Garden sights in Asia
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Orchid Garden
Across from Yuèxiù Park off Jiefang Beilu is this charming garden famous for its blossoming orchids. With its winding paths, arched stone bridges and willow-fringed ponds, you may forget you're even in Guǎngzhōu. An old Muslim cemetery sits on the western edge of the park, supposedly the burial site of Abu Waqas, the uncle of the Prophet, who is credited with bringing Islam to China. The cemetery is closed to non-Muslims.
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Kenroku-en
The star attraction of Kanazawa, Kenroku-en is ranked as one of the great gardens of the Edo period and one of the top three gardens in Japan (the other two are Kairaku-en in Mito, and Kōraku-en in Okayama).
The name (kenroku means 'combined six') refers to a renowned garden from Sung-dynasty China that required six attributes for perfection: seclusion, spaciousness, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views (on clear days you can see to the Sea of Japan). In 1676 Kenroku-en started as the garden of an outer villa of Kanazawa-jō, but later it was enlarged to serve the castle itself, reaching completion in the early 19th century; the garden opened to the pub…
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Sengan-en (Iso-teien)
Starting in 1658, the 19th Shimazu lord laid out this hilly, rambling bayside garden, incorporating one of Japan's most impressive pieces of 'borrowed scenery': the fuming peak of Sakurajima. It was also a strategically important lookout for ships entering Kinkō-wan. Poetry parties took place along the stream in the Kyokusui Garden – participants had to compose a poem before the next cup of sake floated by. Allow at least 30 minutes for a leisurely stroll, more if you visit the Shimazu-ke villa, once a second home of the Shimazu clan. Kimono-clad women guide you through the villa, followed by traditional tea and sweet service. Other teashops around the garden sell jamb…
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Udorn Sunshine Nursery
Ever seen a plant dance? Well, you can here. Originally earning notoriety for producing the first perfume made from an orchid, the Udorn Sunshine Nursery, just northwest of town, has since developed a hybrid of Codariocalyx motorius ohashi leguminosae that 'dances' to music. The mature gyrant has long oval leaves, plus smaller ones of a similar shape. If you sing or talk to the plant in a high-pitched voice (saxophone or violin works even better), a few of the smaller leaves will shift back and forth. It's no hype; we've seen it ourselves, although it's much more of a waltz than a jig. The plants are most active from November to February, the cool season, and from 7am to …
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Tángjiā Public Garden
On the outskirts of Zhūhǎi are some lesser-known sites that have nonetheless played vital parts in Guǎngdōng history. To the north is the labyrinth-like Tángjiāwān (唐家湾), where this private estate of the first premier of the Republic of China, Tong Shaoyi, was created in 1900. Now it's a garden preserving various old-growth and rare species from south China.
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Kiyosumi-teien
This marvellous garden was the first place to be named a 'site of scenic beauty' by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government – and it's easy to see why. Kiyosumi started as a daimyō's estates in the 1700s, and after the 1923 earthquake it was purchased by Iwasaki Yatarō, founder of the Mitsubishi Corporation. He was able to use company ships to haul prize stones from all over Japan onto the garden grounds – count all 50 (they're numbered). They're set around a carp-filled pond that's ringed with Japanese black pine, hydrangeas, Taiwan cherries and other plants designed to bloom at different times of the year – especially during hanami and kōyō (autumn colours).
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Noritake Garden
Take a stroll around Noritake Garden, the tree-planted grounds of the original 1904 factory of one of Japan's best-known porcelain makers. The craft centre offers a peek at the production process and a museum of old Noritake pieces, plus a chance to glaze your own dish (¥1500). The Noritake Gallery has changing exhibitions of paintings, sculpture and ceramic works. Signage is in English throughout, and look for an early kiln and some atmospheric old chimneys, the remains of a 1933 tunnel kiln.
Naturally there are shopping opportunities, including the Box outlet store (open 10am to 6pm), with 30% to 40% discounts on discontinued items.
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Kōko-en
Just across the moat on the western side of Himeji-jō is Kōko-en, a reconstruction of the former samurai quarters of the castle. There are nine separate Edo-style gardens, two ponds, a stream, a tea arbour (¥500 for matcha powdered green tea and a Japanese sweet) and the restaurant Kassui-ken, where you can enjoy a bentō (boxed meal; ¥1575) of anago (conger eel, a local speciality) while gazing over the gardens. While the garden doesn't have the subtle beauty of some of Japan's older gardens, it is well done and especially lovely in the autumn-foliage season.
Note that a joint ticket to both the Kōko-en and Himeji-jō costs only ¥560, a saving of ¥140. These can be pur…
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Guǎngxī Medicinal Herb Botanical Garden
The fascinating subtropical Guǎngxī Medicinal Herb Botanical Garden is the largest medicinal botanical garden in China. More than 4000 medicinal plants from over 20 countries can be found here. Buses 22 and 81 from Cháoyáng Garden stop by the main gate. Buses 7 and 66 from the train station also go there.
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E
Memorial Garden to the Martyrs
East of the Institute on Zhongshan Sanlu, the garden commemorates those killed on 13 December 1927 under the orders of Chiang Kaishek. The massacre occurred when a small group of workers, led by the CCP, were gunned down by Kuomintang forces. Over 5000 lives were lost.
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Shukkei-en
Modelled after Xi Hu (West Lake) in Hangzhou, China, Shukkei-en was built in 1620 for daimyō (domain lord) Asano Nagaakira. The garden's name means 'contracted view', and it attempts to re-create grand vistas in miniature. The garden was totally destroyed by the bomb, though many of the trees and plants survived to blossom again the following year, and the park and its buildings have long since been restored to their original splendour.
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Shikina-en
Around 4km east of the city centre is a Chinese-style garden containing stone bridges, a viewing pavilion and a villa that belonged to the Ryūkyū royal family. Despite its flawless appearance, everything was painstakingly rebuilt after WWII. To reach the garden, take bus 2, 3 or 5 to the Shikinaen-mae stop (¥220, 20 minutes).
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Nunobiki Hābu-kōen
The Shin-Kōbe cable car leaves from behind the Crowne Plaza Kōbe hotel near Shin-Kōbe Station and ascends to a mountain ridge 400m above the city. The views from the top over Kōbe and the bay are particularly pretty after sunset. The complex of gardens, restaurants and shops below the top station is known as the Nunobiki Hābu-kōen. Note that you can easily walk down to the bottom station from the Herb Garden in about 30 minutes.
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Fukushū-en
Garden fans should take a stroll through Chinese-style Fukushū-en. All materials were brought from Fuzhou, Naha's sister city in China, including the pagoda that sits atop a small waterfall.
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Gyokusen-en
For more intimacy and fewer crowds than Kenroku-en, this Edo-period garden rises up a steep slope. Enjoy a cup of tea here for an additional ¥700, while contemplating the tranquil setting.
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Yoshiki-en
This garden, located next door to Isui-en (to the right when you're facing the entrance of Isui-en), is a stunner. Originally a residence of the high priest of Tōdai-ji, it fell into private hands. The present garden was laid out in 1918 and contains a lovely thatch-roof cottage, a pond and several walking paths. It's particularly lovely in November and early December, when the maples turn a blazing crimson. Best of all, at the time of writing, entry was free for foreign tourists! Enter by 4.30pm.
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Uraku-en & Jo-an Teahouse
The garden Uraku-en is 300m east of Inuyama-jō, in a corner of the grounds of the Meitetsu Inuyama Hotel. One of the finest teahouses in Japan and a National Treasure, Jo-an was built in 1618 in Kyoto by Oda Urakusai, a younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, and was relocated here in 1972. You can enjoy tea on the grounds for ¥500.
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Suizenji-kōen
Southeast of the city centre, this photogenic strolling garden around a lake represents the 53 stations of the Tōkaidō (the old road that linked Tokyo and Kyoto). The miniature Mt Fuji is instantly recognisable, though much of the rest of the analogy is often lost in translation.
The Kokindenju-no-ma Teahouse building was moved here from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1912 and now has serene views across the ornamental lake. Originally it was where the young emperor was tutored in poetry.
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Slender West Lake Park
Stretching noodle-like northwards from Da Hongqiao Lu towards Dàmíng Temple, this park is decorated with pretty willow- and peach-tree-lined banks dotted with pavilions and gardens. It was a favourite vacationing spot of Emperor Qianlong in the 18th century and it's not hard to imagine why as it's particular moving and moody on a misty day, yet cheerful and colourful in good light.
A highlight is the exquisite triple-arched Five Pavilion Bridge (五亭桥; Wǔtíng Qiáo), built in 1757. Another interesting structure is the 24 Bridge (二十四桥; Èrshísì Qiáo), its back arched high enough to almost form a complete circle, allowing boats easy passage.
The combined ti…
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Luís de Camões Garden & Grotto
This relaxing park is dedicated to the one-eyed poet Luís de Camões (1524–80), who is said to have written part of his epic Os Lusíadas in Macau, though there is little evidence that he ever reached the city. Sr Wong Leng Kuan Library is inside the garden.
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Liang's Garden
This garden complex with its tranquil lotus pond, willow-lined pathways and carefully arranged rock formations dates from the 19th century. The elegantly restored family residences are a delight to explore. From Rénshòu Temple, walk north until you see a branch of the Bank of China across the road. Liang's Garden is another 300m north of the bank.
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Kōraku-en
Kōraku-en draws the crowds with its reputation as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Built on the orders of daimyō Ikeda Tsunemasa, it was completed in 1700 and, despite suffering major damage during floods in the 1930s and air raids in the 1940s, remains much as it was in feudal times. It was opened to the public in 1884.
Unusually for a Japanese garden, it is mostly expansive lawns (though, as usual, you can't walk on them). The garden is broken up by ponds, teahouses and other Edo-period buildings, including a stage for nō, and even has a small tea plantation and rice fields. The highlights change with the seasons – in spring the groves of plum and cher…
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Isui-en & Neiraku Art Museum
This garden, dating from the Meiji era, is beautifully laid out and features abundant greenery and a pond with ornamental carp. It's without a doubt the best garden in the city and well worth a visit. For ¥500 you can enjoy a cup of tea on tatami mats overlooking the garden.
The adjoining art museum, Neiraku Bijutsukan, displays Chinese and Korean ceramics and bronzes (admission is included in garden entry). Enter by 4pm.
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Hé Garden
This tiny garden in the south of the city was built by a Qing-dynasty salt merchant. It boasts more buildings than actual garden, with airy pavilions and halls surrounded by tree-lined pathways, bamboo and convoluted rockery. The central portion is home to a Frankenstein 'West meets East' building, an architectural style popular in the late Qing period.
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Health Park
The town's waterfront Health Park is possibly one of the best-maintained municipal parks in the country. There are sea breezes, a playground, shady coffee shop with wi-fi, a jogging track and a lot of evening activity.
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