We invite you to use the Garden and the web site to explore an authentic Garden full of Chinese botanicals, culture, art, and history. From an exploration of the Five Elements of a Chinese Garden to activities and further readings designed to engage scholars of all ages, the pages of the learning section will allow you to follow in the path of the imperial scholar.
A Scholar's Garden
The Lan Su Chinese Garden is an authentic Suzhou style scholar’s garden. Explore the Garden and discover the life of the imperial scholar official who would have called the Garden home during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
School Tours
The Lan Su Chinese Garden offers tours specifically targeted to school groups. For students in kindergarten through college, the school group tour is designed to engage students at their level and are led by trained docents.
Five Elements of a Chinese Garden
Rather than imitate nature, architects and horticulturalists of Chinese gardens strive to recreate an ideal landscape in miniature. The natural elements: rock mountains, lakes, and trees, along with their qi, or energy, are brought together in harmony with architecture and poetry.