Here in downtown Portland, Oregon
we have the beautiful Lan Su Chinese Gardens. This garden
occupies an entire city block and gives us a glimpse into the art and design of Chinese culture. Portland’s Chinese sister city is Suzhou in China’s Jiangsu
province famous for its gardens. The name Lan Su derives from a combination of the two cities Portland and Suzhou.
Sixty-five Chinese
artisans completed the garden in 2000 using materials and structures built in
China. The garden includes 500 tons of rock and 300 plant species and
cultivars found in traditional Chinese gardens. Five elements blend together to create harmonic flow of the gardens: Plant, Rock, Architecture, Water and
Poetry.
Visitors first enter the Courtyard of
Tranquility where the plum blossom is featured in the rock mosaic and doorway into the garden.
Off of the courtyard is the Hall of Brocade Clouds where the family would traditionally greet visitors.
Dwarf Pomegranite - Punica granatum 'Nana'
Doorways and windows
create infinite views and flow from one part of the garden to another.
This window creates a
unique picture of rock and plant that changes depending on the weather and
light.
Knowing the Fish Pavilion is an open-air structure for meditation and discussion while one takes in the nature
surrounding them.
Plants serve many purposes
in the Chinese garden. Besides beauty and texture, this Moso bamboo is a symbol
of strength as it bends in storms and does not break.
Lake Tai is five miles
from the city of Suzhou. Over time rocks in the lake erode by the lakes acidic water
creating unique rock sculptures.
Reflections in Clear
Ripples, also known as the lounge house, is where family gathers to share music, paint or play games like mahjong.
These two inscribed columns are an example of the "couplet game," in which one person provides the first line of a two-line poem and the second person completes it.
Penjing are living landscapes in three-dimensional poetic form.
Water is central to the garden and connects nature and the structures through Lake Zither. This pavilion, Flowers Bathing in Spring Rain, holds panels that depict six different gardens
in Suzhou connecting the individual to nature through scenes of mountains
and forests in the city.
Scholar’s Courtyard is an
extension of the study and a place for reflection. The plum tree blossoms in
late winter and is a symbol of resilience and revival.
Poncirus trifoliate ‘Flying Dragon’
Scholar’s Study
Weeping katsura –
Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendulum’
Magnolia zenii
Moon Locking Pavilion acts as a focal point and can be seen from most areas of the garden. On a clear
night it allows viewing of the moon’s reflection in the center of the
lake.
The Boat Pavilion appears to
be tied to the dock and is a symbol of friendship between the cities of Portland and Suzhou.
This rock formation appears as rugged mountains from a distance complete with a waterfall and stream.
This path allows for a
close peaceful connection to nature.
Hall of Brocade Clouds is where the family met
and entertained guests and allowed views of the families wealth.
Lan Su Chinese Gardens is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and has something to inspire you every season of the year. You can learn more about Lan Su Chinese Gardens here.
