Hidden Gem in NYC｜Chinese Scholar's Garden
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden 📍 1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island, NY 10301 Tucked away in Staten Island's Snug Harbor Cultural Center, this authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden is one of only two classical Chinese outdoor gardens in the entire U.S. Built in 1999 by 40 master craftsmen from Suzhou, every tile, beam, and stone was shipped from China and assembled using ancient mortise-and-tenon techniques—no nails or glue! 🌉✨ Why It's Magical 15-foot Taihu rocks resemble frozen mountain poems. Three ponds and waterfalls embody the philosophy: "Water is the lifeblood of heaven and earth." Moon gates and pavilions frame dreamlike floating vistas. Symbolic plants like peonies, purple bamboo, and azaleas whisper cultural stories. The Backstory In 1984, NYBG president Frances Paulo Huber dreamed of bringing a real Chinese garden to America. With support from NYC, the Chinese community, and volunteers, Suzhou artisans spent 1 year prefabricating parts in China + 6 months assembling them onsite. Every "thin, wrinkled, leaky, transparent" rock is a trans-Pacific cultural dialogue. Visiting Tips 🚢 By Ferry (Best Option): Take the Staten Island Ferry to St. George Terminal → Walk to bus S40/S44. 🚌 By Bus (If No Ferry): Bus S53 to Staten Island → Transfer to S44 (annoying but doable). 🚗 By Car/Uber: Easier for avoiding schedule hiccups! 🎟️ Tickets: Adults 5∣Students/Seniors(65+)4 | Kids under 5 FREE. Staten Island residents get FREE entry on the 1st Friday monthly (show proof of address). ⏰ Hours (From May 2025): Wed-Fri: 12PM–7PM | Sat-Sun: 11AM–7PM (last entry 6:30PM). ⚠️ Closed for bad weather, private events, and holidays—check the website! Final Thoughts A living museum of Chinese philosophy and craftsmanship, where every step feels like wandering through a 1,000-year-old painting. 🖼️ #NYC #NYCHiddenGems #CitywalkNYC #CulturalSites #NYCTravel #TravelGram #NYCGuide #ExploreNYC
