Address: 239 NW Everett St
Pricing: Adults: $8.50, Seniors: $7.50, Students: $6.50
Hours: Open 7 days a week. April 1 - Oct. 31: 10:00am-6:00pm, Nov. 1-March 31: 10:00am-5:00pm
How To Get There:
From the garden's website:
The Garden can be reached by car from I-405 by taking the Everett Street Exit and turning east. Travel approximately 10 blocks and we are located on the corner of Northwest Third & Everett.
By public transit:
The Garden is located at the Old Town Chinatown stop on MAX and accessible by buses 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 33, 40, and 77.
Parking:Street parking is available
Visit Website
Lan Su Garden: Portland’s authentic Chinese garden
Apr 20, 2010
The Lan Su Garden is a Chinese garden bursting with life and beauty in the heart of Portland. While many Portland visitors flock to the Rose Garden or Japanese Gardens in Washington Park, Lan Su Garden can provide for scenery and serenity while getting an authentic taste of what a real Chinese garden is all about.
The garden is styled as a Suzhou-style garden and, according to their website, serves as an “an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony to inspire, engage, and educate our global community in the appreciation of a richly authentic Chinese culture.” Its construction was completed after Portland officially became a sister city with Suzhou in 1988.
Upon walking in, you can feel the stress and bustle of Portland wash away. The garden is stunningly beautiful and has a quiet, reflective feel. Located in the Pearl District, it is convenient for both city residents and Portland visitors. Unlike many other downtown stops, once you enter in to the garden, you will feel transported to a different time and place.
The central focus of the garden is the 8,000 sq. foot Lake Zither. It slinks throughout the garden and frames the buildings and flora. Flowers Bathing in Spring Rain is a riverside pavilion and a perfect stop to take in your surroundings. With other pavilions lining the lake and garden, feel free to take your time.
Keep an eye out for special events. Many are quite remarkable and allow you to experience the garden in a whole new light. For example, the month of May is dedicated to peonies. On May 27, the garden is having “Bring Three and Get in Free.” For local gardeners, you can bring in three peonies from your garden and be able to not only contribute to the peony exhibit, but also receive a free admission ticket.
The Lan Su Garden is a scenic and educational excursion. It makes a perfect visit for Portland residents needing a scenic trip or visitors looking for a unique experience.
HelloPortland Tip: Want to relax with a cup of tea? Take in the garden’s surroundings in the Tea House run by the local Tao of Tea company.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
