Seattle Chinese Garden facts for kids
The Seattle Chinese Garden (Chinese: 西華園; pinyin: Xī Huáyuán; Jyutping: Sai1 Waa4jyun4; lit. 'West Chinese garden') is a special place in West Seattle, Washington. It's located on the campus of South Seattle Community College. From the garden, you can see amazing views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and even the Cascade Mountains. You might even spot Mount Baker and Mount Rainier on a clear day! The first part of this beautiful garden opened a long time ago, in the early 1990s.
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A Unique Garden's Story
When it's all finished, the Seattle Chinese Garden will be one of the biggest Chinese gardens outside of China. It's designed to show off the special style from the Sichuan region of China. This makes it the first garden in the United States to truly represent the Sichuan style.
Working Together with China
The garden was planned and built with help from experts in Seattle and its sister city, Chongqing, China. The design includes plants and rock formations inspired by China's famous Yangtze River gorges. Many of the garden's buildings, like its formal halls and pavilions, were made in Chongqing. They used traditional materials and building methods. Artisans from China even came to Seattle to help put them together!
Building the Garden in Phases
The Seattle Chinese Garden has been built in different stages. The first part, called the Pine and Plum Pavilion, opened in the early 1990s.
The "Knowing the Spring Courtyard" was the second main building. It was finished in late 2010 and opened to visitors in February 2011. A big celebration was held in May 2011, with important people from both Seattle and Chongqing attending. Parts for this courtyard were also made in Chongqing. Chinese artisans and local builders worked together to assemble them here.
What You'll Find in the Garden
The garden will have many kinds of Chinese plants. These plants are arranged in a way that truly shows the Sichuan landscape design. You'll also find a collection of Sichuan-style penjing, which are like Chinese bonsai trees. The garden plans to offer classes about plants and Chinese culture too.
Special Buildings and Views
The Seattle Chinese Garden will have 12 buildings in total. These include an education center where you can learn new things. There will also be a banquet hall big enough for up to 200 people to have special events.
One of the most impressive parts will be the "Floating Clouds Pavilion." This pavilion will be about 85 feet tall and will stand over the garden. It's even lined up perfectly with Seattle's famous Space Needle!
