Did you know you can feel like you’ve been transported to a lush garden in China, right here in NYC?
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island is home to The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden (NYCSG), one of only two “authentic, classical outdoor Chinese gardens” built in the U.S.
And before you say that Staten Island is too far, Snug Harbor is right near the ferry terminal (just a 10-minute bus ride), so you can make a day of it! Reminder: the Staten Island Ferry is free to ride, has great views of the Statue of Liberty, and sells booze on board!
The Chinese Scholar’s Garden isn’t a direct copy of a specific garden in China; rather, it combines many different ones — mainly inspired by Ming Dynasty gardens from between 1368 and 1644 AD. The physical elements were even constructed in Suzhou, China and brought to Staten Island — like roof and floor tiles, columns and beams, the doors and windows, bridges and paving materials. But constructors did not use nails or glue. Instead, the wooden elements are connected by a “mortise-and-tenon system” that is part of traditional Chinese building techniques.
Here’s a peek at everything the beautiful Garden contains (as shared on the Snug Harbor website):
- Eight pavilions
- Bamboo forest path
- Waterfalls
- Koi-filled pond
- Chinese calligraphy
- Variety of Ghongshi scholar’s rocks including a 15-foot formation that towers over the central courtyard
The Chinese Scholar’s Garden first opened in 1999, after a 40-person design and building team spent a year in China creating the different Garden features. “Craftsmen-in-residence” then spent an additional six months on Staten Island to finish construction.
Snug Harbor has not set Garden visiting hours for the spring 2024 yet. Still, the Garden is open for tours on March 23, March 24, March 30, March 31, April 6, and April 7. Tours begin at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Admission costs $5 for adults and $4 for seniors (65+) and students.