Darling Harbour - Chinese Garden

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Thursday 21°C
Friday 22°C

What's On

Chinese Garden

Initiated by the local Chinese community to share their rich cultural heritage and celebrate Australia's 1988 Bicentenary, the Chinese Garden is the result of a close bond of friendship and cooperation between the sister cities of Sydney and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, China.f

The Garden was designed and built by Chinese landscape architects and gardeners. Similar to every classical Chinese Garden, traditional principles govern the use of four key elements of water, plants, stone and architecture. Together, these four elements combine to create perfect balance.

The art of Chinese Garden design began in imperial parks during the Shang dynasty 3000 years ago. Later they flourished on a smaller scale in the private gardens of China's rich and powerful. The Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour is a scaled-down version of a typical private garden from this era.

Chinese Gardens differ from western-style gardens in that there are no planted flowerbeds or manicured lawns. Instead, wild aspects of nature are recreated in artfully designed landscapes that feature waterfalls, mountains, lakes and forests.

Exploring a Chinese Garden is a journey of discovery: there are many details to be observed and only a part of the Garden is visible at a time. Follow the serpentine walkways as they lead you through private courtyards and traditional pagoda-style pavilions.

Opening times
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Location
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is located at the southern end of Darling Harbour, near the Sydney Entertainment Centre and adjacent to Chinatown.

Find out how to get to Darling Harbour by visiting getting here and around.

Map
Explore, revitalise and relax in the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Discover some of the Garden's unique highlights including the Dragon Wall, Twin Pavilion and Dragon Rock.

The Chinese Garden map provides information on a number of highlights located within the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

Audio Tour
A 45 minute audio tour provides detailed information about the design philosophy and history of the Garden.

The tour, available in English and Mandarin, can be hired for $4 or click here to download it for free.

Admission prices
Adults $6
Children (under 15 yrs) $3
Family (2 adults & 2 children) $15
Concession (Australian pensioners and students only) $3
Audio Tour (English and Mandarin) $4

Accessibility
Due to traditional stonework and paving, some parts of the walkway are rocky or uneven. While pathways and pavilions in the lower garden are suitable for wheelchair access and prams, disabled visitors may find stairs and rocky pathways in the higher parts of the garden difficult to access.

Contact information
T. (02) 9240 8888 E. chinesegarden@shfa.nsw.gov.au

Weddings and functions
Sheltered pavilions, graceful bridges and enchanting landscapes provide an elegant setting that will enhance your celebrations and create everlasting memories for you and your guests.

Visit our functions page to find out about weddings and functions at the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

Weather
Maps

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Websites