Based on various photographic images of agricultural landscape patterns, the variation in characteristic landscape features was analysed using scenario visualization and the results compared with preferences of 209 rural farmers in Beijing gained via participatory appraisal forms. The results show that overall, the participants are not very interested in diverse landscapes, as most people prefer less fragmentary landscape patterns. Participants prefer garden landscapes when looking at pictures, while orally expressing preferences for orchard\|dominated areas. This research shows that scenario visualization is an effective way to use subjective perceptions of various stakeholders in optimizing landscape assessment and planning.