When I was young, I always loved the idea of having a secret place. My make-believe games often included hidden trapdoors leading to forts and caves, fueled by movies such as The Secret Garden. In that movie, the curious Mary Lennox discovers the walls of an old garden hidden and locked away and with a little help, brings it back to life.
The walls surrounding the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney hold a similar secret. Of course, this garden is still perfectly manicured, but it still maintains a bit of mystery.
It is also, as we recently discovered, the perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon. With that in mind, here are 10 reasons why you should add the Chinese Garden of Friendship to your Sydney travel list.
1. It is beautiful
From a large pond and waterfalls to peaceful sitting spots and lush greenery, the Garden is a beautiful spot to take in the Sydney sunshine. You’ll love the colours and traditional Chinese architecture and design.
2. It is a great place to relax
The sound of rushing water and local birds and wildlife drown out any city noise. In fact, you can almost forget you are in the city altogether! It’s a great place to getaway without going too far.
3. It’s a solid photo spot
The colours and mixture of water, rocks, plants and wildlife, there is a lot for your lens to take in. You can hone in on the tiny details or just make the most of the gorgeous backdrop.
4. You can enjoy a cup of tea
The Garden features a Teahouse that serves Chinese tea and dim sum, so you can kick back, fully enjoy the scenery and recharge.
5. It’s fun for kids (and kids at heart)
In addition to checking out the waterfalls, kids can also play along by trying to spot all of the Chinese Zodiac symbols hidden around the Garden.
6. It’s also romantic
The beautiful scenery and private hooks and crannies make the Garden a perfect spot for a daytime date starting spot.
7. It’s conveniently located
You don’t have to make a whole day out of a trip to the Chinese Garden (although you can!). It’s located right in Darling Harbour, which features dozens of restaurants and bars, the IMAX theatre, museums, aquarium and more.
8. It’s an inexpensive activity
Some attractions cost a fortune, especially when you have a larger group, but admission to the Garden is only a few dollars, so you can stretch your dollar and fit a bit more fun into your day.
9. It’s open all year round
The Garden is accessible at any time of year, so you can experience the changing seasons in a beautiful setting. The only days it is closed are Good Friday and Christmas Day, so you can easily fit it into your schedule, even if you only have a short stop in the city.
10. It’s near amazing food
Located right on the fringe of Sydney’s Chinatown, you can continue the cultural journey right into lunch or dinner. There are endless options for great food. Area favourites include Belly Bao, Mappen Noodle and my personal choice, Mamak.
I’m sure there are other reasons to visit the Garden. We tried to sum it all up in a video from our day there. Check it out!
Have you ever visited the Chinese Garden of Friendship? Share your experiences in the comments below
The post 10 Reasons to Add the Chinese Garden of Friendship to Your Sydney Travel List appeared first on Wish You Were Here.
