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Stepping across the bridge between the outside world and the tranquil beauty of the inside world, we entered the Dunedin Chinese Garden. It is a place of peace and reflection. Somehow, time slows down here. We soak it all in as our guide slowly walks us through. It is one of a handful of authentic Chinese gardens located outside of China. In fact, the Dunedin Chinese Garden is the first in the Southern hemisphere and the only one in New Zealand.

Tranquil beauty of the Dunedin Chinese Garden in New Zealand
Seen from the highest viewing point called Climbing Mountain, this is my favourite view of the Dunedin Chinese Garden. Here, we can see many elements of a traditional Chinese garden: water, rocks, bridges, pagoda, and plants.

The garden is custom designed for this location. Initially assembled in Shanghai China, it was carefully deconstructed, transported, and reconstructed in New Zealand. The Dunedin Chinese Garden transforms visitors into a different world, one in which the attention to every tiny detail comes together in a spiritual tranquillity. Every path’s bend, bridge, walkway, or step leads to a different view. By design, there is no spot where you can see it all.

Gateway outside the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
The Pai Lau Gateway welcomes visitors and represents the face of the garden. Behind it, you can see the bridge we crossed to enter.
Just outside the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
A spot of colour sits just outside the garden wall. 
Photo © Sarah Albom.

Inside the Dunedin Chinese Garden

“Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic, truly in the midst of a city, there can be a mountain and forest.”
~Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)

Rock path and bridge are part of the tranquil beauty at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
Every detail of these tranquil gardens has significance. The mosaic pebbles represent the path across the ocean from China to New Zealand, while the bridge represents the waves.
Borrowed scenery at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
“Borrowed scenery” is another element of a traditional Chinese garden. It incorporates elements outside the gardens into the garden scenery. Here, the hills are visible from the inside by design.
Penjing are small manicured trees in China
Called Penjing, this pot scenery is similar to Bonzai in Japan.

If you want to grow your own Penjing or Bonsai, check out this kit ⇒ Nature’s Blossom Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit.

Do you see an animal in these rocks at the Dunedin Chinese Garden
Many people see an animal in this rock. I did. Do you?
Zigzag Bridge at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
The zigzag bridge is another key element of a Chinese garden. This one divides the lake and gives the appearance of a larger space.
Photo © Sarah Albom.
Roof tiles at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
In total, there are 380,000 roof tiles at the gardens, each handmade in Shanghai.
Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
Looking back across the lake, we see the main entrance hall. Water is one of the key Chinese garden elements.
Flower at Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
A close up of a spot of colour.
Photo © Sarah Albom.

For us, many of the traditional features of the Dunedin Chinese Garden struck with an air of familiarity. We have been to Suzhou China, home to the Masters of the Net Garden used as a basis for the design of the Dunedin Chinese Garden. While we didn’t visit that garden, we did explore others. We also spent several days in Dunedin’s sister city, Shanghai (China), including a visit to the sister garden just off of the Yu Yuan Bazaar.

Want more? Check out this book: The Great Gardens of China: History, Concepts, Techniques.

Tea House

A traditional tea house adds an extra spot to relax and enjoy the day while overlooking the lake and many of the other elements of the tranquil gardens.

Tea House at the Dunedin Chinese Garden
The Main Hall / Tea House sits across the lake. Traditionally, scholars entertain guests here.
The courtyard outside of the Tea House at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
The courtyard contains a seating area, ribbon tree, additional decor, and a gift shop (entrance seen at the back of the photo).
Stalagmites used as decor in the Dunedin Chinese Garden
A closer look reveals that these are stalagmites against the back wall.
Tea at the Dunedin Chinese Garden New Zealand
We enjoyed two traditional pots of tea amongst four people. The menu also includes some finger foods.

Practical Information on the Dunedin Chinese Garden

  • Located at the corner of Rattray and Cumberland Streets, the Dunedin Chinese Garden is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. See more on their official website.
  • The tea house and gift shop close daily at 4.30.
  • Private guides are available for a fee, or you can enjoy a free audio tour.
  • Lan Yuan is the garden’s official name, but most people know it as the Dunedin Chinese Garden.
  • Using traditional Chinese construction methods, the use of any nails or other corrodible materials was avoided.
  • It was built to recognise the efforts and sacrifices of Chinese miners in Otago goldfields, as well as the continued contribution of Chinese people to Dunedin’s history, culture, and ongoing prosperity.
  • Located just down the street, the Dunedin Railway station is the most photographed building in New Zealand, and also the starting point for the fabulous Taieri Gorge Railway adventure, one of the many things to do in Dunedin
  • If you are looking to combine the Dunedin Chinese Garden with a city tour, or arriving via cruise ship, we recommend Viator, a trip advisor company.

⇒ Click Here to check prices and options on Dunedin tours offered by Viator.

Where do you find tranquil beauty in your life?

Disclaimer: As guests of the Dunedin Chinese Garden our visit included a private tour and tea. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

 

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Comments

  1. Chinese gardens are gorgeous, and I never would expect to find one in NZ. Suzhou was one of my favorite places in China, and I spent a lot of time in their gardens.

    Reply

  2. The attention to detail is stunning, like all of those delicate roof tiles! This actually reminds me a lot of the Chinese Garden that sits in the middle of Portland, Oregon where I’m from. It also is a lovely place of respite in the middle of the city. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin

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  4. I love Chinese gardens, so much intricate detail and craftsmanship in the architecture, gardens and even the elaborate walkways, I loved the tour and would have enjoyed taking some photos here.

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  5. I am a great fan of Chinese architecture. This garden looks ideal for a break from the grey urban environment. The zigzags, the lake, the rooftops seem dreamy! I will save this article for the time when I organize my trip to New Zealand!

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  8. Chinese and Japanese gardens are so beautiful and well maintained and I have visited n number of them in various Asian cities. But I never imagined that there would be one in NZ 🙂 It looks like acres full of Ikebana.

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  9. Beautiful pavilion, trails and bonsai in the garden – thank you for introducing this traditional garden, I appreciate it a lot because the best thing about this place should be.. tranquility without the noisy Chinese crowd. 🙂 @ knycx.jouneying

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  10. What a beautiful space. I’ve not been to Dunedin but this looks just lovely and so tranquil. It’s always lovely to find little surprises or gems you don’t expect to see!

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  11. During my 4 months in Japan, I spent a lot of time visiting the various famous gardens around the country, because I’ve just always thought Japanese gardens were so beautiful. It’s interesting to read this post and see how they compare. They both seem to emphasize beauty in tranquility (instead of having the place overwhelming full with flowers or something), however, the architecture and overall design seem to be slightly different, making it unique from its Japanese counterpart. Will definitely have to visit here when I finally make it to New Zealand.

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  12. This garden is absolutely beautiful. I didn’t expect one to be opened in NZ. The look and feel is really authentic Chinese. If you love gardens, check out Suzhou in China. They have really famous gardens there.

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  14. I didn’t realize that NZ only had one Chinese Garden, or that Dunedin was the first in the Southern hemisphere. And how incredible that it was custom designed and shipped in from China. The traditional settings do look incredibly authentic – the roof tiles are incredible – especially knowing that they’re each handmade.

    What a beautiful place to visit.

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  15. The Dunedin Chinese Gardens are truly spectacular – I felt the tranquil and peaceful nature of the park through your amazing photographs! Thank you so much for documenting your tour so that others can visit as well. It looks absolutely stunning!

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  17. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this garden before. I love any type of garden but the more exotic the better. This looks like a wonderful authentic experience.

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  21. I always think that Chinese Gardens have such a unique beauty to them. I agree that the potted plants look a bit like bonsai gardens I’ve seen. Even though I think the beauty of the garden itself would be enough to get me to go, I have to say that drinking teas in them would just put the experience over the top for me. It’s so interesting that they built all of this without nails or corrodible materials. That’s so impressive!

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  22. New Zealand is my homeland and I had no idea this was here. I did visit a Chinese garden when I was in China a few years ago and it looks like us kiwi’s — and your photos — have captured the tranquility beautiful. Love it.

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  23. I always loved Chinese and Japanese gardens. They have a very specific allure that indeed exudes tranquility. I’ve seen some very beautiful ones, here in the USA, but I can only imagine how much better the ones in China must be. I’m hoping to get there next fall.

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  24. You could easily imagine that you’re in China when visiting this lovely place. The gateway looks very impressive and I like the stone bridge. I hadn’t heard of penjing before, so it’s interesting to know that it’s popular in China

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  27. I love garden design, and this Chinese Garden is indeed stunning. How cleverly the buildings interact with the water and the plants and the surroundings… I think you explained all of this really well, as well as the symbolism of the pathways and the bridges and so on. What I loved most about this story are the pretty details in the roof tiles, absolutely gorgeous. The gardens seem to be a great family-friendly attraction in Dunedin. Definitely worth remembering for our next trip to NZ.

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    • Having a private tour really made a difference. We went through the gardens twice, once to learn the other time to enjoy. And yes, I think it would be family friendly, but not for climbing.

      Reply

  28. Dunedin Chinese Garden looks beautiful, and how intriguing that it’s one of very few authentic ones outside of China. It looks like a beautiful mix of traditional ornate architecture, beautiful planting, and careful natural-style landscaping, all very harmoniously designed. I’d enjoy pausing in the tea house at the end of a visit.

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  29. I love flowers and gardens but I wasn’t prepared to your pictures! Wow! I would’ve said it was Japan or China, definitely not New Zealand! It’s impressive that they deconstructed it and rebuilt it in New Zealand, so much work, and for such an intricate design! Thank you so much for showing us this beauty!

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  30. The traditional posts of tea look delightful Rhonda. I am astounded at the fact that they take these things apart, ship them, and then put ’em back together in a far off land. Amazing to me the attention to detail, patience and craftsmanship in creating and taking apart and creating again. Inspired stuff.

    Ryan

    Reply

  31. Beautiful! I don’t believe I ever appreciated gardens until I owned my own house and found out the hard work in creating such a beautiful space. Now that I have I love to seek out gardens wherever I go – it always makes for a peaceful afternoon in a city.

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  32. These gardens are absolutely stunning. I have been to the Hamilton Gardens in NZ that are themed and segregated into countries and found them to be extraordinary. I would like to visit Dunedin one of these days.

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  34. I feel completely transported to China by seeing this garden. It is hard to believe it is not actually in China. In some shots, it is impossible to tell where are you. All the different elements an details work in an excellent way. On the rock, I first saw an elephant but then, I decided it was a lion.

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  38. Just looking at each of the photos, I feel very tranquil. I did see the animal in the rock photo. It’s amazing. My friends are in China at the moment. Meilin is enjoying the time visiting her family and they also went to her cousin’s wedding. She keeps telling me to visit China. A quiet locale is great to see but the photos that she shows me are city ones and I’m not impressed. Smog, and more smog and many , many people around. To many people for me. See ya Rhonda.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply

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