2]. As exemplary models of traditional Chinese green spaces, the number of gardens in Suzhou once exceeded one thousand in history. They not only significantly improved the microclimate of Suzhou City [3] but also optimized the natural environment and enhanced the quality of life for its citizens [4]. On a deeper level, the Suzhou gardens play a crucial role in spiritual healing and restoration within Chinese traditional culture, being regarded as an ethereal haven for the populace’s soul [5,6], reflecting their profound influence on Chinese cultural psychology and aesthetic traditions.
Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the concept of “unity between heaven and man” [7], which means that one must fully understand the laws of both oneself and nature, and thus conform to the laws of development in order to form a harmonious and unified whole [8]. This concept reflects the ancient people’s profound emotional connection with nature, their traditional way of survival that catered to nature, and their spiritual realm. The creation of Chinese classical gardens is based on this concept [9], where the first step is to fully understand nature, especially its laws, to feel nature, to draw upon the essence of the natural world for human use, and to achieve harmony and unity between man and nature. Under the guidance of this traditional concept, it is determined that Chinese classical gardens are created based on human perception and experience of nature [10,11].
The creation of Chinese classical gardens is based on the designer’s perception of nature, while the appreciator can initiate their understanding through sensory experiences, thereby triggering a moment of spiritual enlightenment and stimulating rational thought [12,13]. Psychological studies show that the most direct way people perceive the world is through sensory perception, which forms specific environmental psychological patterns in the consciousness through the cognition of landscapes [14,15]. Since the Tang Dynasty in China, classical gardens have evolved from mere imitation of nature to refining natural elements [16,17], incorporating the designer’s personal interests and contemporary cultural elements, thus forming a uniquely Chinese ’fairyland’ landscape with profound artistic conception and connotations. Today, as people visit classical Chinese gardens, they can still experience a profound spiritual and intellectual elevation.
To date, only about 53 classical gardens remain in Suzhou, with 9 of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, attracting millions of tourists both domestically and internationally each year [18]. With the conclusion of the pandemic, the demand for tourists visiting Suzhou’s gardens has significantly increased, highlighting their importance in the contemporary urban environment. According to statistics from the Suzhou Gardens and Greening Administration Bureau (source link), as of 2024, the Suzhou Garden scenic areas have cumulatively received 12.5147 million visitors. Additionally, data from the Suzhou Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau (source link) show that by 22 July, the classical garden scenic areas in Suzhou had received 143,200 foreign visitors, a year-on-year increase of 181.89%. These data not only reflect the global appeal of Suzhou Gardens but also highlight its significant status in the cultural and entertainment sectors, as well as their direct contribution to the regional economy.
1.2. The Healing Power of Green Spaces: Growing Academic Emphasis on Urban Green Spaces
Urban green spaces, as an important type of landscape, are increasingly attracting public attention and affection. This is not only due to the ecological improvement role of green spaces but also because of their positive impact on public happiness and well-being. The restorative effects of green spaces on both mental and physical health have been validated in numerous studies. The Kaplans proposed the Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that natural environments, through their “soft and particular attractions”, can effectively help people recover from fatigue caused by attentional depletion [19]. Similarly, Ulrich proposed the stress recovery theory, indicating that visual contact with natural elements can rapidly alleviate stress and enhance positive emotions [20].
In urban environments, these restorative benefits are particularly significant. For instance, studies have shown that spending at least 120 min per week in natural environments significantly improves people’s health and well-being [21]. Additionally, researchers have found that living in areas close to urban green spaces is significantly associated with lower incidence rates of depression and anxiety [22]. These studies indicate that green spaces, as spaces for ecological and psychological healing for residents, have been widely recognized and proven valuable internationally.
In this context, do the traditional Suzhou gardens, as a unique urban green space in China, also possess unique healing properties? Can these culturally rooted, intentionally designed green spaces provide new inspiration and references for contemporary Chinese healing landscape design? These are key questions worthy of further exploration.
1.3. Spiritual Healing and Urban Role: The Comprehensive Influence of Suzhou Gardens on Traditional Cultural Psychology and Urban Ecology
Faced with the issue of homogenization in the creation of urban landscapes in China [23,24], there is an urgent need for a shift in perception, particularly in the realm of therapeutic landscape design [25]. As globalization advances, while the expansion of Chinese cities has driven regional economic growth, it has also unavoidably marginalized or destroyed many historically valuable gardens in the process of urbanization [26,27,28]. Moreover, despite the introduction of numerous Western healing gardens and wellness parks into urban green spaces, a historical and cultural examination reveals that these health landscapes do not provide modern citizens with cultural healing and recuperation from a humanistic perspective [25,29].
In the context of contemporary urbanization and globalization, the traditional Chinese garden landscapes represented by the classical Suzhou gardens are not merely artistic expressions of the natural environment; they profoundly integrate humanistic sentiments and spiritual emotions [30]. Through their exquisite designs and rich cultural connotations, these gardens not only offer aesthetically pleasing and profoundly meaningful examples but also provide crucial references for addressing the cultural deficit in current landscape design and urban construction. They hold significant implications for the future development of the healing landscape industry [31].
In recent years, the academic community’s research on Suzhou Gardens has begun to unfold from various perspectives, reflecting the scholarly activity and diversity of the field. For instance, scholars like Zhang Miao have posited that garden landscapes have transitioned from traditional physical spaces to “spiritual homes” for citizens, exploring participatory design methods in traditional gardens [32]. Sun Minkai has conducted a quantitative comparison of different acoustic environments in Suzhou Gardens from a perspective of auditory perception [33]. Zhao Jingwei and others have compared the aesthetic quality of traditional Chinese gardens with urban parks to investigate public visual preferences in these recreational spaces [34]. Meanwhile, Xie Jing and Luo Shixian have analyzed preferences for different road settings and psychological resilience in Chinese classical gardens using convenience sampling methods [35]. Despite this, the majority of current studies focus on exploring the historical characteristics [36], design purposes [37], and aesthetic values [38] of Chinese traditional gardens through qualitative methods, often relying on literature reviews and theoretical reflections, and still lack sufficient quantitative data support. This study aims to investigate how the Suzhou gardens, as a unique urban green space in China, positively influence the psychological health of modern individuals while carrying rich historical and cultural significance. By applying text mining and content analysis methods, this study systematically conducts qualitative research on online evaluations of Suzhou Gardens and utilizes survey questionnaires to perform in-depth quantitative analysis of visitors’ garden preferences and the quality of psychological restoration. The specific purposes are as follows:
Text Mining and Content Analysis Methods for Public Emotional Perception and Cultural Identity of Suzhou Gardens.
Utilizing one-way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, key landscape elements of Suzhou traditional gardens affecting visitors’ emotional and cognitive responses were identified.
Based on the analysis results, a series of targeted design recommendations are proposed to optimize the landscape characteristics of the Suzhou gardens, enhance their healing functions, and reinforce their cultural and natural values.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Research Design
This study (Figure 2) explores the visual perception and restorative effects of Chinese traditional gardens by the public through two distinct approaches, employing different experimental setups and methods for obtaining perceptual responses, with the aim of comprehensively understanding the perceptual characteristics of the public towards classical Chinese gardens. Initially, the research team selected eight gardens in Suzhou with significant historical and cultural value as subjects of investigation, including the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden. Data collection was conducted through online reviews of these gardens on Ctrip, utilizing web crawler technology. The collected text data underwent content analysis using the ROST CM6 software, encompassing high-frequency word extraction and sentiment analysis, to uncover tourists’ core perceptions and emotional responses toward the gardens.
Furthermore, the study involves recording and editing real-life videos of these gardens, controlling environmental variables to ensure the content displayed is pure and consistent, for subsequent visual quality assessment and emotional impact testing. The research utilizes videos as experimental stimuli and employs survey questionnaires to evaluate the emotional healing effect of garden landscapes on subjects. Finally, data analysis is conducted using SPSS 20.0 software, including one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis, to determine the differences in healing dimensions among various gardens and their potential driving factors. This research approach provides a scientific foundation for understanding and optimizing the healing potential of gardens.
2.2. Data Sources and Sample Selection
2.2.1. Research Site
All data selected for this study originate from Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. The research investigated eight representative gardens (Figure 3), including the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, The Canglang Pavilion, Keyuan Garden, Garden of Harmony, Master of the Nets Garden, The Garden of Cultivation, and The Couple’s Garden, all renowned for their profound historical and cultural significance and unique design styles (Figure 4). Through text mining and the collection and analysis of visual materials from these gardens, the study aims to explore their emotional impact on the public in modern urban life.
2.2.2. Text Mining Research
The study collected online reviews from the Ctrip travel platform, which, as China’s leading online travel service provider [39,40,41], offers a rich source of firsthand data on public perceptions of Suzhou Gardens through user-generated comments [42]. The research team set keywords and scraped thousands of reviews about these gardens (reviews collected on the website as of August 2024). The content of these comments is included in the website platform, and all content was copied into documents, merged, and preprocessed to generate analytical text. Subsequently, tokenization, merging, and web text mining techniques were employed to uncover the modern visitor’s image perception of Suzhou Gardens.
The text mining method employed in this study primarily utilizes content analysis to investigate evaluation texts. Content analysis is a scientific research approach that reveals underlying meanings and trends through qualitative and quantitative analysis of textual content. This research predominantly employs the ROST CM6 software to perform text mining tasks, which filters out a large number of irrelevant morphemes, focusing instead on extracting high-frequency analytical words directly related to the research objectives. These high-frequency words reflect the public’s core perceptions and emotional responses towards Suzhou Gardens, providing accurate data support for understanding the perceptions of a broad tourist population. Additionally, the visualization graphical analysis feature of ROST CM6 further enhances the accuracy of sentiment analysis [43,44], enabling researchers to intuitively identify and analyze the emotional characteristics and perceptual factors of modern visitors toward Suzhou Gardens.
2.2.3. Stimulus
After conducting an in-depth analysis of public evaluations of gardens, this study further employed the method of recording and post-editing video footage to accurately represent the true landscape of Suzhou Gardens for quantitative research. By controlling uncontrollable variables such as crowds [45], the produced videos focus on showcasing the garden elements under study. In this way, the created videos not only maintain a consistent environmental setting, such as clear weather, but also detail the unique landscapes and design elements of each garden, as opposed to the usual noisy scenes. This approach to controlling environmental variables enables precise measurement of the impact of garden landscapes on viewers’ emotions and analysis of the contributions of different environmental features to healing effects.
Additionally, following the pandemic, video research has gradually evolved into a significant method for exploring the healing relationship between humans and their environment. Previous studies have demonstrated that videos serve as effective tools for investigating the impact of natural environments on human emotions [46,47]. For instance, Browning et al. found that both watching nature videos and direct outdoor experiences can effectively enhance mood and support psychological recovery [48]. Similarly, Zhao et al. studied the influence of different types of greenery on psychological restoration by creating and analyzing virtual road videos [49]. Meanwhile, Huang et al. explored the healing effects of landscape colors on individuals with sub-healthy mental states using digital roaming videos [50]. These studies demonstrate that video, as a research tool, can effectively simulate real-world environments, thereby accurately assessing the psychological benefits of landscape design under conditions free from external disturbances.
In this study, the videos produced were used as visual stimulus materials in experiments to evaluate and compare the visual healing effects of the traditional Suzhou gardens. Various self-report scales, such as the Restoration Components Scale (RCS) [51], Perceived Restoration Characteristics Questionnaire (PRCQ) [52], and Perceived Restoration Scale (PRS) [53], were introduced using quantitative methods to measure the visual healing effects of the traditional Suzhou gardens. This research measured the emotional, physiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses of viewers to the garden landscapes in the videos. To ensure the validity of the questionnaires and mitigate participant fatigue, a Short-version Revised Restoration and Preference Scale [54] was employed (Table 1), with the entire completion process lasting no more than 15 min to streamline data collection and maintain a high response rate. The Short-version Revised Restoration and Preference Scale consists of eight items, describing values corresponding to emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions, which are considered therapeutic elements [55]. The subjects of the study were undergraduate students from universities, who were invited to watch experimental videos in a closed classroom and answer paper-based questionnaires. Based on existing research, this study indicates that students’ preferences for landscape architecture do not significantly differ from the general public, making them suitable representatives for evaluating landscape aesthetics and therapeutic effects. In this study, eight different garden videos were produced and utilized, resulting in the collection of 1288 questionnaires, of which 1113 were deemed valid, yielding an effective response rate of 86.4%. It is noteworthy that no socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were collected, as this was not the aim of the study. All research activities have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Soochow University on 2 May 2024, ensuring the ethical compliance of the research.
2.2.4. Judgement Based on Landscape Characteristics
This study aims to construct a comprehensive model on the quality of landscape features and their restorative effects, delving into the healing potential of Suzhou Gardens through quantitative and qualitative analyses, facilitated by expert rating methods. Five experts in the field of landscape architecture, including designers and academic researchers, were invited to view and evaluate video footage of Suzhou Gardens. They assessed the landscape features in the videos according to the “Landscape Character Assessment Scale” (Table 2). Each evaluation was matched with a corresponding score, and the average of all evaluations was calculated to determine the final score for each feature. This approach minimizes variations in individual evaluation criteria, eliminating the need for reference to mental imagery and thereby simplifying the assessment process. Respondents are asked to complete the questionnaires individually, with the score for a video being determined by the average score of all respondents.
2.2.5. Statistical Analysis Methods
In this study, to evaluate and compare the healing dimensions of different gardens, statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 to ensure the statistical significance of the results. A one-way ANOVA, a statistical method for handling completely randomized designs, was employed. Through this method, subjects were randomly assigned to different garden treatment groups. The aim of the analysis was to compare the mean differences in healing dimensions among the groups, thereby assessing the potential impact of various garden environments on the healing emotions of the respondents. Based on the analysis of variance with a single factor, this study further conducted correlation analysis to explore the interrelationships among different variables. Correlation analysis primarily focuses on the degree of association between two or more variables, including their direction of correlation and the magnitude of the correlation coefficient. In this study, correlation analysis was employed to identify which specific garden features or design elements have significant correlations with the dimensions of healing emotions experienced by the respondents.
3. Result
3.1. Text Analysis Results
3.1.1. Cognitive Analysis Based on High-Frequency Word Statistics
As we delve deeper into the analysis of the review texts, it becomes evident that frequent mentions of specific elements within the garden often signify their significant role in the visitors’ experience, thereby eliciting profound emotional responses. This phenomenon not only reflects a high degree of identification with the garden elements by the visitors but also signifies the formation of consensus. In the field of landscape healing research, we consider the visitors’ attitude towards garden elements as one of the cognitive factors that construct their experience. An increase in the frequency of mentions in the reviews typically indicates a deeper cognitive engagement with these elements, while also more accurately reflecting the visitors’ emotional preferences. The diverse elements of Suzhou Gardens are key to their appeal and play a crucial role in evoking emotional responses from visitors. This study, by analyzing high-frequency words related to emotional perception, has compiled the emotional perceptions of visitors towards the attractions in Suzhou Gardens, as shown in the table below (Table 3). These data not only offer insights into how landscape elements leave a lasting impression on visitors’ minds but also lay the groundwork for further exploration of the connection between landscape design and emotional healing.
In meticulous semantic analysis, visitors’ perceptions of Suzhou Gardens primarily revolve around core vocabulary such as “garden”, “scenery”, and “landscape”. Expressions like “delicate”, “worth”, “classical”, “exquisite”, and “bridges over flowing water” constitute the immediate visual impressions of the gardens, revealing their profound cultural heritage and highlighting the cultural and aesthetic charm of Suzhou Gardens. The flowing water bridge in Suzhou Gardens, such as the “Small Flying Rainbow” corridor bridge in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, takes its name from the Southern Dynasties poet Bao Zhao’s verse “The Flying Rainbow gazes upon the Qin River, playing lightly in the mist”, not only emphasizing aesthetics in design but also reflecting the philosophical thoughts of ancient garden design. Descriptions such as “twisted paths leading to tranquility” and “winding” convey the unique visual layering of the gardens, reflecting the careful layout of landscape layers in the design. This evaluation of specific landscape features highlights its crucial role in eliciting emotional responses from visitors. Upon entering the garden, visitors’ attention typically focuses on key elements such as “rockery”, “pavilions”, “architecture”, “window”, “pavilions and towers”, “pond”, “pond water”, and “gardens”. These elements dominate visitors’ attention, not only showcasing the ingenuity of garden design and its rich natural cultural connotations but also providing profound visual enjoyment and psychological delight to visitors, as commonly expressed in evaluations with terms like “satisfaction”, “pleasant”, and “worthwhile”. Additionally, unique landscape elements or activities in each distinctive garden are often mentioned, such as “night tour”, “Pingtan (a form of storytelling and ballad singing)”, and “Peony Pavilion” in the Master of the Nets Garden, “Taihu stones”, “bonsai”, and “exotic rocks” in the Lingering Garden, “wedding photos” in the Couple’s Garden, and “Mandarin ducks” in the Keyuan Garden. These terms not only reflect the unique characteristics of different gardens but also highlight their appeal and diversity
Overall, the majority of morphemes indicate a positive attitude among visitors towards Suzhou Gardens, emphasizing its significant role in visual pleasure and psychological satisfaction, and revealing a close connection between the unique elements of the gardens and positive emotional responses. However, neutral or negative morphemes such as “not large” and “regrettable” also point out areas for improvement in garden design, indicating the need to better meet visitors’ expectations for spatial awareness and novelty. Notably, the appearance of words like “photograph”, “tour”, “stroll”, and “contentment” suggests that Suzhou Gardens contributes to creating a relaxed and enjoyable leisure experience, effectively relieving stress and providing a space for physical and mental relaxation for visitors. Meanwhile, emotionally rich words such as “pleasant”, “tranquil”, “Allure”, and “nourishing the heart”, vividly highlight the potential psychological healing functions of the Suzhou Gardens. Unique elements within specific gardens, such as night tour” and “bonsai”, further enhance their appeal and distinctiveness. This diversity aligns with the study of landscape architecture, where the richness of human elements often correlates with higher visitor engagement and stronger emotional connections. Overall, the gardens of Suzhou are not just a feast for the eyes and culture but also a healing space away from the hustle and bustle, where their profound cultural heritage and unique landscape design together create unforgettable experiences for visitors.
3.1.2. Analysis of Sentiment Tendency in Evaluative Texts
The emotional evaluation reflects the inclination of people to experience either fondness or aversion after visiting Suzhou Gardens [56]. By analyzing the emotional content, we can reveal the factors that influence the emotional experiences associated with different garden elements. This study employs emotional analysis methods to meticulously examine online texts from visitors to Suzhou Gardens and presents the results in tabular form (Table 4). In terms of sentiment inclination, overall, positive emotional evaluations of Suzhou Gardens significantly outnumber negative ones, with positive emotions generally dominating across all gardens. Among them, the positive emotion ratio of the Master of Nets Garden is the highest, reaching 77.57%, while that of the Garden of Cultivation is the highest in terms of negative emotions, at 29.44%. This difference highlights the significant role of garden design and emotional restoration in shaping tourists’ perceptions. Interestingly, gardens with expansive visual effects, rich landscape elements, and open views often receive higher positive evaluations. For example, the high proportion of positive emotions in the Master of Nets Garden may be closely related to its open space layout and immersive night tour experience. In contrast, gardens with dense vegetation or restricted paths (such as the Garden of Cultivation) may elicit more complex emotional responses. In terms of emotional intensity, moderate positive emotions dominate, while moderate negative emotions are also common. This indicates that although the overall emotional inclination leans towards positivity, visitors still experience a certain proportion of neutral and negative emotions during their visits. These data not only provide a basis for a deeper understanding of the emotional aspects of garden visits but also offer significant references for optimizing garden design and enhancing the quality of the visiting experience.
3.2. Results of Statistical Analysis on User Perception Survey Questionnaire
3.2.1. Reliability Analysis
This study primarily relies on the standardized Cronbach’s Alpha to assess the interclass reliability of the spiritual recovery scores and their respective dimension item scores of the traditional Suzhou gardens. The results indicate that the overall reliability test, with a Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.787, demonstrates good internal consistency reliability for the study. This value falls within the generally accepted range (0.7–0.9), indicating a high level of reliability for the questionnaire as a whole [57,58].
3.2.2. Comparative Perception of Restorative Effects Between Gardens
The study unveiled significant insights into the varying quality of garden restoration and the scores of its constituent dimensions, with a particular emphasis on the emotional and cognitive dimensions across different gardens and their influencing factors (Figure 5). The findings indicate that gardens with rich and diverse elements, expansive visual scales, and fewer dense vegetation arrangements generally foster higher restorative experiences. These observations align with established principles in landscape architecture, which emphasize the importance of openness, variety, and simplicity in enhancing visitor satisfaction. Firstly, the emotional dimension scored the highest (Mean Score = 6.7451) and exhibited significant differences in a one-way ANOVA (p = 0.048). This indicates that the emotional restoration capabilities of different gardens vary notably, likely due to differences in design and environmental settings. For instance, gardens such as the Master of the Nets Garden, with carefully crafted “delicate” views and immersive features like night tours, demonstrate exceptional emotional restoration effects. In contrast, gardens with dense vegetation or constrained spatial layouts, such as the Garden of Cultivation, may evoke more mixed emotional responses. The standard deviation for physiological dimension scores is relatively large (SD = 2.45167), indicating significant variability in physiological recovery responses across different gardens and high data dispersion. This suggests that physiological restoration is influenced not only by visual landscape factors but also by other environmental elements such as sound, scent, and temperature, which may vary considerably between gardens. The average score of the cognitive dimension is relatively high (Mean Score = 6.3633), and it also shows significant differences in the one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.017). This indicates that there are significant differences in the ability of different gardens to provide cognitive restoration, which may be related to the spatial layout of the gardens, visual openness, and interaction with natural elements. Cognitive restoration often involves engaging the visitor’s sense of exploration and discovery through spatial transitions, a hallmark of traditional Chinese garden design, where layered “step-by-step” views guide the experience. Overall, these findings underscore the critical importance of emotional and cognitive dimensions in garden design, significantly affecting visitors’ overall restorative experiences. However, it is essential to balance these design considerations with the conservation of historical authenticity, ensuring that restoration and maintenance efforts do not compromise the unique traditional character and cultural significance of each garden.
3.2.3. Correlation Analysis Between Restorative Perception Effects of Different Gardens and Landscape Features as Perceived by the Respondents
By further employing Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we can delve into the relationship between spatial design factors and emotional perception (Figure 6). The results revealed that gardens with diverse landscape elements, such as varied vegetation, water bodies, and rockeries, exhibited a highly significant positive correlation with healing emotional dimensions. This suggests that gardens with a richer variety of elements, such as diverse vegetation, water bodies, and rockeries, tend to positively influence the emotions of visitors and enhance their healing experiences. Additionally, the healing cognitive dimensions of traditional gardens exhibit a significant positive correlation with the visual scale of the gardens. This implies that more open space designs, such as expansive views and fewer visual obstructions, can enhance people’s sense of healing cognition. These findings support the principle that “delicate” yet open spatial arrangements, a core feature of traditional Chinese gardens, are essential for creating restorative experiences. In contrast, a negative correlation is observed with green space types, indicating that when the complexity of vegetation arrangement is high in green spaces, it may diminish the healing cognitive experience of visitors. This aligns with existing literature, which highlights that dense vegetation can create feelings of restriction or claustrophobia, reducing the perceived openness and psychological freedom necessary for optimal healing experiences [59,60]. These correlations provide a robust foundation for future environment-psychological evaluations, emphasizing the need to carefully balance design enhancements with the conservation of historical elements. For traditional Chinese gardens, the authenticity of space forms, border treatments, and visual variety should be preserved during restoration efforts to maintain their cultural integrity while enhancing their restorative potential.
4. Discussion
4.1. Discussion Derived from Text Mining Methods
The comprehensive text analysis reveals that the Master of Nets Garden exhibits the highest level of positive sentiment among the evaluated texts. By analyzing and comparing the positive emotional outcomes of the Master of Nets Garden with other gardens, the study concludes that both material and non-material landscape intentions collectively contribute to the construction of positive emotions in the Master of Nets Garden. Notably, visitors pay significantly more attention to the non-material aspects of the garden than to the material ones. Referring to the previous frequency analysis of words related to the Master of Nets Garden, “night tour” ranks as the most frequent term after the core elements “garden” and “Suzhou”. The Master of Nets Night Garden was established in 1990 as Suzhou’s longest-running night garden brand. Over the years, through cultural heritage and development, it has evolved into a unique style that harmoniously blends classical and modern elements, integrates garden landscapes with theatrical performances, and beautifully combines tangible world heritage with intangible cultural heritage [61]. The “night tour” experience, with its nighttime lighting design, Kunqu Opera performances, and Pingtan shows, enriches the cultural essence of the garden and offers visitors a unique multisensory experience Analysis reveals that high-frequency terms such as “Night Tour”, “opera” and “Kunqu Opera”, indicate that these evening activities significantly enhance visitors’ satisfaction and emotional engagement. Moreover, these cultural performances integrate traditional Suzhou art forms, particularly Kunqu Opera and Pingtan, allowing visitors to deeply experience the culture of the Jiangnan region. These activities not only attract tourists but also align with the concept of place attachment, where immersive cultural experiences deepen emotional connections to the space [62]. Words like “appreciation”, “pleasantness”, and “worthwhile” reflect the immersive and satisfying experiences of visitors during these activities, significantly enhancing the positive emotions associated with the Master of Nets Garden. This fusion of natural and cultural elements underscores the role of gardens in promoting restorative and pleasurable well-being. From a spatial design perspective, the Master of Nets Garden achieves a “delicate” effect through its compact but intricate layout, where scenes change with each step, creating a sense of discovery and balance. Terms such as “delicate”, “small bridge over flowing water”, and “staggered and orderly” highlight how the spatial design promotes visual interest and emotional engagement. The tranquility and serenity of the environment are also key factors contributing to the highest proportion of positive emotions in the Master of Nets Garden. Research indicates that certain landscape elements can evoke positive emotional experiences in visitors. For instance, the Master of Nets Garden integrates natural elements such as flowers, trees, rockeries, and ponds with architectural features like pavilions, terraces, and curved bridges, along with meticulous design details (such as “building materials”, “plant arrangement”, and “lighting design”), collectively creating a garden space of high artistic and cultural value. Appleton’s prospect-refuge theory provides a perspective for understanding this design, where alternating open and sheltered areas both stimulate exploration and ensure psychological comfort [63]. Visitor feedback reinforces this dynamic, with terms like “bridges over streams” and “orderly disorder” frequently emphasizing the visual rhythm and spatial coherence of the garden. Additionally, Hartig’s restorative environment model identifies “compatibility” as a key component of restorative environments, which is exemplified in the seamless integration of architectural elements (such as pavilions and bridges) with natural features (such as ponds and rockeries) [64]. Therefore, the design of the Master of the Nets Garden offers rich visual enjoyment, while the nighttime cultural activities provide visitors with deep-seated pleasure and relaxation on the auditory and mental levels. This integration provides visitors with a comprehensive multisensory experience that effectively alleviates psychological stress and enhances the restorative effects of the garden. These words associated with positive emotions and engaging activities illustrate the emotional release and psychological relaxation experienced by visitors in the Master of the Nets Garden, which is a key reason it is considered the garden with the highest level of positive emotions.
Subsequently, the study found that the Garden of Cultivation had the highest proportion of negative emotions in the evaluation texts among all samples. By comparing the negative emotional expressions of the Garden of Cultivation with those of other gardens, several key factors emerged. Firstly, the phrase “not very big” expressed a sense of disappointment among visitors regarding the size of the Garden of Cultivation, implying their expectation of a broader space to explore. Secondly, “What a pity” and “Hard to find” reflected the challenges visitors faced in locating specific landscape elements. Lynch emphasized in his theory of spatial legibility that intuitive wayfinding abilities and clear spatial layouts are crucial for enhancing user experience [65], despite the decorative elements, though beautifully designed, being difficult to locate, which increases visitor frustration. At the same time, words like “hidden” and “concealed” may add an air of mystery to the garden but can also lead to navigational difficulties, making exploration laborious for visitors and potentially triggering negative emotions. This highlights the importance of ensuring clear wayfinding and a sense of spatial openness, allowing visitors to feel both secure and oriented while exploring. The term “noisy” suggests that the environment of the garden might not be as tranquil and comfortable as expected, possibly due to external noise intrusion or excessive foot traffic within the garden, which contrasts with the serene and peaceful experience visitors seek. This discrepancy in the expected environment could especially affect those looking for quiet and relaxing spaces, further deepening their negative emotions. Therefore, to address these issues, improvements in the design of “the Garden of Cultivation” and similar gardens potentially facing the same challenges can focus on:
Optimizing path design to encourage exploration while maintaining navigational ease, ensuring visitors feel both safe and oriented.
Implementing sound mitigation strategies, such as introducing water features or strategically placing dense vegetation to isolate external noise and maintain a serene atmosphere.
Dynamically adjust spatial layouts to more effectively manage visitor flow, and prevent overcrowding, while maintaining the garden’s intimate scale. These interventions will align with adaptive design principles, emphasizing the protection of the garden’s historical integrity while responding to evolving user needs.
4.2. Discussion Based on Survey Questionnaires and Correlation Analysis
In the field of landscape design and psychological healing research, the interaction between spatial design and emotional perception is a significant research topic [66]. Utilizing Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, this study explores how spatial design elements in traditional gardens influence the healing dimensions of emotion and cognition, providing important theoretical support and empirical evidence for therapeutic landscape design. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between the diversity of landscape elements in gardens and the healing dimensions of emotion. According to environmental psychology theory, diverse natural environments can stimulate individuals’ sense of exploration and engagement. The biophilic design theory emphasizes that the diversity of nature and architectural elements enhances human well-being by promoting multisensory engagement and strengthening the connection between individuals and their environment [67]. The richness of such environments can trigger a broader range of emotional responses and elicit positive psychological states [19]. For instance, diverse vegetation, water bodies, and rockeries not only offer visual pleasure but also enhance the emotional engagement of visitors through multisensory experiences involving sound, touch, and scent. This emotional engagement is a crucial component of the healing experience, as it aids in stress reduction and promotes psychological recovery. These findings align with the concept of “coherence” proposed by the Kaplans, which suggests that environments that are both orderly and stimulating are conducive to cognitive and emotional restoration [68].
Secondly, the study found a significant positive correlation between the healing cognitive dimensions of traditional gardens and the visual scale of the gardens. Open space designs, such as expansive views and fewer visual obstructions, can enhance individuals’ healing cognitive perceptions. This finding aligns with the “landscape openness” theory in environmental psychology, which posits that open views can provide a sense of safety and freedom, thereby promoting psychological relaxation and pleasure [69]. The open visual scale not only allows people to gaze into the distance and expand their horizons but also contributes to psychological “liberation”, an important psychological mechanism in the healing process. However, an intriguing finding in the research is the negative correlation observed with green space types, suggesting that high complexity in vegetation arrangement may reduce the healing cognitive experiences of visitors. This could be due to the fact that overly complex or dense vegetation can make people feel restricted in space, lacking “escape routes”, and thus induce a sense of psychological oppression [70]. Studies have shown that visual clutter increases cognitive load, reduces perceived safety, and lowers psychological comfort [71]. This sensation may influence an individual’s emotional state, reducing perceived safety and freedom, thereby negatively impacting the healing experience. Therefore, the configuration of vegetation in landscape design requires appropriate control to avoid over-denseness and overly complex layouts, ensuring that it provides sufficient privacy without inducing a sense of oppression.
Thus, these findings underscore the necessity of integrating the diversity of landscape elements, the openness of space, and the rational arrangement of vegetation in the design of healing landscapes. Through meticulous design, the healing potential of gardens can be maximized, providing visitors with a therapeutic environment that meets psychological recovery needs while also aligning with aesthetic and cultural values. These insights provide a scientific basis for the optimization of future landscape design, contributing to the advancement of more humanized and functional landscape design practices.
5. Conclusions
5.1. Research Summary
In the exploration of the healing design of traditional gardens, the application of comprehensive text analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis provides significant insights into understanding visitors’ evaluations of Suzhou’s traditional gardens, revealing the central role of environmental design factors in enhancing the healing experience. This study, through detailed analysis of visitor feedback and statistical data, further confirms the importance of natural and cultural elements in landscape design and offers specific suggestions on how to optimize design to enhance healing effects. The research emphasizes the central role of natural elements in the design of healing landscapes. From “plum blossoms” to “orchids”, and then to “lotus flowers” as well as animal elements such as “mandarin ducks”, these natural components not only enrich the ecological diversity of gardens but also provide visitors with a rich sensory experience. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis further shows a significant positive correlation between the diversity of landscape elements in gardens and the dimensions of emotional healing. This indicates that diverse vegetation, water bodies, and artificial hills and other natural elements can effectively enhance visitors’ emotional responses and healing experiences. By designing gardens that incorporate a variety of visually and culturally engaging elements, landscape architects can foster more restorative and satisfying visitor experiences.
In response to negative evaluations, such as “not very big”, “regrettable”, “what a pity”, “hidden”, “concealed”, and “noisy” in the context of the Garden of Cultivation, it is recommended that landscape architects should optimize through the following strategies:
Enhancing Navigation Experience and Signage System: Adding clear directional signs and informational boards to assist tourists in easily locating various attractions, while reducing instances of becoming lost and feelings of frustration. For protected historical gardens, alternative strategies such as interactive guides, augmented reality tools, or mobile apps could be introduced to help visitors navigate while preserving the integrity of the historical environment.
Space Optimization and Improved Visual Transparency: Utilizing visual perspective and spatial layering techniques to create open and inviting landscapes that can achieve a “small yet vast” effect even within limited spaces. Drawing on principles from environmental psychology, design that provides wide, bright views can help visitors feel calm, relaxed, and secure.
Enhancing Tranquility and Soundproofing Design: Implementing natural sound barriers such as bamboo groves, water features, or dense vegetation to reduce external noise disturbances, providing tourists with a more peaceful resting environment. Attention must also be given to balancing vegetation density to avoid creating a sense of spatial restriction or psychological oppression while ensuring visual and acoustic comfort.
Secondly, the integration of cultural and historical elements is an indispensable part of modern landscape design. The emphasis on “secluded”, and “tranquillity” in gardens, along with the frequent use of terms like “allusion”, “atmosphere”, and “allure”, not only indicates a deep expectation from visitors for the cultural and historical heritage of gardens, but also suggests that designers should incorporate more cultural and historical elements in healing designs. Such design not only enhances the cultural experience for visitors but also elevates the educational value and emotional depth of the gardens.
Pearson correlation analysis further revealed a significant positive correlation between the healing cognitive dimensions of traditional gardens and their visual scales. This indicates that more open spatial designs, characterized by expansive views and fewer visual obstructions, contribute to enhancing visitors’ healing perceptions. However, a negative correlation was observed with the types of green spaces, suggesting that a higher complexity in vegetation arrangement may diminish the healing experiences of visitors. Therefore, vegetation configuration in garden design needs to be carefully managed to avoid excessive density and overly complex layouts, ensuring both adequate privacy and a lack of oppressive sensations.
This study, through text mining and evaluation methods, conducted an in-depth examination of the environmental psychology and healing effects of the historical garden clusters in Suzhou, validating three core propositions of environmental psychology. Firstly, the diversity and richness of landscape elements significantly enhance visitors’ well-being, with this diversity stimulating visitors’ exploration interest and effectively alleviating psychological stress through multi-sensory integration, including visual and auditory experiences. Secondly, open and bright views create a calm, relaxed, and secure psychological environment, enhancing feelings of mental recovery by reducing cognitive load. Finally, the research found that overly complex or dense vegetation layouts can make people feel confined or oppressed, emphasizing the need for a balance between the privacy of vegetation and the permeability of space in design. The above conclusions not only provide empirical support for the healing functions of traditional gardens but also offer theoretical guidance and practical references for modern environmental and landscape design. By synthesizing these analyses and research findings, this study offers profound insights and practical guidance for the design of healing gardens and modern urban green spaces. Integrating innovative and traditional elements, along with meticulously planned garden paths and landscape layouts, can significantly enhance the garden’s appeal and provide visitors with positive emotional experiences, effectively alleviating the psychological stress of modern individuals and comprehensively improving the healing effects of the garden. This research not only highlights the value of traditional gardens as exemplary models of therapeutic design but also provides a significant reference framework and developmental direction for future landscape design.
5.2. Contributions and Limitations of the Study
The study explored the emotional perception and healing effects of Suzhou Gardens on modern individuals, revealing the correlation between garden characteristics and psychological perception recovery through the comprehensive application of text mining and experimental video analysis. Although the research provided valuable insights and highlighted the potential of garden design in enhancing public welfare, there were still some limitations, which offer important implications for future research directions:
The choice of data sources is insufficient, as this study primarily relies on evaluation texts from Ctrip, which may not fully capture all perspectives and experiences of the public regarding traditional gardens in Suzhou. Future research should adopt a multi-channel data collection strategy (such as platforms like Dianping or social media such as Weibo) combined with multi-level feedback to gain a more comprehensive perspective.
Although ROST CM6 offers powerful text analysis capabilities, there are still limitations in the accuracy and depth of sentiment analysis, particularly in understanding deeply cultural or context-specific emotional expressions. Future research could consider employing the SO-OMI algorithm (Semantic Orientation Pointwise Mutual Information) to construct a domain-specific sentiment lexicon for garden landscapes through model training for sentiment analysis, or combining it with qualitative analysis to enhance the accuracy and depth of sentiment interpretation.
Although this study explored the healing and restorative properties of the traditional Suzhou gardens, it did not delve deeply into how different historical contexts, functional objectives, and design intents specifically influence the intensity of their restorative effects, which may lead to limitations in understanding these gardens’ healing characteristics. Future research could begin with the historical evolution, functional requirements, and design philosophies of gardens, combining more advanced methods to systematically reveal the underlying mechanisms by which these factors affect the strength of restorative properties. This would provide a more scientifically and culturally integrated theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the preservation of traditional gardens and the design of modern gardens.
In questionnaire-based research, the lack of socio-demographic data collection precludes an exploration of background factors’ impact on survey results. Although this was not the primary focus of the study, the absence of such data may limit the depth and generalizability of the findings. Given the profound influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceptions of Suzhou Gardens and urban green spaces, understanding the composition of visitors could provide valuable insights into their experiences and preferences. Future research should consider expanding the study sample to include different socio-demographic groups and explore how these variables influence survey results, thereby enhancing the robustness and relevance of the findings.
Additionally, while the use of video as an experimental material in this study offers certain advantages in controlling experimental conditions, it may not fully replicate the multisensory experience of real gardens. Consequently, the experimental results may lack ecological validity to some extent. Future research could explore methods such as immersive virtual reality technology to more authentically simulate garden environments and enhance the practical significance of the research.
Conceptualization, methodology, data curation, and writing—original draft preparation, Z.Z.; supervision, writing—review and editing, and formal analysis, Z.Z., M.J., X.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Soochow University (Approval Code: NO.SUDA20240502H08) on 2 May 2024.
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Footnotes
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
Enlarge this image.Figure 1. Timeline of the historical background of Suzhou Gardens and features of some classic gardens. The figure was collated and drawn by the author, with data sourced from the Catalogue of Suzhou Gardens under the Suzhou Garden and Greening Administration Bureau of China. (https://ylj.suzhou.gov.cn/, accessed on 25 September 2024).
Enlarge this image.Figure 4. Selected eight garden historical background timelines and their garden features. The information is sourced from the Suzhou Garden directory published by the Suzhou Municipal Garden and Greening Administration. (https://ylj.suzhou.gov.cn/, accessed on 25 September 2024).
Enlarge this image.Figure 5. Mean scores of restoration effect for different traditional Suzhou gardens and their four components (±Standard Error).
Enlarge this image.Figure 6. Correlation heatmap analysis of emotional and cognitive dimensions of restorative perception effects among respondents in different gardens with landscape features.
Short-version revised restoration and preference scale.
| (F1) When You Are in the Video Scene, How Would You Describe Your Emotional Response? | |||
| V1 | Grouchy | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | Good-natured |
| (very much) | (very much) | ||
| V2 | Anxious | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | Relaxed |
| (very much) | (very much) | ||
| (F2) When you are in the video scene, how would you describe your physiological response? | |||
| V3 | My breathing is becoming faster. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
| V4 | My hands are sweating. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
| (F3) When you are in the video scene, how would you describe your cognitive response? | |||
| V5 | I am interested in the presented scene. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
| V6 | I feel attentive to the presented scene. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
| (F4) When you are in the video scene, how would you describe your behavioral response? | |||
| V7 | I want to visit here more often. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
| V8 | I want to stay here longer. | ||
| (not at all) | 1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9 | (very much so) | |
Landscape character assessment scale.
| Landscape Characteristics | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Number of landscape elements | Single element | Relatively simple elements | Relatively rich landscape elements | Rich landscape elements |
| Ratio of rockery in the video | No rockery | <35% | 36–70% | 71–100% |
| Mobility of water | No water | Static | Flowing | Fast running (waterfall) |
| Plant age | Budding | Vigorous and lush | Ancient trunks | |
| The coverage of cultural architecture | No buildings | <35% | 36–70% | 71–100% |
| Visual scale | Closed space | Semi-open space | Open space | |
| Number of colors | One | Two | Three | Four |
| Percentage of land covered by vegetation | No vegetation | <35% | 36–70% | 71–100% |
| Type of land vegetation | No vegetation | Grasses or (and) shrubs | Only trees or trees with grass | Mixed vegetation |
| The naturalness of land vegetation | No vegetation | Orderly configuration | Semi-natural configuration | Natural configuration |
| Water quality (by visual observation) | No water | Bad | Moderate | Clear |
| Type of bank | Hard wall as bank | Somewhat hard bank | Semi-natural bank | Natural bank |
| Terrain | Almost flat | Slightly undulating | Undulating | |
| Path tortuous degree | Almost straight | Slightly zigzag | Zigzag | |
| Accessibility of water | No water | Difficult to access | Neutral to access | Easy to access |
Evaluation text high-frequency word analysis (partial).
| No. | Vocabulary | Frequency | Tags | No. | Vocabulary | Frequency | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Garden | 243 | Elements | 5 | Architecture | 109 | Elements |
| 1 | Scenery | 82 | Elements | 5 | Rockery | 82 | Elements |
| 1 | Worthwhile | 43 | Feelings | 5 | Lighting | 66 | Elements |
| 1 | Rockery | 18 | Elements | 5 | Allure | 52 | Feelings |
| 1 | Delicately Charming | 15 | Feelings | 5 | Delicate | 42 | Feelings |
| 1 | Plum Blossoms | 11 | Elements | 5 | Opera | 35 | Activity |
| 1 | Mandarin Ducks | 8 | Sensory | 5 | Pleasantness | 33 | Feelings |
| 1 | Atmosphere | 7 | Sensory | 5 | Peony Pavilion | 32 | Elements |
| 1 | Orchids | 6 | Elements | 5 | Atmosphere | 34 | Sensory |
| 1 | Bridge Over Flowing Water | 6 | Elements | 5 | Tranquility | 26 | Feelings |
| 1 | Orchids | 6 | Elements | 5 | Small Bridge Over Flowing Water | 24 | Sensory |
| 1 | Pleasant | 4 | Feelings | 5 | Kunqu Opera | 24 | Activity |
| 1 | Pond | 3 | Elements | 5 | Staggered and orderly | 20 | Feelings |
| 2 | Worthy | 260 | Feelings | 6 | Scenery | 177 | Feelings |
| 2 | Pavilions and Towers | 67 | Elements | 6 | Worth | 117 | Feelings |
| 2 | Exquisite | 61 | Feelings | 6 | Exquisite | 114 | Feelings |
| 2 | Pleasant | 60 | Feelings | 6 | Pingtan (a traditional Chinese art form) | 42 | Activity |
| 2 | Allure | 42 | Feelings | 6 | Architecture | 48 | Elements |
| 2 | Worthy of the Name | 36 | Feelings | 6 | History | 24 | Elements |
| 2 | Bridge over Flowing Water | 34 | Elements | 6 | Small Bridge Over Flowing Water | 27 | Sensory |
| 2 | Rockery | 33 | Elements | 6 | Delicately Small | 16 | Feelings |
| 2 | Allusion | 27 | Humanistic Implications | 6 | Stroll | 13 | Activity |
| 2 | Night Tour | 23 | Activity | 6 | Allusion | 11 | Elements |
| 3 | Delicate | 75 | Feelings | 6 | Wedding Photos | 11 | Activity |
| 3 | Scenery | 65 | Elements | 6 | Pleasant | 10 | Feelings |
| 3 | Worthwhile | 57 | Feelings | 6 | Allure | 10 | Feelings |
| 3 | Not Very Big | 31 | Feelings | 6 | Satisfaction | 10 | Feelings |
| 3 | Classical | 15 | Humanistic Implications | 6 | Atmosphere | 7 | Sensory |
| 3 | Lotus | 9 | Elements | 7 | Scenery | 348 | Feelings |
| 3 | Secluded | 9 | Feelings | 7 | Architecture | 320 | Elements |
| 3 | What a pity | 8 | Feelings | 7 | Worth | 238 | Feelings |
| 3 | Pavilions and Towers | 8 | Elements | 7 | Rockery | 121 | Elements |
| 3 | Allure | 6 | Feelings | 7 | Taihu Stones | 107 | Elements |
| 3 | Hard to Find | 5 | Feelings | 7 | Exquisite Stones | 77 | Elements |
| 3 | Hidden | 4 | Feelings | 7 | Bonsai | 54 | Elements |
| 3 | Noisy | 4 | Sensory | 7 | Pavilions and Towers | 52 | Elements |
| 3 | Concealed | 3 | Feelings | 7 | Satisfaction | 49 | Feelings |
| 4 | Scenery | 85 | Elements | 7 | Pleasant | 36 | Feelings |
| 4 | Rockery | 58 | Elements | 7 | Twisted Paths Leading to Tranquility | 29 | Feelings |
| 4 | Worth | 45 | Feelings | 7 | Allure | 27 | Feelings |
| 4 | Exquisite | 31 | Feelings | 7 | Pond | 26 | Elements |
| 4 | Photography | 21 | Activity | 7 | Bonsai Garden | 21 | Elements |
| 4 | Delicately Small | 8 | Feelings | 8 | Scenery | 305 | Feelings |
| 4 | Pleasant | 7 | Feelings | 8 | Worth | 170 | Feelings |
| 4 | Tranquil | 4 | Feelings | 8 | Rockery | 152 | Elements |
| 4 | Allure | 4 | Feelings | 8 | Architecture | 88 | Elements |
| 4 | Pond Water | 4 | Elements | 8 | Secluded | 47 | Feelings |
| 4 | Taihu Stones | 4 | Elements | 8 | Tour | 43 | Activity |
| 4 | Lotus | 3 | Elements | 8 | Allure | 24 | Feelings |
| 4 | Nourishing the Heart | 3 | Feelings | 8 | Pleasant | 22 | Feelings |
| 5 | Night strolls | 532 | Activity | 8 | Winding | 22 | Elements |
| 5 | Garden plots | 403 | Elements | 8 | Contentment | 19 | Feelings |
| 5 | Worthwhile | 297 | Feelings | 8 | Pond | 17 | Elements |
| 5 | Scenery | 295 | Feelings | 8 | Pond Pavilion | 13 | Elements |
| 5 | Pingtan | 226 | Activity | 8 | Window | 12 | Elements |
| 8 | Worth the Trip | 11 | Feelings | 8 | Satisfaction | 13 | Feelings |
| 8 | Bridge Over Flowing Water | 16 | Sensory | 8 | Atmosphere | 10 | Sensory |
Due to space constraints, the analysis of high-frequency words in this assessment text only includes those related to the current project. Additionally, the numerical references in this table correspond to different gardens as follows: 1: Keyuan Garden, 2: The Humble Administrator Garden, 3: The Garden of Cultivation, 4: Garden of Harmony, 5: The Master of the Nets Garden, 6: The Couple’s Garden Retreat, 7: The Lingering Garden, 8: The Canglang Pavilion.
Statistical results of emotional distribution in textual evaluations of the traditional Suzhou gardens.
| The Garden | Emotional Types | Number of Texts | Text Proportion | Emotional Level | Quantity | Proportion by Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Canglang Pavilion | Positive Emotions | 177 | 72.54% | Generally | 90 | 36.89% |
| Moderate | 48 | 19.67% | ||||
| Altitude | 39 | 15.98% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 36 | 14.75% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 31 | 12.70% | Generally | 25 | 10.25% | |
| Moderate | 4 | 1.64% | ||||
| Altitude | 0 | 0.00% | ||||
| Total | 244 | 100.00% | ||||
| The Lingering Garden | Positive Emotions | 2443 | 71.66% | Generally | 1043 | 30.60% |
| Moderate | 667 | 19.57% | ||||
| Altitude | 733 | 21.50% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 18 | 0.53% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 948 | 27.81% | Generally | 164 | 4.81% | |
| Moderate | 24 | 0.70% | ||||
| Altitude | 16 | 0.47% | ||||
| Total | 3409 | 100.00% | ||||
| The Couple’s Garden | Positive Emotions | 1069 | 69.78% | Generally | 430 | 28.07% |
| Moderate | 288 | 18.80% | ||||
| Altitude | 351 | 22.91% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 19 | 1.24% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 444 | 28.98% | Generally | 79 | 5.16% | |
| Moderate | 22 | 1.44% | ||||
| Altitude | 7 | 0.46% | ||||
| Total | 1532 | 100.00% | ||||
| The Master of the Nets Garden | Positive Emotions | 2594 | 77.57% | Generally | 871 | 26.05% |
| Moderate | 747 | 22.34% | ||||
| Altitude | 976 | 29.19% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 23 | 0.69% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 727 | 21.74% | Generally | 113 | 3.38% | |
| Moderate | 31 | 0.93% | ||||
| Altitude | 4 | 0.12% | ||||
| Total | 3344 | 100.00% | ||||
| Garden of Harmony | Positive Emotions | 399 | 70.00% | Generally | 152 | 26.67% |
| Moderate | 119 | 20.88% | ||||
| Altitude | 128 | 22.46% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 6 | 1.05% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 165 | 28.95% | Generally | 25 | 4.39% | |
| Moderate | 7 | 1.23% | ||||
| Altitude | 1 | 0.18% | ||||
| Total | 570 | 100.00% | ||||
| The Garden of Cultivation | Positive Emotions | 377 | 69.81% | Generally | 140 | 25.93% |
| Moderate | 110 | 20.37% | ||||
| Altitude | 127 | 23.52% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 4 | 0.74% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 159 | 29.44% | Generally | 27 | 5.00% | |
| Moderate | 3 | 0.56% | ||||
| Altitude | 3 | 0.56% | ||||
| Total | 540 | 100.00% | ||||
| Humble Administrator Garden | Positive Emotions | 2233 | 72.64% | Generally | 944 | 30.71% |
| Moderate | 583 | 18.97% | ||||
| Altitude | 706 | 22.97% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 21 | 0.68% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 820 | 26.68% | Generally | 170 | 5.53% | |
| Moderate | 33 | 1.07% | ||||
| Altitude | 20 | 0.65% | ||||
| Total | 3074 | 100.00% | ||||
| Keyuan Garden | Positive Emotions | 404 | 70.51% | Generally | 193 | 33.68% |
| Moderate | 99 | 17.28% | ||||
| Altitude | 112 | 19.55% | ||||
| Neutral Emotion | 5 | 0.87% | ||||
| Negative Emotions | 164 | 28.62% | Generally | 32 | 5.58% | |
| Moderate | 4 | 0.70% | ||||
| Altitude | 3 | 0.52% | ||||
| Total | 573 | 100.00% |
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