Chinese Garden of Friendship

A fascinating take on a Chinese garden
Im fairly certain the garden is not be that old, however this garden looks genuine enough, rather than a pale imitation (a plastic transplant)
It has turtles and lizards, and it makes for good photography

Worth a visit if you’re in the neighborhood. We had the tea and entry deal for around $ 12. The gardens are very well kept and it’s a peaceful relaxing stroll.
We were hounded by all the koi fish, ducks, and even lizards that wanted a piece of our lunch when we sat by the lake for tea and scones. Didn’t know this place also included a wildlife safari, haha.
It’s a fun relaxing retreat from the bustle of the city.

If you are in the area and have spare time it’s refreshing to make this a stop. It is quite relaxing from the hustle and bustle of shopping in downtown. Enjoyed a nice saturday afternoon here taking some pictures and walking around with the family.

You can dress up in traditional Imperial Chinese costumes for ten bucks. You can wear the costumes as long as you like and parade around the gardens and take as many pics as you like.
Value for money? I think so!
See pics attached. :)

For being the garden of friendship, the guy taking your money is very unfriendly. Yes it is a tranquil place in a bustling city but gets busy with tourists etc and it really isn’t that great. If you are coming here on vaca, especially from the US and have been to tea garden in SF don’t go here as you’ll be disappointed. The garden is well maintained but nothing about it is over the top amazing. It is also quite small. i was not a fan

These gardens are beautiful!
A trip to the Chinese Friendship Gardens is one of peace and serenity. As soon as you enter the gates (after paying for admission — trust me, it’s $ 6 well spent), you leave the hustle of the harbour behind, completely absorbed by the gardens. It’s hard to believe that you’re smack in the middle of Sydney here, and you can’t help but double-​take when you see the high rises jutting above the Garden walls, unbelieving that you could be so close to something that seems so out of place. For such reason, I think this would be a beautiful place for a wedding. I am forever imagining myself in a wedding dress standing beneath one of their intricate pagodas, holding an umbrella, a golden koi jumping out of the water behind me.
Following the paths here is like a mini adventure — no matter how many times I go, I never know where I’m going to end up and am in constant awe of what surprises lie around every corner. In fact, I imagine I must be a very frustrating person to follow through the gardens, due to my constant «Ooooh», «Aahhhh», «Did you see that?!», «Look how beautiful it is!» and «Lets go to China» commentary.
Then there’s the tacky fun element of these gardens, which allow you to dress up in a range of traditional Chinese costumes (for a price) and have your photograph taken around the park. I often laugh at the tourists partaking in said nonsense, and yet more often than not I’m secretly wishing I was the one wearing a black wig and wielding a samurai sword.
There’s a café/​tea house in here too and whilst I’ve never stopped for a coffee, it would be a beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy a drink, looking over the calm koi ripples of the pond. I feel like there’s gotta be some good luck in that somewhere.

It is really nice to know that such a place in the city still exits. Visit this oasis of peace and serenity, if for nothing else. But of course there is more than just the quietness. There are bridges, gardens, ponds and even waterfalls to discover.
Treat yourself to a lunch break of tranquillity away from the worries of your desk, or visit with a young family and teach your kids a little bit about history and culture. Whatever the reason, a visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship is worth the time and always enjoyable.

Nothing like finding a bit of Zen in the middle of the city… in times of mayhem, stress or quiet contemplation — the Chinese gardens are a wonderful getaway.
Walk over bridges, under weeping willows, near waterfalls and through sculptured tunnels. It’s really quite tranquil and at time hypnotically calm.
It takes about an hour to meander through — there lots to see, explore, read and observe — like the gorgeous Koi fish who seem so happy swimming away in the cool waters…
The only thing I don’t like about this place is leaving it. As soon as you walk out you’re hit with the reminder that you’re down town Sydney… and that life goes on — even when you’re Zenning.
Adults cost $ 6 — absolutely worth it!

The Chinese friendship garden is such a beautiful addition to Sydney city. China actually commissioned it as a sign of the continual positive relationship with Australia.
It only costs $ 6 for adults and $ 3 for children. A small price for a little piece of heaven.
As you walk int the gardens, a calm washes over you. They focus on all the elements. There are fountains and beautiful willow trees. Stone walls, statues scattered in the peaceful area. There is a beautiful breeze flowing over the pond where large fish live. There are some alcoves to rest and overlook the whole garden to just soak in the spectacular nature.
We went and got a champagne and sat in the sun. This truly is a magical place one in which I want to show off to friends and family.
We are such a lucky country.

A beautiful oasis right in the middle of a busy city, and in its perfect locale right near Chinatown/​Haymarket, and also right in Darling Harbour (at the quieter end as your heading towards the Sydney Entertainment Centre).
You would be forgiven for thinking that you are about to head into a religious temple of worship; however it is great to immerse yourself in nature and Chinese culture; you would almost be forgiven for thinking that you have suddenly been converted into a Buddhist if your currently not of that religious denomination. Relaxation is bliss here; you have to be in the mood for it. Wednesday afternoon’s here has worked for me. During the weekends and school holidays it can get quite crowded here. Great if there was more space. It is like a moving meditation.
The fishes are great to observe: beautiful tropical goldfish. Needs to be visited at least once to be appreciated. Not sure if there is any feng shui involved, however there are times when you have done the tour of the gardens and you just don’t want to leave. A great problem to have. Snack up before you arrive and keep hydrated with a bottle of water.

Darling harbour is home to a lot of popular attractions and the Chinese garden of Friendship is one more place to look in on.
It is a pretty garden with a definite chinese theme. From the Buddha statue to the Pagoda, I wondered if I was still in Sydney. The lotuses, the Koi pond, the Dragon backdrop, the Bamboo forest, the unmistakable Red colour, gives this place the authenticity it deserves.
You can try on the Chinese Kimono Robe or taste their herbal tea to further explore the Chinese tradition.
For me, just the sense of peace and tranquility make this place a wonderful garden to visit any time of the year. The Royal Botanic Garden at Circular Quay is also beautiful, but it lacks the stillness and calmness of this garden.
Pick up a complementary copy of the SMH on your way out.

From all the hustle and bustle of city life, it’s always a pleasure to be in a tranquil place once in a while. Whenever I get a chance to breakaway from my busy schedule, I visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a vast garden with a really nice royal atmosphere. I just love everything in it — the trees, well-​trimmed plants, calm lotus ponds and the magnificent temples. Come in your most comfortable clothes and a simple walk around the garden will surely invigorate your senses. And don’t forget to drop by the Tea House for refreshments and a wonderful serving of traditional Chinese tea. It will definitely make your day!
Skip your Pilates, Yoga or Gym session and replace it with a visit to these beautifully tranquil gardens once in a while. It’s so relaxing! It’s perfect if your feeling stressed and need some time on your own.
If you require a wheelchair or use a pram, please be very careful as some of the areas may not be accessible due to the traditional Chinese stone paving. Some areas are okay for those requiring wheelchair or pram access. I suggest calling ahead to check.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm. They are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Sydney possède un patrimoine culturel et architectural important mais le promeneur sera certainement surpris de découvrir en plein cœur de la grande ville le Chinese Garden (vrai jardin chinois) également appelé jardin de l’amitié.
En effet, ce jardin ouvert en 1988 est un cadeau offert à Sydney par Le Guangdong, province chinoise de Canton jumelée à la Nouvelle-​Galles du Sud.
Calqué sur les traditionnels jardins chinois, il utilise les éléments clés que sont l’eau, la pierre et la faune pour donner un aperçu de la culture et du patrimoine chinois et se combiner en créant un équilibre parfait et permettant une paisible promenade.
Visiter ce jardin est un voyage au milieu d’une nature sauvage, disposée pour apporter calme et sérénité. Nénuphars et lotus côtoient dragons en pierres et monstres veillant sur les mauvais esprits avec une esthétique toute particulière, traditionnelle de la culture chinoise et de la recherché de l’équilibre entre le Yin et le Yang. Vous n’avez plus qu’à serpenter au milieu des petites étendues d’eau, cascades, pagodes et pavillons divers et prendre le temps d’observer et de vous promener car seule de petites parties du jardin né sont visibles à la fois.
Et si le cœur vous en dit, vous pourrez aussi déguster une tasse de thé et découvrir quelques gâteaux traditionnels à la maison du thé et peut-​être croiser au détour d’un pavillon un jeune couple en costumes traditionnels!

Wunderschön !
Mitten im urbanen Trubel von Sydney ein exotischer Ort der Entspannung (wenn man Gartenkultur und Kultur-​Gärten mag).
Kontemplativ, sollte man das Glück haben, an einem ruhigen Moment mit weniger Besuchern zu kommen.
Wer bisher nur die kühle Gartenbaukunst des japanischen ZEN-​Gartens kannte: Dieser Garten zeigt eine Form der chinesischen Garten-​Tradition.
Wärmer und auch lebendiger wie ich finde.
Leider konnte ich weder das Teehaus als solches ausprobieren noch irgendeine Veranstaltung besuchen, die dort auch angeboten werden.
Auf jeden Fall ist der Garten mehr als einen Besuch wert!
(Zugerne würde ich den Garten im frühen Morgenlicht sehen oder in der Abenddämmerung)
Ein arabisches Sprichwort sagt: Ein Buch ist ein Garten den man in der Tasche trägt.
Hätte auch von den Chinesen stammen können, vielleicht mit der praktischen Änderung … ein Garten den man überall mit hinnehmen kann .
Ich wünschte, ich könnte DIESEN Garten überall mit hinnehmen.
Sehnsuchtsvoller Seufzer.
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Angeblich der einzige Original-​Chinesische Garten im Westen.
1984 vom Guangdong Landscape Bureau der Partnerstadt Guangzhou entworfen und 1988 eröffnet von Vertretern beider Regierungen.
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