Chinese Garden of Friendship
10am - 5pm
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a tranquil retreat in the middle of the city, and one of the best things to do in Sydney.
Welcome to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, an enchanting oasis nestled in the heart of Darling Harbour. Discover this hidden gem of tranquility located in between Darling Square and Darling Quarter, and the harmonious fusion of traditional Chinese landscape design and vibrant spirit of Sydney.
Step into a world where nature and culture intertwine effortlessly. The Chinese Garden of Friendship offers a serene escape from the bustling city, where you can wander along meandering pathways adorned with intricate pavilions, peaceful ponds, and lush flora. Each step reveals a new vista, a new moment of awe-inspiring beauty.
Built to symbolise the friendship between Sydney, New South Wales and the city of Guangzhou in the province of Guangdong, China, and inspired by the philosophy of Feng Shui, the garden is meticulously designed to balance the elements of water, plants, stone, and architecture, creating a space that exudes peace and balance.
Find respite under the shade of willow trees, let the melodies of gently flowing water transport you, and admire the artistry of delicate Chinese sculptures that dot the landscape.
If you fancy staying for a while, experience The Gardens by Lotus, an onsite restaurant in a heritage listed teahouse serving dumplings, Chinese tea and fiery Sichuan cuisine.
Whether you're seeking a moment of serenity, a touch of cultural immersion, or a picturesque backdrop for your photography, the Chinese Garden of Friendship offers a captivating experience for visitors of all ages.
Cost
$12 Adult
$8 Child (under 12*)
$30 Family (two adults and three children)
Concession/Student: $8 (Australian card holders)
Senior: $8 (Australian card holders)
*Children under the age of 5 can enter the Garden for free
Friends of the Garden Annual Membership
$39 Concession/Student/Local Resident (2000, 2007 and 2009 postcodes)
$58 Individual
$118 Family (two adults and three children)
Accessibility
Pathways and pavilions in the lower garden are accessible for wheelchairs, buggies and prams; however steps and rocky pathways make the upper part of the Garden difficult to access. The closest passenger drop-off point to the garden is on Harbour Street.
Facilities
The Chinese Garden has a fully upgraded accessible toilet and baby change facilities onsite.
Enrich your students’ cultural knowledge with a visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
Sydney Learning Adventures Education Tours
Self guided visits
Thinking of visiting the Garden as a group and discover what the Chinese Garden has to offer? The Chinese Garden of Friendship is one of Sydney’s most popular destination for gardening groups, heritage clubs, specialty tours and other outings.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship advisory committee was formed in August 2017 to provide independent advice on the long-term planning and strategic management of Garden, helping to inform a 10-year plan for the site.
The new committee brings a wealth of diverse experience across business, arts and Chinese culture and aims to support Government with the holistic management of the Garden by ensuring there is representation from a range of relevant disciplines and communities.
Following an Expression of Interest process, the following members were appointed to the committee:
Mr Simon Chan
Director of Art Atrium and President of Haymarket Chamber of Commerce
Ms Oi Choong
Specialist landscape architect and consultant
Dr John Yu
1996 Australian of the Year for his vision to create a best practice paediatric hospital that integrate art, design and high-quality medical care for the benefit of young people and current Chair of Museum of Chinese in Australia.
Mr Julian Siu
Associate at GML Heritage
Ms Karen Soo
Executive officer, Haymarket Chamber of Commerce
Discover what's on at the Chinese Garden of Friendship
Learn about the history, landscape and cultural heritage of the Chinese Garden.
Take time out of your Tuesday to relieve stress, shift energy and find focus during your lunch break.
Can you find the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar that are hidden in the Garden? This free activity will expand your knowledge of the Chinese zodiac while exploring the magical garden paths.
Feed the magnificent koi as they rush through the waters of the Chinese Garden of Friendship to get their lunch. Experience this free activity daily at 11:30am.
Dive into the enchanting world of dragons, both real and mythical, in an immersive tour these school holidays.
Friends of the Garden annual memberships
If you love the Garden, make visiting this tranquil haven a part of your regular routine. Become a friend of the Garden to unlock unlimited visits for a year, exclusive events, free parking, dining discounts and more! Or even reward your staff and build culture with our Jade or Gold corporate membership packages. Who doesn’t love a discount?
Weddings, Functions, Filming and Photography at The Garden
The natural beauty, architecture and elegance of the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour can provide a unique backdrop for any filming or photography project. Sheltered pavilions, graceful bridges, reflective pools and enchanting landscapes create the perfect setting for wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, cultural activations and many other events in the heart of the city.
History Of The Garden
Opened on 17 Jan 1988 for the Bicentenary, the Chinese Garden of Friendship was modelled after ancient private gardens in China from the 5th century. Discover the rich history behind the masterpiece of traditional Chinese culture infused with Australian characteristics.
The Gardens by Lotus
The Gardens menu compliments its location, offering a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Chinese cuisine, as well as a weekend Yum Cha menu. Guests can expect to see traditional Chinese dishes with a sophisticated and innovative twist. On offer hot from the woks are dishes such as Sichuan style prawn & pork wontons, steamed pork ribs with black bean sauce, and Lotus' signature spring rolls with king brown mushrooms.
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