The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden

As a Chinese who always embrace traditional architecture (like the forbidden city), I could hardly believe that I have not discovered this place after staying in NY for so long. Today was simply a lucky day for me I guess.
Not so conveniently located, this small yard-​type garden was very much alike the classical garden of Suzhou, which carried pools, pavilions and plants and organized them in a way to represent life of elegance and delicacy. The Chinese garden in Staten Island did that in a simpler way. By walking on the stone-​built road, I could feel myself being brought back to the Qing dynasty. It was already a bit late in the season to enjoy the foliage; nevertheless the perfect sky color made it up completely.
Given the long distance, I would think twice before visiting again. Definitely suggest to anyone who has strong hype in China and Chinese culture!

My first time here was for a cocktail hour I attended. It was so astonished by the beauty of the garden’s design and architecture. I was definitely not expecting to see this. I loved the design better than the the Brooklyn Japanese Garden but wish they had a bigger lake. This is a must see if you go to Snug Harbor. n

The Garden was surely once beautiful and still has its charms, but looks completely neglected and is falling apart. It is very sad and an embarrassment to our City.

To me this is the best part of Snug Harbor, hidden behind a building with separate entrance fees if you’re not a member.

Another hidden beauty within the Staten Island Cultural center. The $ 5 admission fee was worth every cent. The garden was serene, peaceful and beautiful. There were a lot of photographers taking different angles of the garden. The day was gorgeous and sunny out and it was truly a great visit. I felt like I was in a different place other than NYC. We visited in the early afternoon and it wasn’t too crowded. I could see how it could get really crowded since it’s such a small garden. What I didn’t see was any staff available to answer questions if you had some. This is definitely a place you want to bookmark and take a trip out to see.

I’m a photographer and I just love love love this place .i took a lot of beautiful photos of my friend there.

This is definitely my favorite part of the Staten Island Botanical Gardens. The price to enter this exhibit is $ 5 per person to enter. That price is high for a small-​to-​mid-​sized exhibit, but I enjoyed this garden nonetheless. I was tipped by a cool Unilocaler (Thanks! — You know who you are.) that it’s free to enter during the off-​season.
Upon entering the exhibit, I heard someone play music in the background, probably in a way just to enhance the vibe of this exhibit. That was a really nice touch, and I actually heard it when I was outside of the exhibit, waiting to get in. Also, outside of the entrance, I saw some plants with labels on them. They looked just ok.
Speaking of plants, we saw a good number of trees, bushes and bamboo. Some of those looked good, and others looked okay. We didn’t see a lot of flowers here, and the ones that we came across here looked nice. We even saw a tree with fruit growing on top of us, and that looked really good. But there was more than just the plants that made this exhibit look really appealing.
The surrounding building that encompassed the garden exhibit looked and felt like I was in China. Signs with Chinese writing was almost everywhere, and there was even writing on the lampposts (which you had to look real closely to see)! There was even a room that you could walk into, that had chairs on both sides and an open space in-​between. I actually pictured a kung-​fu lesson being held here, since this was almost like what I saw in the movies. This was very nice, indeed.
Some parts of the path that you had to walk on contained some artwork designs, which looked neat. There was also a pond with fish swimming around, which was in the middle of the exhibit. That was interesting to see. Finally, there was a viewpoint area where you could look out to see more plants in the distance. That was just okay.
Overall, for anyone who’s looking for a unique garden exhibit for the first time and doesn’t mind paying a fee to enter when it’s mandatory, I highly recommend coming here.
Cheers!

Tiny garden that replicates the garden in Suzhou, China. I was under the assumption that there is a fee to get in, but on the day I came, it was open to the public for free. It’s a nice place to walk around and the pond also has lots of fishes.
Good photo op area. Great place to just go walk around on a nice warm day.

It’s a tiny garden in the middle of Snug Harbor. I went there by the S44 bus and got to the garden via the back entrance. Along the way, you can check out the healing garden, wetlands and the secret garden too. I didn’t have to pay an entrance fee when I was there, the gate was not staffed and it was just wide-​opened, so I just walked right in.
It is really a small place and you will finish the walk in about 15 minutes. It does have unique features, such as the bamboo trees, the koi pond and a showcase of old Chinese building architectures, but the place is poorly maintained. For example, the koi pond’s water is so discolored, I feel awful for the koi swimming in it. Also, you can see paints chipping off the roof and shingles of the buildings.
If you don’t want to fly all the way to Suzhou, China to see the real deal (called the Couple’s Retreat Garden), then you can come here instead. But I want to stress the fact that it might not be worth the trip and $ if you’re expecting this to be a grand place.

I went to the original one in Suzhou, China that this one is based on a couple of years ago and I recognized many of the details. It is much like a smaller version of the original garden. While I liked the one in Montréal, this one is more authentic. There is a lovely Bamboo path, great structures, pathways and the windows are each uniquely designed just as the one in China has hundreds of uniquely designed windows. The fish and foliage really complete the garden. The designers and builders did a great job!
It is definitely worth visiting perhaps as a day of Staten Island oriented activities as it is a bit of a trek (though much easier and cheaper than going to China!). Coming by car is relatively easy as there is free parking. Regular admission is $ 5 (the rest of Snug Harbor is free except for the Museum) and the reduced price is $ 4. The garden is also part of the reciprocal membership program, though I would recommend supporting the garden, especially if you are in a position to do so to help keep it in good condition. This is really a gem.

Feast for the eyes! Well if you’re into Chinese architecture but even so the place is so visually appealing anyone would enjoy coming here. This place is located within Snug Harbor and if it weren’t for some of the workers that were there we wouldn’t have known where the entrance is. The garden is pretty big and the path leads you through the pond & mini waterfall outside all through the inside of the building. The details on the building are fantastic. The ponds also had groups of koi fish! Once you get inside there are no signs plastered around saying no smoking or any signs for directions to other places which just makes you feel like you actually did step into old China. Very serene and peaceful setting. The place is also surprisingly free of litter considering you see people carrying along snacks with them. I hope it stays that way. While we were here a wedding was about to take place so you might want to watch out to avoid walking into a wedding reception.
This one of my new favorite places and I’m looking forward going back for the autumn moon festival this year.

This is a really amazing garden I thought it was cool that I didn’t have to pay five bucks. Lol the surrounding was amazing and calm… Walking around looking as all different types of Asian flowers/​trees. There was even a road of bamboos it was amazing! The way the area built made me feel like I was in Asia again! I love how there was a coy fish pond… there was about 10 – 15 fishes… the setting looked like an old Asian house kinda cool… Was quite and lovely… The flowering had amazing rocks and pebbles that made it seem so life like. The rocks looked like Asian jade rocks… Really have to visit this place during the spring… It’s not the biggest botanic garden but it is a really amazing one!

Pretty spot with some great views of nature! Very picturesque, tranquil and a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Check this place out if you’re in the area! I came here to do some photo shoots for a friend hehe, it was very scenic!

Last year, a friend who moved to NYC for summer asked me about places to visit in Staten Island. I listed the usual, the Ferry, Verrazano, Ft. Wardsworth and South Beach… But one place, I said, you absolutely MUST see. A real hidden gem even most New Yorkers do not know about. It’s Chinese Scholar Garden in Snug Harbor.
I will not repeat the story and building facts — you can read it on their site or in other reviews. I will just tell you that this Garden is incredible.
It’s most beautiful serene place. Unbelievably well designed & authentic. Relaxing & picturesque.
Take your time and sit on one of the benches, watching the koi swimming in the pond, listening for bamboo whispering in the wind, and feeling pink flower petals fall to the palm of your hand.
Go in Spring, when trees are in bloom and koi wake up from winter nap.
It is worth a day trip to forgotten borough, I promise you.

I know it’s really hard to get to Staten Island if you don’t have a car, so if you’re in the area or decide to have a Staten Island adventure, check this place out! The garden is $ 5, and it is well worth it! It’s within Snug Harbor, there are a couple of parking lots there and it didn’t seem like it cost anything. I think the garden closes at 5.
The entrance to the garden is fairly hidden and it doesn’t seem well manned, if you go wondering the wrong way. But when you find it WOW! It opens up into a beautiful oasis of small buildings, trees, water and flowers. You really can’t believe that this exists in NYC.
It is truly a beautiful sight to see. No words can really describe the peace and tranquility that this place brings to you. My friend and I are fairly loud people but we went whispering through the garden taking in the beauty and calmness of this place.
I can’t really explain the place but that it’s like heaven, bring your camera, take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
**Hint Hint to the boyfriends out there, wanna impress your girl with a romantic date take here. Or even to pop the question! MAJOR POINTS!

The chinese scholars garden is located inside the snug cultural center in staten island. Difficult to find but worth one visit. Once you get off the staten island ferry, you need to take the S40 bus two stops to Snug Harbor. The garden is one of the many sites within the snug center and there is a small $ 5 admission. Once you enter, it reminds me of ancient chinese movie. A good place to take your folks (if you are chinese) or you are interested in chinese culture.

It took forever to realize the entrance to the park. Walked along the way as others also scratch their heads to where to get in. I suggest putting the sign closer to the road as people walk by, so they know where to go. Pay the fee in the house/​gift shop and head in.
Once you get in, it is absolutely beautiful. My mom really enjoyed it. They have koi in the waterscape they built. They had little nooks and crannies that you can sit and even snack a little to enjoy the beautiful landscaping. Very serene and a nice zone out place.
Definitely worth the trip to take a look. They have bathrooms by the shop (entrance/​exit). Decently clean.

4.5 stars…
This is one of many gardens contained within the Staten Island Botanical Gardens, for more information see my review of the Staten Island Botanical Gardens:

WOW and wow– that is what we kept saying while we walked around here. Feels more like an open air house– the architecture is beyond belief and stunning! Go when you have some serious time to kill and can linger and sit and enjoy the water pools and the bridges and the bamboo rustling in the wind.
I will certainly go back. I got some killer photos here.

«The garden is created by the human hand, but should appear as if created by heaven.»
This is paraphrasing the 15^th century garden designer Ji Ching.
The scholar’s garden has a tradition of nearly 2,000 years and was built by a scholar or administrator retiring from the emperor’s court.
This garden, situated in the Staten Island Botanical Garden, at Sailor Snug Harbor, had it’s beginnings in 1984. A contract with the Suzhou branch of the Landscape Architecture Corporation of China was secured. All the architectural components of The New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden were prefabricated in Suzhou, including roof and floor tiles, columns and beams, doors and windows, bridges and paving materials and carefully chosen rocks.
In 1998 a team of 40 Chinese artists and artisans from Suzhou lived on the grounds and started construction, six months later, they had finished their work and created the ONLY Chinese Scholar’s Garden in the United States.
This garden elicits both a contemplative and sensual experience. All the elements of a classic Scholar’s Garden are present: wood, rocks, water, plantings, furniture, walls, walkways, pavillions, Xie (Xie is a building with one half over a lake or pond, and supporting columns in the water. The structure is designed to give the illusion that the building is floating over the water’s surface), bridges, paving, painting and calligraphy. I believe you will cherish a day at this sanctuary. I am a fool for not going more often.
Two miles west of the ferry, it is a short S40 bus ride, or cab trip from the ferry terminal.
OH NO! i just gave you a really good reason to come to Staten Island. Ugh. It’s true.
Maybe i’ll see you there!