"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? “Oasis” is a word often used to describe urban gardens, but step out of the downtown fray and into Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and it really does feel like you’ve entered an island of calm. Perched at the edge of Chinatown, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is modeled after the Ming Dynasty–era scholar’s gardens in Suzhou, China. It’s also regularly named among the best city gardens on the planet. The serene spot is far from a touristy knockoff, too. A collaboration between governments in Canada and China, the garden and structures were designed and built by 53 Suzhou specialists using rare trees and prized rocks shipped in from Asia—and nothing but hand tools to construct. Fun! Anything we have to be sure to check out? The garden is stunning at all times of year and the colors are in constant flux, with different plants and trees coming into bloom and falling away each season—roses, orchids, plums, peonies, magnolias, winter-flowering jasmine, and more all take their turns. Eroded by the acidic waters of a lake near Suzhou, the porous Taihu rocks are like ancient sculptures, while the meticulously pruned ginkgo and maple trees quietly nod to the Chinese-Canadian collaboration. The Jade Water Pavilion elegantly frames the painterly views, and the designs of the stone courtyards echo both the architecture and the plant life, much of it infused with Chinese symbolism. Offered several times a day, informative guided tours provide excellent insights into the garden’s history, architecture, rock formations, trees, plants and more. How easy is it to navigate, and how accessible is it for strollers and wheelchair-bound visitors? The garden is small—just a third of an acre—so you won’t wear out any walking shoes here, and there are plenty of benches where you can simply sit, breathe deeply, and soak in the tranquil views. The walkways are relatively narrow and have some curves—legend has it that this keeps ghosts at bay—but they’re still wheelchair accessible with entry through the gift shop. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow. Anything else we should know before planning a visit? The garden is small and admission is very reasonable $16 for an adult in summer, $32 for a family with up to three kids, so a visit won’t overwhelm you or your wallet. If free is more your speed, or you only have a few minutes, check out the open public side of the garden; you won’t get the up-close views of the plants, trees, building design, and famous Taihu stones, and there are no tours, but you can check out the koi—some which are decades old—and gaze into the garden from across the pond." - Jennifer Van Evra
