Lan Su Chinese Garden
The mission of Lan Su Chinese Garden is to cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony to inspire, engage, and educate our global community in the appreciation of a richly authentic Chinese culture.
One of Portland's greatest treasures, Lan Su Chinese Garden has provided a window into Chinese culture, history and way of thinking for the 1.4 million visitors who have entered its gates since its opening on September 14, 2000.
The dream of a Chinese garden in Portland began in 1985, when a group of Portland officials, including City Commissioner Mike Lindberg, traveled to China to establish a sister city relationship with Suzhou-one of China's most fabled historic cities. The group was enthralled with Suzhou's beautiful gardens and Lindberg resolved to have a garden built in Portland. Three years later, the sister city relationship was established and a nonprofit organization, the Classical Chinese Garden Society, was formed to begin garden planning.
Mayor Vera Katz pledged to civic leader Bill Naito her commitment to obtain a garden site. In 1995, the board of Northwest Natural Gas donated a 99-year, $1 lease on the site at Northwest Third Avenue and Everett Street. Two years later, Mayor Katz led a fund-raising initiative and the Classical Chinese Garden Trust was formed. Many foundations and individuals gave their financial support and the Portland Development Commission provided a major loan.
In June 1999, picks and shovels clanged on what was the gas company's parking lot as U.S. companies started the site work. Meanwhile, in Suzhou, artisans built the wooden buildings and cast the decorative windows that were shipped to Portland along with 500 tons of rock. More than 65 Chinese workers (and two Chinese cooks!) arrived in the fall to construct the garden's buildings and pathways.
An authentic plant collection was amassed and planted, thanks to the cooperative effort of landscape designers, generous local nurseries, Portland Parks bureau and volunteer horticulture experts. A third non-profit, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, was formed to operate the Garden after its opening on September 14, 2000.
Thanks to the dream, perseverance and generosity of elected officials, civic leaders and residents, Portland is the proud home of the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China.
Explore Related Categories
