Day of Harmony .... Lansu Chinese Gardens
Nestled into one square city block of downtown Portland is the Lan Su Chinese Gardens. You leave all notion of bustling behind as soon as you enter the gates of the Lan Su Chinese Gardens. In my case, I came to find an afternoon haven at the corner of N.W. Everett Street and 3rd Avenue.
History
Portland officially became a city in 1851, encouraged by a burgeoning shipping industry. It’s original core was the area now known as Old Town. With the new city’s need of labor, Chinese and Japanese immigrants found a place to establish roots here, a place of refuge. Old Town also became known as Chinatown. It is now a neighborhood of bustling night time entertainment. During the weekends it is alive with Saturday Market and Voodoo Doughnuts.
And More History
Lan Su Chinese Gardens was built and completed in 2000. It was a collaboration between Portland and Suzhou, Portland’s sister city in China. Everything was imported from China. This included sixty-five artisans from from the home country that lived ten months in Portland. They were here to assemble and complete the structures that were crafted in their home country. All the rocks, for example, acquiring their shape from their long life under waterways in China, were imported. That made 500 tons of them!
The city gardens found in China in the sixteenth century were pockets of retreat. They served as a haven from the busy, even chaotic, energy that surrounds you in a city. They brought the Tao, living in harmony with the natural world, into daily life. I think everyone at Lan Su the day I visited was on the same page of “tranquility and harmony”. Added, too, was a lot of good energy. Curiously, while there, I was not aware of the many city buildings that are so obvious in my photographs. Although, they seem to blend in harmoniously.
Portland can be at it’s best in the Fall. This particular day was beautifully bright with soft air. That’s not always the case in the city where it rains for days. If you are visiting Portland during the rain, do as the locals would do and visit Lan Su anyway. Some swear that the most beautiful time to be there is during the rain. Still doubtful? Check out this site: lansugarden.org/visit/lan-su-in-the-rain/
Need a refresher with further relaxation after all the mindful rest in the gardens. Don’t miss the Tower of Cosmic Reflections while visiting, a true Chinese tea house : https://roadtosuchness.comthe-tower-of-cosmic-reflections/
