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A Chinese Oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich
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A Chinese Oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich
Destination:
Switzerland, Zurich
Date:
14.11.2020
Journeys for Culture Lovers
Majestic Mother Nature
Zurich city might not have a China Town, but it does have a Chinese oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich.
You will definitely discover it if you are passing by the lake promenade at Zurichhorn.
The China Garden of Zurich - or in other words the Temple Garden by the lake - is considered by many of its admirers as one of the loveliest oriental-inspired gardens outside of China.
One of the highest-ranking gardens outside of China
Zurich city might not have a China Town, but it does have a Chinese oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich. You will definitely discover it if you are passing by the lake promenade at Zurichhorn. The China Garden of Zurich - or in other words the Temple Garden by the lake - is considered by many of its admirers as one of the loveliest oriental-inspired gardens outside of China. A relatively small garden, it’s peaceful and pretty, and adds a restful interlude to any exploration of cultured Zurich. The place has a marvellous mystique that I often associate with Asian landscapes and at only 4 francs (3,7 Euros) to enter, it was definitely a good investment!
What’s the story with the Chinese Garden?
This tranquil garden has an interesting story to tell (as you will discover in the brochure that you'll receive at the cashier) “It is a gift from the Chinese partner city Kunming to the citizens of Zurich as a thank you for the technical and scientific help in developing the Kunming drinking water supply and city drainage system. Its construction was made possible by the Zurich Water board to celebrate its 125- year anniversary in 1993.” I admire when cities show their respect and appreciation to other cities who have made a major contribution to their culture in such a creative and recreational way. This is what I call civilization.
The gardens
Do make a point of visiting the Chinese oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich while visiting the city. There is much to admire there, such as the ornate gates, the square and hexagonal pavilions with their exotic angles, the island and its pavilion embellished with pretty bridges, the water palace and terrace - to name a few things. It also provides an opportunity to learn about the fascinating cultural heritage of China.
The concept
The concept of the garden is based on one of the most important themes of Chinese culture: “the three friends in the winter”. The three friends are three Chinese plants - the pine, bamboo and winter cherry - and together, the three of them defy the cold winter. Find out more about this and other ancient stories of the Chinese culture in this Chinese oasis at the promenade of Lake Zurich. Last but not least, if you want to round off your Chinese experience, you can treat yourself to Chinese take away food while you’re there. I haven’t tried it personally, so perhaps you can let me know how it is!
I hope you enjoy the experience!