Dunedin Chinese Garden
Dunedin Chinese Garden
Dunedin Chinese Garden
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Explore an authentic example of a Chinese scholar's garden that celebrates the Chinese influence on Otago's history and heritage. The Garden Gift Shop offers the chance to find something culturally different while the Tea House allows you to take your taste buds on their very own tour of China. The garden is open every day expect Christmas Day. As one of only three gardens outside China and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, it is a truly captivating cultural experience not to be missed.
Duration: < 1 hour
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72 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- bookwormKarinBiel, Switzerland216 contributionsUnforgettable!Make sure to plan enough time for this gem. It's small but there's so much to see and admire. Also take the time to read at least a few of the information pannels. An unforgettable outing for people who seek beauty, serenity and calm within a bustling city.Visited January 2024Traveled soloWritten April 17, 2024
- cjmjsChristchurch, New Zealand73 contributionsA must see tourist attractionVisited with family. Amazing tranquil space in the middle of the city. Design very clever making the garden seem bigger than is. Seated spaces to take in the atmosphere. Craftsmanship of the structures are very impressive. Good to learn about local Chinese history. Will go againVisited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 3, 2024
- Robert D5,379 contributionsBeautiful gardenThe Lee Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden was built in China in 2007, disassembled and then brought to Dunedin to be re-erected. It is one of the few authentic Chinese scholar gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Dunedin has long had links with China. Many Chinese came to Dunedin during the Gold Rush of the 1860s. This beautiful garden is a tribute to them.Visited November 2024Traveled soloWritten January 18, 2025
- L Q85 contributionsEspecially great when it’s rainingLovely. A great value. It was raining the day we went which meant we had the place to ourselves. Most walkways are covered so you’re out of the rain and the beauty of it is just enhanced. Be sure to take the free audio guide to learn about the clever design principles. If you linger in the tea room with its Chinese games, you could easily spend an hour here.Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten January 23, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
533 reviews
Excellent
255
Very good
183
Average
64
Poor
23
Terrible
8
afong138
Sydney, Australia290 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
It is a small & basic garden but worth the visit. Specially if you are interested in
the history of early Chinese settlements during gold rush period in 1866.
If you got time, the video is over half an hour about the history on how the
Chinese was badly treated at that time. The entry fee are $10/adult & $7.20 for
senior. It is walking distance from town center & a pay car parking area
near by. There is also a small gift shop, tea house & also a clean toilet on site.
The majority of pathway are fully wheelchair accessible.
the history of early Chinese settlements during gold rush period in 1866.
If you got time, the video is over half an hour about the history on how the
Chinese was badly treated at that time. The entry fee are $10/adult & $7.20 for
senior. It is walking distance from town center & a pay car parking area
near by. There is also a small gift shop, tea house & also a clean toilet on site.
The majority of pathway are fully wheelchair accessible.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugh „Red“ O‘Donnell
Munich, Germany137 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Chinese garden is a beautiful place to relax, have tea, read, in the middle of the railway station area of Dunedin. Entrance is not free, but it is worth it (currently 9.50 NZD for an adult). Attention: the garden closes at 5 pm, like pretty much everything else.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
london057
Dublin, OH680 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Very nice Chinese garden 🪴 . Another the buildings at this garden 🪴 reminded me of the buildings of at the China 🇨🇳 Pavilion at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World 🌍 in Florida . Lastly these gardens also remind of the Japanese Tea 🍵 Gardens in both San Francisco and Buenos Aires.
Written January 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Superwoman888
Auckland Central, New Zealand324 contributions
Feb 2021
For a history buff, or a first time visitor to Otago, a visit here is necessary to complement the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum next door.
It is here you will find a wall of interesting history on the arrival of ethnic Chinese migrants in the Otago region during with the gold rush era beginning in the 1850s and later on, their significant role and influence in this region.
There is an entry free of $10.
There were few other visitors on the overcast and wet day I was there. Allowed for quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the garden's landscapes and water features.
Tea house on site.
It is here you will find a wall of interesting history on the arrival of ethnic Chinese migrants in the Otago region during with the gold rush era beginning in the 1850s and later on, their significant role and influence in this region.
There is an entry free of $10.
There were few other visitors on the overcast and wet day I was there. Allowed for quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the garden's landscapes and water features.
Tea house on site.
Written February 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sir_Hugoagogo
Edinburgh, UK125 contributions
Mar 2020
We visited here while on a cruise and it was well worth finding. Even though it was fairly central in the city it was amazing how the water features, plants and general design created such a peaceful haven. The story of how and why it was built and the secrets behind the design of this and other scholars gardens was distributed around the site which gave visitors a great insight into why things were as they are. There is a small fee to get in but we thought it was worth it.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelsWithPhillip
Auckland, New Zealand348 contributions
Feb 2021
These are traditional Chinese gardens, similar to what you see in China. The garden consists of paths, water features, planting and rock formations laid out in accordance with Chinese philosophy. The wall of the early history of the Chinese in New Zealand is well worth taking the time to be read.
It is located in the city centre, it is worth to visit when you visit Dunedin.
It is located in the city centre, it is worth to visit when you visit Dunedin.
Written February 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marsha D
Santa Rosa, CA58 contributions
Mar 2020
Our New Zealand guide recommended to our Ohio State Univ. Alum. Assoc. group that we visit the unique Chinese Garden in Dunedin. We truly appreciated each authentic feature!! We had just visited the famous Chinese Garden in Shanghai in October and truly admired the special care that was given in the development of this reproduction. Each and every room surrounding the garden was beautifully done and very special.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Garry H
Edmonton, Canada61 contributions
Jun 2020
Visited today and thought it wonderful. Being a winters day I can imagine just how nice it would be in Spring and Summer. It’s a lot larger than it looks from the outside. Lots of information about Chinese culture and the early Chinese settlers in the region.
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
buckeyetravel
Ohio315 contributions
Nov 2019
For the entrance price I was expecting a larger garden but it was pretty small and not overly impressive. The settlers museum next door is really good so definitely give that a try. If you are tight on time you can skip this one.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert E
Carterton, New Zealand34 contributions
Jan 2020
To the out of town visitor this is kind of hidden away but once found an enjoyable wander is waiting to be had.
The wall of the early history of the Chinese in New Zealand is well worth taking the time to be read. Their green tea is the real thing not a pretend one and taken outside by the water is a real refresher of life.
The wall of the early history of the Chinese in New Zealand is well worth taking the time to be read. Their green tea is the real thing not a pretend one and taken outside by the water is a real refresher of life.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this place suitable for partly disabled persons? Meaning as in those who can only walk very short distance at a time, and unable to do more than 3 stairs at a time. Thank you
Written October 19, 2016
I would say Yes. You can get to most of it without going up more than a couple of steps and there are many places to sit and enjoy the garden.
Written October 24, 2016
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