Chinese Garden, Zurich

Zürich's Chinese garden is located in the city's Seefeld quarter, next to the Pavillon Le Corbusier between Blatterwiese and Bellerivestrasse and near to the Zürichhorn peninsula on the right shore of Zürichsee.

Ending winter season, the garden will be opened on March 18 to October 18, daily from 11:00 (am) to 19:00 (7 pm), even on Sundays and public holidays.

Its official inauguration was in spring 1994, under participation of the now former mayor of Kunming City and Zürich's Josef Estermann.

The surrounding wall separates the outer mundane world from art, an ideal microcosm in the garden inside – offers protection against unwanted visitors, too.

Eaves and final bricks as well as the frieze bear small sculptural figures, representing the Chinese dragon of clouds.

The main portal (entrance) is emblazoned with a calligraphy on a golden plate, meaning China Garden.

A carved archway is devoted to the spring, a magpie and plum blossoms announce the newly waked life.

The painting of its exterior walls, doors and windows is deliberately kept simple, so that visitors are able to concentrate to the inner qualities of the building.

The garden is an expression of one of the main themes of Chinese culture, the «Three Friends of Winter» – three plants that together brave the cold season – pine, bamboo and plum blossom.