Review: Lan Su Chinese Garden

To start, what's the story behind this garden?
A world away from the busy, gritty Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood surrounding it, this sublimely peaceful garden is a collaboration with Portland’s Chinese sister city Suzhou, famous for its stunning Ming Dynasty gardens. The ornate structures and exquisitely landscaped courtyards offer a glimpse into the life of a wealthy and prominent 16th-century Chinese family; the delicately carved gingko panels, intricate stone mosaics, and koi lake are a seamless union of design, nature, architecture, and art. As you stroll the pebbled paths, watch for some of the garden’s unique features: Taihu, chunks of heavily eroded limestone farmed from Suzhou’s freshwater Lake Tai, and the 51 patterned windows embedded in the garden walls, each different from the next.

What are the highlights?
Plan time for a peaceful pot of oolong and and a plate of lotus-seed mooncakes in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections, an authentic two-story tearoom overlooking the 8,000-square-foot Lake Zither. Run by local teamakers Tao of Tea, the 50-seat teahouse does a traditional Chinese-style tea service and a full menu of classic sweet and savory snacks, including marbled tea eggs, pressed plums, steamed buns, and green tea–dusted pumpkin seeds. All are vegetarian, and some, like the purportedly circulation-enhancing daikon salad, are talked up for their healing properties.

Is it hard or tiring to get around?
Opportunities to sit, rest, and reflect are everywhere, from the benches in the pavilion suspended over Lake Zither, to the low stone walls that arc through the garden; no matter where you decide to pause, you'll be in for a gorgeous view. A wheelchair route winds through most of the garden, restrooms are fully accessible, and both floors of the Teahouse can be accessed via an elevator.

So why would you recommend a visit to the Lan Su garden?
If you’ve got a green thumb, never met a botanical garden you didn’t love, are intrigued by ancient Chinese culture, or just appreciate incredible design and architecture, this is a don’t-miss destination. If time’s short, try and catch one of the docent-led tours, offered most days at noon and 1 p.m.