The Chinese Garden is one of the true treasures of downtown Portland. The rest of Chinatown is known more for its nightclubs, but this oasis is something you should add to your “must visit” list.
There are events most days, ranging from Tai Chi in the courtyard to artist meetings and craft events. Check out the calendar over on their website to find something fun to coincide with your visit here.
Lan Su was built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou, our sister city in China. It is considered one the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. After you finish walking through all of the pavilions, head over to the tea house for some superb Chinese tea.
There are many types of teas to choose from but I highly recommend doing the full tea ceremony. The ceremony allows you to choose a style of tea and observe the leaves and aroma more fully. You are also able to take in the unfolding of the aroma as you continue to add infusions of water to the leaves.
In addition, there are many lovely snacks to nibble on while you are tasting the teas. They stick to authentic Chinese fare so the snacks really complement the tea quite well. Whether you want something sweet, savory, or a small meal, the tea room has you covered.
We tried the steamed buns which were filled with sautéed seasonal vegetables. The buns were perfectly doughy and they weren’t overfilled. We also had the seasonal vegetable dumplings. They were steamed and topped with a light black bean sauce. Overall we were really happy with the food and can’t wait to visit again.
Have you been to check out the Chinese garden or the tea house yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments!