The Chinese Garden Of Friendship is a tranquil lush green oasis located at the southern side of Darling Harbour. This spectacular Garden follows the Yin-Yang style and it was built in 1986. The Garden signifies the Friendship between Sydney and Guangdong China. It features beautiful pathways, exotic plants, colourful blooming flowers, soothing water bodies and a wonderful man-made lake filled with Koi fish.
The enchanting Chinese Garden Of Friendship is a serene and tranquil escape from all the hustle and bustle of city life right in the heart of Sydney. Enjoy the peaceful ambience and amazing greenery around the Garden. This incredible Garden is a symbol of the Friendship between the Australian city of Sydney and the Chinese city of Guangdong.
The Garden showcases the intrinsic principles of Yin-Yang and Wu-Xing in its designs and creations. It features the balancing forces of opposing but complementary elements as well as the 5 elements of nature - fire, earth, water, metals and wood. The design of the Garden was done by Guangzhou Landscape Bureau who also incorporated ancient Chinese private Garden styles as well. A stroll along the meandering pathways of the Chinese Garden Of Friendship will take you past beautiful and exotic flowers, cascading waterfalls, unique Chinese architecture and intricate animal sculptures. These animal sculptures represent the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This elegant masterpiece is a magnificent blend of traditional Chinese designs with Australian touches.
After your leisurely stroll, you can stop by the Gardens by the Lotus which is the onsite restaurant that serves up a delicious selection of dumplings, Chinese tea and several popular Sichuan dishes.
Also Read: Things to Do In Melbourne
Highlights
• The Garden Of Friendship is a serene oasis of lush green flora and elegant Chinese traditional designs right in the heart of the bustling city of Sydney.
• The three free guided tours of the Garden - Chinese Garden Discovery Tour, Plants in a Living Landscape Tour and Rocks in a living Landscape Tour.
• Feed the beautiful Koi fish and get to meet the locals. The fish feeding happens at 11:30 am daily at the Lenient Jade Pavilion.
• The Garden hosts several events and exhibitions with the incredibly stunning backdrops of water bodies, sculptures, furniture and exotic flora.
• The Garden Of Friendship also organises several activities and adventures which caters to children specifically each month.
• The Gardens by Lotus is a heritage restaurant offering a delectable selection of Sichuan cuisines with enchanting views of the Garden.
How To Reach
By Light Rail - The nearest light rail station to the Chinese Garden Of Friendship is the Chinatown Light Rail Station which is a 13 minute walk to the Garden. L3 lines stop at this station.
By Bus - Bus lines that stop near the Garden are 120, 333, 373, 396, 423, 461X, and 483. The nearest Bus stops are Town Hall House, Druitt St; Kent St; Museum Station Castlereagh St; Haymarket Light Rail Stop and Harris St.
By Train - Trains number T1, T4 and T8 will take you to stations near the Garden which is the Town Hall Station and Central Station.
Also Read: National Parks In Australia
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the Garden in terms of weather is between September to November when it is summer time in the southern hemispheres and March to May which is the Autumn season. Flowers bloom well during this time and the weather is also excellent for enjoying a walk in the Garden.
Also Read: Monuments in Australia
Other Essential Information
Tips to visit
- Choose one of the free guided tours to truly appreciate the splendour of the Chinese Garden Of Friendship.
- If you are travelling with children then check out if it coincides with the various activities that that Garden organises for children for a better experience
- Pathways and other attractions in the Lower Garden are conveniently accessible for wheelchairs and prams. But the rocky paths and stairs of the Upper Garden are not wheelchair friendly.
- The most convenient drop-off point near the Garden is on Harbour Street.
Click Here to Book Now: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
The Garden Wall
The Garden Of Friendship is surrounded on 3 sides by a 13 feet high white wall designed with scroll type terracotta tiles. The fourth side has a palisade fence with a water and pavilion edge. The palisade fence is designed in such a way that pedestrians can look into the Garden and be tempted to visit.
Click Here to Book Now: Madame Tussauds Sydney Tickets
Forecourt
At the entrance there is a set of stairs, a podium and two guarding lions on either side. Here, you will also find some specimen stones and trays that have been brought over from Guangdong specially for the Garden.
Click Here to Book Now: Sydney Harbour Cruise
Water Bodies
There are several water bodies within the Garden that have been constructed with a concrete base. The lake, pond and brooks are all man-made but look amazingly real. The cascading waterfalls is one of the most beautiful water bodies in the Garden. The rock behind the waterfalls is made with sprayed concrete with a wired framework as a base. The water used here and in the other water elements is recycled, filtered and UV treated.
Click Here to Book Now: Wild Life Sydney Zoo Tickets
Rock Sculptures
There are several rock sculptures strategically placed across the Garden. All these fine specimens have been brought over from China such as the Taihui Rock in the Garden of the Hall of Longevity. The waxed rock in the Courtyard of the Hall of Longevity is a rare specimen of a river mounded rock. Most of these rock sculptures were a gift from Guangdong.
Also Checkout: Sydney Opera House Tour
The Dragon Hall
This exquisite work of art is made of terracotta and it is a free standing wall which is double-sided. There is an image of a blue dragon which represents New South Wales and another one of a brown dragon that represents Guangdong. The wall was created by assembling 943 pieces by potters from China.
Also Read: Things To Do In Sydney This Weekend
Penjing
Penjing is a Chinese artwork that artistically combines elements from nature with figurines and other artificial elements to make miniature landscapes. These are popularly known as "landscapes in a tray" and there are 17 such miniature landscapes in the Chinese Garden Of Friendship. The age of each of these fine works of art ranges between 12 to 70 years.
Also Read: Places To Visit In Sydney
Plants Collection
The plants at the Chinese Garden Of Friendship are mostly brought in from New South Wales and features native and exotic Australian flora. Along with these are two lychee trees which were planted by governors visiting the Garden from Guangdong.
Also Read: Things To Do In Sydney
Pavilion Furniture and Artworks
All artworks in the Chinese Garden Of Friendship are a gift from the government of Guangdong. These include calligraphy, beautiful wall hangings and paintings. All the elegant Chinese traditional furniture are a gift from Guangdong. However, the latest addition to this selection of furniture is a display cabinet in the Water Pavilion that was designed and made in New South Wales.
Click Here to Book Now: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Tickets
Tourism Board Alliances
Chinese Garden Of Friendship FAQs
What are the famous attractions to visit in Australia that you can book via Thrillophilia?
Following, are the famous attractions to visit in Australia that you can book via Thrillophilia:
.jpg)
