NW 3rd and NW Everett
The Lan Su Chinese Garden is located in the Old Town–Chinatown neighborhood. It covers a full city block and feels like stepping into a peaceful place far from the busy streets around it
The garden opened in 2000. It was built through a partnership between Portland and its sister city, Suzhou, in China. Suzhou is famous for its beautiful classical gardens, which inspired this one. The name “Lan Su” combines parts of the names of both cities — “Lan” from Portland and “Su” from Suzhou. Together, it means “Garden of Awakening Orchids.” The five key elements of a formal Chinese garden are Rocks, Water, Plants, Architecture, and Calligraphy/Poetry.
The garden was built by artisans from Suzhou, using traditional Chinese materials and designs. It includes pavilions, bridges, walkways, and a large pond filled with koi fish. Many plants and trees in the garden are native to China, such as bamboo, orchids, and lotus. The garden is designed for peace and reflection, showing how nature, art, and architecture can blend together.
Lan Su hosts festivals and events all year, like Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival. It has a teahouse, where visitors can experience Chinese tea culture. The garden helps teach people about Chinese history, design, and traditions, right in the middle of Portland.
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Discussion Questions:
Why do you think the garden brought in so many rocks from China instead of using local rocks?
How does the pond make it more peaceful?
How might visiting a garden help you feel or think differently than walking down a city street?
Notice the open-latticed windows. They are called “leak windows.” Why do you think that is?
Vocabulary: pavilion, artisan, zither, yin & yang, poetry, calligraphy, teahouse, orchid, locust serene and culture
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Multicultural Studies, Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources including artifacts, pictures and documents to identify factual evidence. Social Science Analysis
Visual Arts.5.PR2.3 Compare and contrast how art exhibited in and outside of school in museums, galleries, and other venues, including virtual spaces, contributes to the community. Presenting-Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Visual Arts.8.RE2.3 Interpret art by identifying the mood suggested by a work of art and describing relevant subject matter and basic art elements. Responding-Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Visual Arts9.RE3.3 Use art vocabulary to express preferences about an artwork. Responding-Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Visual Arts.10.CO1.3 Identify and show how artwork forms meanings, situations and/or culture (e.g. popular culture, online and local experiences) Connecting artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context, to deepen understanding.