A Cultural Treasure Blossoms

One Palisadian Shares a Groundbreaking Experience at The Huntington’s Chinese Garden

By GISELA MORIARTY | Special to the Palisadian-Post

An easy day’s outing from Pacific Palisades, “Liu Fang Yuan,” The Huntington’s classical Chinese Garden, has become one of the most popular attractions in this world-famous complex of libraries, museums and gardens.

Opened on 3.5 acres in 2008, the garden was enlarged in 2014 and is about to become even more impressive, with the addition of a third and final phase, which will bring it to 12 acres.

I was privileged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28. The garden will be open throughout the construction of the new sections.

Private scholars’ gardens, with their meandering paths and pleasing features, are a many-centuries-old Chinese tradition for the benefit of mind and spirit. Suzhou, China, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its many elegant gardens, provided inspiration and architectural expertise.

The features of this “Garden of Flowing Fragrance” include a rock grotto and 10 tile-roofed pavilions around a one-acre lake. Bearing poetic names such as “Pavilion of the Three Friends” and “Clear and Transcendent Pavilion,” they offer picturesque views in every direction. Rocks of all sizes and configurations—representing endurance—are carefully placed along the lake and paths, some inscribed with inspiring messages for the visitor.

Harmony with nature remains a key element, seen here in the carefully placed stones and plantings along the meandering path. In the lake, koi (carp) symbolize strength, determination and the promise of good fortune. Lotuses symbolize purity, honor and long life. Gracefully arched stone bridges, a major landscape feature in Chinese gardens, provide lovely perspectives.

The elegant Chinese Garden Tea House, “The Hall of the Jade Camellia,” offers snacks and entrees and an expansive view over the lake.

Well worth the trip, The Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens are at 1151 Oxford Road in San Marino, just over the Pasadena line. Hours are Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 626-405-2100 or visit huntington.org.