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All the United States New York State New York City Staten Island New York Chinese Scholar's Garden

New York Chinese Scholar's Garden

This small and serene place for quiet reflection on Staten Island was built in China based on the gardens of the Ming Dynasty.

Staten Island, New York

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Kris
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A rock formation at the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden   lampbane / Atlas Obscura User
A rock formation at the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden   lampbane / Atlas Obscura User
An image showing various elements of The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden.   Igor koyfman
A bridge at the Chinese Scholar’s Garden   Bogdan Migulski/CC BY SA 2.0
Plants that were included are indigenous to China   Igor koyfman
A mosaic of two cranes at the Chinese Scholar’s Garden   lampbane / Atlas Obscura User
A view overlooking the koi pond within the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden in Staten Island.   Laura271/CC BY SA 4.0
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About

Staten Island doesn’t have the reputation of a place one can go to feel like a poet or scholar in Ming Dynasty China, but it is one of the best places in the U.S. for doing just that.

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden, part of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, is a recreation of Ming Dynasty Chinese gardens. It was built by 40 Chinese artisans in Suzhou City, and then shipped to the United States. 

Made with traditional Chinese construction techniques, nails and glue do not hold anything together, including the building that half-hovers over the lake. Rock formations, a bamboo forest, and a waterfall are meant to inspire the same sort of harmony and peace Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist monks and scholars have sought in similar gardens over the centuries.

Cultural events like live performances are often held amidst the pavilions and bridges. A koi-filled pond is the cherry on top of the authentically adorned little garden. It is further decorated with paintings, mosaics, calligraphy, and indigenous Chinese plants like rhododendrons and lilacs.

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Gardens Botanical Gardens Meditation Ancient Buddhism Philosophy Plants

Know Before You Go

The S40 travels from St. George Ferry Terminal along Richmond Terrace straight to Snug Harbor. From the entrance it's a straight walk down Cottage Row. Admission for adults is $5. A combo pass is also available for admission to the nearby Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art. Winter hours are Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m-4 p.m. 

Community Contributors

Added By

lampbane

Edited By

AaronNetsky

  • AaronNetsky

Published

September 15, 2017

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_garden#Ming_dynasty_.281368.E2.80.931644.29
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Chinese_Scholar%27s_Garden
  • http://snug-harbor.org/botanical-garden/new-york-chinese-scholars-garden/
  • https://www.nycgo.com/attractions/the-new-york-chinese-scholars-garden
  • https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/2059/new-york-chinese-scholar-s-garden
  • https://www.newyorkpass.com/En/new-york-attractions/tickets/Staten-Island-Botanical-Garden/
  • http://www.visitstatenisland.com/attractions/snug-harbor-cultural-center-and-botanical-garden/
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, New York, 10301
United States
40.642, -74.10427
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