The main difference between Bonsai and Penjing is that Bonsai is a more refined, stylistic depiction of nature (often in single tree displays), whereas Penjing is more natural and wild (usually displayed in a landscape form).
With China's vast scale, several regional styles of Penjing were developed over the years, including the Lingnan style, Taiwan style (closer in resemblance to Japanese Bonsai), Shanghai style and the Yangzhou style. Three main categories can be distinguished for Penjing:
In this article we list the ten most beautiful Chinese Penjing landscapes.
(#1) Ikadabuki (raft) style Penjing landscape, by Matyie Che
An ikadabuki (raft) style Penjing landscape, by Matyie Che Makhtar.
(#2) Casuarina Equisetifolia landscape by Eddy Sebayang
Spectacular and very realistic Penjing landscape by Eddy Sebayang, made up from Casuarina Equisetifolia trees. Read more on Penjing and its Chinese roots in the Bonsai History article.
(#3) Chinese Penjing landscape with figurine, by Matyie Che
Chinese Penjing landscape with figurine, by Matyie Che Makhtar.
(#4) Penjing landscape by Yee-sun Wu
Chinese styled trees; a Penjing landscape including a miniature house and figurines. By: Yee-sun Wu.
(#5) Penjing forest, by Zhuang Weijun
Stunning Penjing forest, by Zhuang Weijun
(#6) Penjing tree from China
Penjing tree from China, a Bonsai landscape that includes a rock scenery and figurines. By: Estavios Bonsai.
(#7) Flowering Penjing tree
Wonderful Chinese Penjing tree, in bloom. Photo by: Estavios Bonsai.
(#8) Rock landscape, by the Debreceni Bonsai Club
Full scale Penjing landscape, including a Bonsai tree, water, rocks, trees and figurines. By: Debreceni Bonsai Club.
(#9) Penjing style Bonsai tree, by Joko Sulistianto
Penjing style Bonsai tree in twin-trunk style, possibly a Chinese elm, by Joko Sulistianto.
(#10) Mini Penjing, by Robert Steven
Mini trees in Penjing style, Premna microphylla. Learn how this landscape was made in the Mini Bonsai article.
