Lan Su Chinese Garden is much more than just a beautiful garden. It’s a creative wonder--an authentically built, powerfully inspiring experience based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese
tradition that melds art, architecture, design and nature in perfect harmony.
Garden History
The Lan Su Chinese Garden began as a dream in the early 1980’s. It grew when Portland and Suzhou, China, became sister cities in 1988 and the idea of a building a Suzhou-style garden in Portland became a goal.
The Five Elements
Rather than imitate nature, architects and horticulturalists of Chinese gardens strive to recreate an ideal landscape in miniature. The natural elements of rock mountains, lakes, and trees, along with their qi, or energy are brought together in harmony with architecture and poetry.
Living Collections
The living collections at the Garden present hundreds of native Chinese plant species and forms. The Garden is home to more than ninety specimen trees, many rare and unusual shrubs and perennials, and signature collections that include Magnolia, Cymbidium, Camellia, Osmanthus, Rhododendron and bamboo.
