PROTECTION STATUS AND CONTEMPORARY FUNCTIONS OF LINGNAN GARDENS IN GUANGDONG, CHINA: A CASE STUDY OF YUYIN GARDEN

บทคัดย่อ

Lingnan gardens, an important component of the classical Chinese garden system, are currently facing increasing pressure from urbanization, tourism development, and the preservation of living heritage. This study takes Yuyin Garden in Guangdong Province as an example, exploring the current state of preservation and contemporary functions of Lingnan gardens through a qualitative case study. The research focuses on two dimensions: the current state of preservation and the garden's contemporary uses and functions. Data collection methods include literature review, field visits, photographic documentation, and interviews with garden managers, staff, and users, and qualitative interpretation methods are used for analysis. The results show that Yuyin Garden has been effectively protected within a multi-layered heritage protection framework, and its material structure, spatial structure, and core landscape features have been largely preserved. Simultaneously, the garden has successfully transformed from a traditional private garden into a public cultural space integrating tourism, cultural display, education, and leisure activities. However, the study also found that the garden still faces many challenges, including tourism pressure, the coordination between preservation and utilization, and how to better protect intangible cultural values ​​and spatial atmosphere. Overall, the case of Yuyin Garden demonstrates that the sustainable development of Lingnan gardens depends on maintaining the authenticity of the heritage while considering contemporary adaptive use. This study provides practical reference for the protection and management of similar historical gardens in Guangdong and other regions.