Orchid Garden, Guangzhou

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The Guangzhou Orchid Garden was rebuilt from a botanical garden in 1957 and covers an area of 3.9 hectares. It is located near the western entrance to the Yuexiu Park and features more than 200 species of orchids. In addition to orchids, there are also over 300 species of other plants. Unfortunately, most of the plants were not in bloom when I visited as it was the end of March. However, the garden is still very pleasant to visit as it has winding paths, arched stone bridges and willow-fringed pools.

Open: 8am-5pm. Admission: RMB8.

There is an immediate sense of serenity as you walk through the rounded doorway and along the garden pathways. Guangzhou or Canton Orchid Garden is, as its name suggests, a small garden that specializes in orchids. There are three greenhouses that which house 200 varieties of orchids including cattleya, cybidium, dendrobium, oncidium, and vanda. In addition to orchids, there is also the beautiful flora that decorate the rocks and paths of the garden. Visit the different pavilions like the Hall of Exquisite Fragrance or the Aromatic Flowers Garden.

Because orchids are my most favorite flower, I hold quite a bias to this place. The tranquility of the garden is soothing. It is a pleasant retreat from the fast paced city life of Guangzhou. Take a stroll along quiet pathways and calm waters. Enjoy a lazy tea in the teahouse while watching the breeze flow through the trees. Sit, relax, and escape to serenity.

Orchid Park (Lan Pu) is unique and spectacular in summer months when there are over 100 different types of orchid on display here. At the same time, the garden itself is a comfortable place to go to: it is peaceful and quiet with poetic landscapes and decorations.

It was the first park I have visisted in Guangzhou and I didn't regret. Very nice garden, lot of vegetation, flowers, small lakes, pavilions. Enchanting!
And, above all, you can have tee there. I had it, and it took one and half hours, admiring the lovely view and the rain, while enjoying an excellent tea.

It was the first park I have visisted in Guangzhou and I didn't regret. Very nice garden, lot of vegetation, flowers, small lakes, pavilions. Enchanting!
And, above all, you can have tee there. I had it, and it took one and half hours, admiring the lovely view and the rain, while enjoying an excellent tea.

The Orchid Garden provides an oasis of calm; you'd never think you were in the middle of a huge Chinese city. The garden, as it's name suggests houses over 2000 species of orchid. Unfortunately I did not visit during the correct season so there were only a few flowers to be seen. However, the landscaped gardens are very interesting with ponds, sculptures, pagodas and other plants such as bamboo scattered around. The price of entry includes a voucher for a pot of tea. I enjoyed sitting under the cover of the teahouse listening to the rain pouring down.

Of course, the essential highlight of any great botanical garden would have to be those uncanny masters of photosynthesis, the plants themselves... Awesome in their physical structure and aesthetic, the exotic plants of Guangzhou Orchid Garden will surprise and delight you! Orchids are the star attraction, but there are also over 300 other species including creepers, rare flowers, luxuriant bushes, and sleek bamboos...

Apart from the aforementioned features, Guangzhou Orchid Garden contains, some impressive waterways, bridges, tiny little stone pathways and even a fairly sizeable mazelike cave system... Don't miss such charming sites as the Thatched Cottage, Time Cherishing Veranda, Bright Mirror Pavilion and my personal favorite, the Hall of Sharing Fragrance Together...!

Pictured here, some of the exotic plants of the garden...

One note about the sounds of the garden: there is an extensive speaker system arranged throughout the garden which constantly plays the same classical Chinese music piece over and over again... I would like to take over their sound system, just for one day, and play whatever I choose... Blast some Vivaldi, Natacha Atlas, Carmina Burana, or even Diamanda Galas out there! The place would totally rock!

In the picture here, I am posing alongside a large intricate stone formation that is one of the key art pieces of the garden... With an enclosed lower level and chiseled staircase leading to the upper level, this jagged tower of stone is a fantastic resting point from which to observe the sights and sounds of the botanical garden...