Staten Island Botanical, Staten Island: Scholar's Garden

Tucked away within the Staten Island Botanical Garden is an artistic gem, a Chinese Scholar's Garden. A scholar's garden is the epitome of landscaping art for a private home. Located in a densely populated city, it creates a sense of tranquility and countryside, with the rocks symbolizing the distant mountains.

Entering the garden transports you back 700 years to the Ming Dynasty in China. The Assured Tranquility Pavilion, Moon Gate Of Uncommon Beauty, and Court Of Pure Mind And Spirit are just three of the eighteen named areas in the garden that create a sense of infinite space in a small area. Walking through is like a journey, each step providing a different and surprising sight.

This scholar’s garden was created in Suzhou, China and was rebuilt here with a team of forty Chinese artisans, and it was opened in 1999. Complete with all the traditional elements of rocks, water, walls, poetry, art, and walkways, it is a garden that draws you in, entices you, and invites you to stay.