Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a beautiful oasis within the city
The Chinese Garden of Friendship was opened in 1988 as part the commemoration of Sydney's bicentennial. Located near Darling Harbour at the northern end of Chinatown, this lovely garden is well worth a visit and the admission fee is very reasonable.
The garden was designed by landscape designers and gardeners from Sydney's sister city of Guangzhou in China. It is modelled after the likes of private gardens common during the Ming Dynasty, but is somewhat smaller than they were. A unique aspect of the design is that there is no point in the garden where you can see all of the garden at one time.
You will be delighted by the beauty of the gardens natural features and settings accented by a variety of architectural backdrops and Chinese sculptures as you stroll along the meandering pathways through the garden. It is this natural beauty that makes the garden very popular for wedding photography. Some of the features to watch for include the Dragon Wall, the Water Pavilion of Lotus Fragrance, and the Twin Pavilion.
The garden also has a Tea House, where you can enjoy a cup of Chinese Tea of some other refreshments. Be sure to bring your camera.
Nearby attractions include: Chinatown, Powerhouse Museum, Capitol Theatre and Darling Harbour.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesChinese Garden of Friendship Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Pier Street, Cnr Harbour St, Darling Harbour NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9240 8888
Official Website: Chinese Garden of Friendship
Chinese Garden of Friendship Reviews
Rated out of 5
We visited the Chinese Garden of Friendship with my daughters and really enjoyed our time there. The garden is beautiful, peaceful, and very well maintained. We loved walking through the different areas, enjoying the scenery, and taking photos.
It was a relaxing break from the busy city, and we appreciated all the little details throughout the garden. We would definitely love to visit again if we have the chance. A lovely place for families, couples, or anyone looking for a peaceful walk.
Bayan Al Dakheel - a month ago
Always a pleasant experience at these gardens and the admission fee of $12 (adult) is very affordable, the gardens are maintained with care and precision with the paths and stone trails kept with beautiful tidiness. Arriving early allows visitors to see the koi being fed and hear lore detailing the gardens and their inception, and the staff are all welcoming and warm especially at the restaurant located within the gardens walls. And be sure to keep an eye out for water dragons roaming the gardens and rocks!
Esnupi - a month ago
A very beautiful and peaceful place to visit.
The park has such a relaxing atmosphere with lovely gardens, water features, and beautiful traditional Chinese design. It’s a perfect spot to walk around, take photos, and enjoy some quiet time with family or friends.
A great place for both adults and kids to enjoy in the middle of the city. Highly recommended!
Mj Enterprise - 5 months ago
Totally worth going. You could zip around in 5 minutes but I recommend taking your time. Sit and enjoy the sound of running water, the filtered sunlight through the bamboo and slow down for an hour. Only $12 it's work it.
Jeff Newton - 2 months ago
A beautiful and tranquil escape from the city. The garden offers a great variety of sights and paths that work well for all ages. The kids especially enjoyed finding all the zodiac signs and learning about each one. Whether you're looking for a quiet walk or a family outing, I highly recommend visiting.
Brodie Maclean - 4 months ago
Directions
| Train Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Light Rail L1 | Exhibition | 2 minutes |
| T2, T3, or T8 | Museum Station | 5 minutes |
How to get to Chinese Garden of Friendship by Train
By Light Rail: exit at Exhibition Stop, walk down the ramp on the east side of the station and cross Darling Drive. Continue east through the pedestrian path lined with palm trees until you reach the plaza on the east side of Sydney Theatre. The entrance to Chinese Garden of Friendship is across the plaza from the ICC Sydney Theatre.
By Train: exit at Museum Station and proceed west on Liverpool Street crossing Harbour Street via the elevated pedestrian overpass. Go left at Tumbalong Park and follow the garden wall through the pedestrian plaza until you reach the entrance.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Chinese Garden of Friendship:
Photo Gallery
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A pond reflecting the natural beauty of the Garden cc licensed photo by David Swhartz -
Bonzai plants in the Chinese Garden of Friendship cc licensed photo by craigcullum -
Photo Credit: jjordan64816 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: justbeingdust - cc license via Flickr
