If you are looking to escape from the hustel and bustle of Sydney, Australia, you can head to the Chinese Garden at Darling Harbor. As soon as you leave the crowds of the city behind and step through the doors of the Chinese Friendship Garden, peace settles around you and you can enjoy the beautifully designed and maintained garden to relax!
Sydney’s Chinese Garden is my favorite spot to take a break in the city center. It follows the traditions of Chinese gardens with lakes and waterfalls, willow trees and exotic plants.
Little pathways wind their way through the greenery and you can climb up a little hill for a view over the garden. The buildings are in traditional Chinese architecture, round doorways and wooden ceilings.
Take your time to wander and take a look back, up or around – the design of the garden makes for some secret corners or especially interesting views through arches, windows or remote spots! One of the buildings holds a teahouse for a relaxing break with tea, snacks or even some dim sum!
Travel Tips: The Chinese Garden is a short walk from Darling Harbor or the Queen Victoria Building and downtown shopping, so you can easily combine it with some tourist sights. It’s open from 9:30-17:00 (17:30 in summer) every day. The entrance fee is $6 for adults with discounts for children, families and seniors. You can find the current times and prices here!
As relaxing as the garden is, it can get crowded when a large tour group arrives and makes its way along the narrow pathways. I prefer times later in the afternoon to avoid the groups prior to closing.