The Chinese Garden of Portland Oregon
One of the things I love most about different cities are the gardens. One could take a road trip just based on the locations of famous gardens, well, I definitely could. In Los Angeles there is the garden surrounding the Getty Museum, and in Pasadena there are the Huntington Gardens. Just outside of Chicago there is the Arboretum, perfect in the autumn months, and I just now discovered one my all time favorites and that is the Classical Chinese Garden in Portland. The garden has also been called, Garden of Awakening Orchids.
Once the parking lot was removed, designers and botanists worked the entire year of 1999 to be ready for the opening in 2000. I had read about the garden years before, and finally called up my friend Patrick to arrange a visit. He directed me to one of the best hotels in Portland, I booked my flight and my room and was off to see the Chinese Garden. The garden is designed using five elements that are intended to keep balance between humanity and nature, literature, architecture, plants, water and stone. Each of the plant species are found in China, but all of the plants in the garden were cultivated in the US. And aside from the gardens in the country of China itself, the Portland garden is the largest of the Chinese gardens.
The garden offers regular exhibits and for anyone traveling to the city in the month of November this is one you will not want to miss, the China Here and Now Art Exhibit. The Garden teamed up with the Portland Art Museum to bring in the art such as brush paintings, calligraphy, water colors and oil paintings, and music. All of the artists do live in Portland now, but are originally from China. The exhibit features not only well known artists, but new, up and coming artists as well. I’m considering placing another phone call to me friend, because I think it may be time for another visit.
Related posts: