The second garden we visited was the new Seattle Chinese Garden. It is located right next to the South Seattle Community College Arboretum. Here is an explanation of a what composes a Chinese Garden from their self-guided tour brochure:

A Chinese Garden harmonizes nature (plants, trees, water, rocks) with culture (architecture and the arts) in a beautiful setting to be enjoyed in every season.

It opened in November 2010. The garden designers were from Seattle’s sister city of Chongqing and the garden is Sichuan-style. There are two other major Chinese gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The wonderful Dr. SunYat-Sen Classic Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC and serene Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland. I love visiting the garden in Portland. It is located on a full city block surrounded by a wall. As you walk through the first moon gate, you are taken to a tranquil paradise where you can forget the city and contemplate peace.

The Seattle Chinese Garden is much more ambitious. It is located on 5 acres and at this point only two buildings have been completed. The main building has a lovely ‘Knowing the Spring’ courtyard but yet it is very stark. It was built as a gathering place and has space for functions and it is composed of the four main elements.

A second pavillion is located a short distance away. It has many more plants along with a pond and stream. There is so much work to be done. I look forward to seeing how the garden progresses over the years.

The Entrance

Knowing the Spring Courtyard

Stones to signify a mountain

Encircling corridor

Magnolia near the Pine and Plum Pavilion

The Pine and Plum Pavilion

The Main Gate