Right in the middle of Chinatown (but of course), Portland boasts the lovely Lan Su Chinese Garden. There is bounty for the senses in this carefully arranged space. Occupying the land of one city block, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, and that makes the experience even more remarkable when you step inside.
Portland’s sister city is Suzhou, famous for its gardens. Sounds from the word Portland and Suzhou were taken to form the name Lan (orchid) Su (arise/awaken), so the name of the garden can be poetically interpreted as Garden of Awakening Orchids. It was completed in 2000 by professional artisans from Suzhou in only 10 months, using materials that came primarily from China (including all that rock – wow!).
It’s surprising how much of the city outside disappears once inside the garden.
We arrived just as a tour was beginning, so we followed the group on stone-paved paths beneath covered walkways  and through courtyards and buildings. When the tour was over we continued to wander wherever our fancy took us.
After some time the sky darkened and the rain fell harder, and we stepped into the tea house. We were able to select from a large menu of teas which was brought to us in a tea service. After we were shown how to properly use the tea service, we were left to enjoy it. Tara ordered a moon cake, and we shared that. The sweetened bean paste reminded me of the bean paste desserts I had in Japan.
It was a good way to share the day with with my child, and I’m so glad I have a teenager who was actually excited to come here and couldn’t wait to eat a bean cake. Tara is so very different than who I was at age 17, and I am in awe of that wonderful person.
Conscious Engagement 
Oh dear!!!! it’s fantastic… I never thought that a Chinese garden could be in Oregon… I`m very keen about Orient, in special China. I was there in 2005 and in other oriental countries. Suzhou is a wonderful city near Shanghai. Have you been there? I read you were in Japan, me too five years ago. I love doing pps. and I have some from that countries if you want to see them, send me your mail and I can send the pps.
You are luky to have a nice girl!!!!!!! My regards,
Rosa I have never been to China but I certainly will one day in the future. I’m glad you have had a chance to see it. I don’t know anything about Suzhou, and I’d love to see photos. You can write me at trulove@brandeis.edu. I do feel lucky to have Tara. 🙂
Love the photos of the boat and the tiles. Beautiful! That must have been a glorious place to visit.
It is always very nice to go there. I can’t get over how surprising it is to find this haven within the city.
This is so like a Chinese Garden that I thought was the best thing about Sydney Harbour
I think we are particularly lucky to have this wonderful garden so close and accessible. Though… I may have to go to Syndney to see if that’s one is just as lovely…
Reminds me of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, both beautiful and peaceful. Nice that you can enjoy it with your daughter. –Curt
I am pretty sure I have not seen the Japanese garden in San Francisco – at least not for many years. I’ll bet it’s lovely. Portland also has a Japanese garden. Yes, I agree with you – so nice to be able to bring Tara along with me.
My goodness. I thought I was already following you and noticed I wasn’t. My daughter and I were there last summer I think. My photos were not as nice as yours. Love them. We enjoyed the gardens as well.
Marlene! It’s great to see you here again. I’m glad you got a chance to see this garden. It’s more of a journey for you than for me. The photos I credit to my magic camera. 😉
Interesting that another blogger brought up Suzhou. We were there and we thought these pics were taken there. Do you know why no two of designs in those windows are alike? because each allows you to view the scene from a different perspective. enjoyed post, xo LMA
Oh, that’s a great piece of extra information. Thank you so much for telling me about the windows. I did notice that they were all different, but did not know why. I think it’s a compliment to the builders that you thought these photos were from Suzhou. And you were able to travel to Suzhou! That must have been a wonderful trip.
The garden is truly remarkable, even in the middle of January. I have not yet visited in Spring, but I feel like it would be especially nice then.
Looks like an amazing place to unwind in the middle of the city 🙂
Greenery, water bodies and beautiful architecture…
Hope you had a great time there 🙂
Sreejith thank you for your comment. It is an amazing place. I have now been there three times, and the visit is always too short. I think I could stay there all day long. Our guide this time talked about a special evening event open to members only, and the whole garden was lit with paper lanterns and candles in lotus flowers on the lake. I can only imagine…
“paper lanterns and candles in lotus flowers on the lake…” would really be a treat for someone who loves photography 🙂
That’s immediately what I thought! I was drooling with envy. If they would only let me attend. I promise I wouldn’t touch any of the food or drink if they would let me sit quietly beside the lake and take night time photos. ahhhhh….