Chinese Garden of Friendship

Location:
South End, Darling Harbour, near to the Sydney Entertainment Centre and adjacent to Chinatown

The Chinese Garden of Friendship was designed by Sydney's Chinese sister city, Guangzhou in China. The gardens were developed on a site in Darling Harbour near Chinatown complementing the areas already rich Chinese heritage and culture.




The gardens were officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial celebrations and they were named the Garden of Friendship symbolising the bond bestablished between China and Australia.

Being one of the few public traditional Chinese gardens outside China they offer a rare insight into Chinese heritage and culture. One of the interesting features of the gardens is that you can not see the whole garden from any point within them.

Entering the gardens is like walking backwards in time into the quiet solitude of ancient Chinese architecture and it's relationship with nature. The garden combines the elements of water, plants, stone and architecture.



Running water, towering willow trees, cool lagoons with lotus plants and large colorful fish all make this an idyllic spot to read a book or recharge your batteries. It really is something special. The gardens occupy several acres combining waterfalls, lakes, pavilions, sculpture and animals; the fish and the ibis.



The garden has a number of other noteworthy features including the Dragon Wall sybolising the bond between New South Wales and Guangzhou, the Water Pavillion of Lotus Fragrance, the Twin Pavillion and The Tea House that offers traditional Chinese tea and other refreshments.

Admission
Adult $6.00.Child/Concession/Senior/Student $3.00Family $15.00 (2A+2C.Open every day of the year 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, closed Christmas Day.

Getting There
The gardens are about a 10 minute walk from Townhall railway station. The Monorail will take you to within a five minute walk at Haymarket as will the Light Rail from Central station.