Many ancient gardens in China are still enjoyed today as community gathering places. On May 15, the Seattle Chinese Garden, one of the largest traditional gardens under construction outside of China, will mark completion of the first major courtyard with an open house celebration.
A Chinese garden is a confluence of art and nature, balancing and harmonizing the elements of architecture, horticulture, water, and rockery. People are the fifth element; a Chinese garden is a vibrant community gathering place. Seattle’s planned five-acre garden and cultural center, when complete, will feature an 85-foot-tall pavilion with views of Seattle, mountains and Puget Sound, a teahouse on a lotus pond, and a meeting/banquet hall seating 200. Pathways will lead through bamboo groves, pines and maples, and follow a stream through a rocky gorge to a lake. Small pavilions along the way will invite visitors to sit and enjoy the beauty around them. The location is a superb tract of state-owned land at South Seattle Community College, adjacent to the college arboretum and horticultural center.
The Seattle Chinese Garden had its genesis in the early days of the Seattle-Chongqing sister city relationship, which was established in 1983. In 1986, the sister cities signed a memorandum to launch the ambitious garden project. This complex cultural project is a long-time labor of love for many volunteers and advocates in our region, and is run by the Seattle Chinese Garden Society (SCGS) a non-profit organization.
From August to early November 2010, 21 master artisans from China constructed the traditional elements of the first courtyard — an elaborate tile-roofed gate and exterior walkways, distinctive woodwork and windows, water feature, and stone paving. The Seattle Chinese Garden is also known as Xi Hua Yuan, (Xi in Mandarin is the first syllable for Seattle and also means “western” – Hua is an ancient name for the Chinese people and nation and also means “flower” – Yuan is the word for garden).
The Open House Celebration, free and open to the public, is Sunday, May 15 from 3–5 pm. It will feature traditional music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, and other activities. The garden is located in West Seattle at the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus at 6000 16th Avenue SW, just a five minute drive from the Delridge Way exit on the West Seattle Bridge; free parking is available in the SSCC north parking lot. For more information visit www.seattlechinesegarden.org or call 206-764-5219.
Can’t make the celebration? Regular spring hours are Wednesday through Sunday 12 to 5:30 pm. Docent Tours are Saturdays at 1pm. Admission is free to Seattle residents, SCG members, and children under 5. Otherwise: Adults $6, Seniors 62+ $5, Students $5.
Information and photos for this article were provided by the Seattle Chinese Garden Society and the Seattle Chinese Garden blog (blog.seattlechinesegarden.org)
Photo Caption: Master Qian Timing displays the elegance and quietness of Tao at the Seattle Chinese Garden. Photo by Liz Hattemer
This article recently appeared in the May 2011 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50. For more information, visit www.NorthwestPrimeTime.com
