Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney (must see)

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a serene oasis in the midst of the bustling city of Sydney. It was a gift from its sister city Guangzhou. The layout is based on the typical landscape of Ming Dynasty Chinese gardens.

The Garden's inauguration in 1988 formed part of the bicentennial celebrations of the city. It was called the "garden of friendship" forging a bond between China and Australia. It is located near Chinatown in Darling Harbor and showcases the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Chinese garden. It is the only authentic Chinese garden outside Asia.

The landscape is unique because visitors cannot see the entire garden from any point within the park. Other features include a Dragon Wall that symbolizes the friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou, a water pavilion filled with lotus flowers, stone bridges, waterfalls, exotic plants and twin pavilions. A Chinese Bonsai nursery is also located in the garden. The tea house serves an array of Chinese refreshments in addition to traditional Chinese tea. It has become a popular venue for weddings and other social gatherings in Sydney.

Why You Should Visit:
Very calming atmosphere, quiet, but with sounds of trickling waterfalls, and birds.
Although in the heart of the city, the traffic is barely audible and there are loads of places to sit and relax.
Multiple photo opportunities, though it's imperative to have a map so you don't get lost and repeat what you've already seen.

Tip:
Not a free site but very affordable and you can use the ticket all day.
If you can, schedule your visit to join the free guided tour offered by garden's volunteers.