Sydney is a sister city with Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, China.
To celebrate Australia's 1988 Bicentenary the local Chinese community of Sydney designed and built the Chinese Garden to reflect the close bond of friendship and cooperation between the cities and share their rich cultural heritage.
Running water, towering willow trees, cool lagoons with lotus plants and large colorful fish make this an idyllic spot to relax and contemplate. The gardens occupy several acres combining waterfalls, lakes, pavilions, sculpture and animals with main features being the Courtyard of Welcoming Fragrance, Dragon Wall, Water Pavilion of Lotus Fragrance, Twin Pavilion, Gurr, Rock Forest, and the Penjing.

Every Sunday in November, the Chinese Garden and Art of Penjing Tours offer visitors an insight into the intricate, harmonious Chinese garden culture in one of the only authentic Chinese gardens outside of mainland China.
Visitors can join Penjing Specialist and Resident Horticulturalist, Philippe Tot on an in-depth exploration of the natural and architectural beauties within the Chinese Garden followed by a demonstration of the ancient art of Penjing.

Tours operate every Sunday in November from 11.00am - 2.30pm at a cost (2008) of $50 including entry, lunch, tour and demonstration. For more information and bookings: (02) 9240 8888

Chinese gardens vary from western-style gardens in that there are no planted flowerbeds or manicured lawns. Instead, wild aspects of nature are recreated in artfully designed landscapes that feature waterfalls, mountains, lakes and forests.
The design began in imperial parks during the Zhang dynasty 3000 years ago and was adopted on a smaller scale in private gardens of China's rich and powerful.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour is a scaled-down version of a typical private garden from this era.