Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden

Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden will be closing at 4pm on Tuesday, 29 October due to a private function.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden will remain closed on Sunday, 6 October due to the current weather event and resulting emergency status. Keep an eye on Dunedin City Council page for updates.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden remains closed today, Saturday 5 October.
For the most up to date conditions see Dunedin City Council page.

Kia ora, Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden is closed due to the heavy rain event.

Please keep an eye on the Dunedin City Council page for information and updates.

We will notify you when we are able to open again. Kia kaha.

Due to the State of Emergency declared in Dunedin, Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden will be closed Friday, 4 October.
Dumpling Day is also cancelled.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

CELEBRATE WITH US!

NEW ZEALAND CHINESE LANGUAGE WEEK AND MOON FESTIVAL
Sunday 22 September – Friday 4 October

NEW ZEALAND CHINESE LANGUAGE WEEK
Have a go at some words and phrases for everyday use. Enjoy some tea while you learn the ‘word of the day’ or order your dumplings in Chinese!
Daily | Sunday 22 – Sunday 29 September | Tea House

THE STORY OF CHANG’E – Garden Trail.
Pick up a discovery trail from reception and follow the story of Chang’e around the garden, learning all about the Moon Festival as you go.
10am – 5pm | Sunday 22 – Sunday 29 September

DISCO + KUNG FU PANDA MOVIE
School holiday fun begins here with kids’ disco and a movie in celebration of Chinese Language Week and the Moon Festival. Bring your deck chair, blanket, and picnic dinner!

Movie PG | 92 mins | (In case of bad weather this screening will be in the Toitū Auditorium)

Disco 6pm | Movie 7.30pm | Friday 27 September | Courtyard

MOON FESTIVAL
A fun-filled day with something for everyone! Vibrant music, dance, and performances from Dunedin’s talented Chinese community. Tea Shop specials and moon cakes!

12.30pm | Saturday 28 September | Courtyard

CHANG’E RABBIT CRAFTS

Create your own rabbit friends for adventures around Lan Yuan. This sewing project is perfect for the young and young at heart or make your own paper bunny or rabbit ears. Suitable for beginners.

10am – 3pm | Saturday 28 September | Tower Room

DUMPLING DAY
Learn how to make dumplings under the guidance of chefs from Golden Harvest Restaurant. Choose your ingredients, make and eat your creations!
Drop-in between 12pm – 2pm.
Friday 4 October | $5 each or 3 for $12, while supplies last | Tea House

ANNUAL PASS SPECIAL
Visit the Garden all year round with an Annual Pass for only $22 or $15 concession. Offer only available 21 September – 6 October.

Standard garden entry fees apply unless stated, additional costs may apply.

Winter, it's still beautiful 💖

What a fantastic night! Thanks to everyone who came along to help us celebrate the life of historic poet Qu Yuan and the Dragon Boat Festival. It was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed the miniature dragon boat and lantern making craft making. There was plenty of interest in local dragon boating club the Ōtepoti Dragons, and families enjoyed our screening of Raya and the Last Dragon. The Otago Daily Times shared this coverage.

There be dragon boats Emily Jensen (left) and Fiona Watt, both 11, help celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival at Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden, on Saturday evening by...

Celebrate the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival at Lan Yuan!

Commemorate the life of historic poet Qu Yuan by joining us at Lan Yuan for an evening of family friendly activities.

Get your hands on at our craft station, where you can create your own miniature dragon boat and lantern to illuminate the garden’s pond at dusk.

Seek out the hidden toy dragons lurking amidst the winding pathways of Lan Yuan, or head out to the Pai Lau to check out the mighty dragon boat on display from local dragon boating club the Ōtepoti Dragons and chat to them about the sport of dragon boating.

As dusk falls, gather the whole family for an outdoor movie screening under the stars at 5pm. Bring your deck chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to sit back, relax, and enjoy the heart-warming film Raya and the Last Dragon.

The Lan Yuan tea house will be open for your Chinese tea purchases and Zongzi – traditional sticky rice dumplings.

3pm – 8pm, Saturday 8 June
Lan Yuan
Standard garden entry fee applies

We note with deep sadness the passing of Dr James Ng this morning.
Dr Ng was a stalwart supporter of Dunedin’s cultural institutions, including Toitū, for decades and a key driver behind the establishment of Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden.
Alongside a busy medical career, he made it his mission to bring Otago’s Chinese history to much greater prominence.
Supported by his wife Eva, Jim’s work has been of enormous significance locally, nationally and internationally and will be his legacy for the generations to come.

Image is Dr Ng at the launch of Journey to Lan Yuan, 2020

Celebrate the conclusion of the Chinese New Year at Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden.⁣
Experience the tranquil atmosphere of the garden at dusk while contemplating what the new year might bring. ⁣
Enjoy traditional Chinese festivities with friends and family.⁣
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Normal admission charges apply | Under 13⁣ FREE (maximum three).
Additional charges⁣ may apply.

Join us at Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden to see out the Year of the Rabbit and welcome in the Year of the Dragon. Be a part of the action and join the Dragon Parade from Princes Street to the Garden from 7pm.

Garden opens at 7pm with gold coin donation and if you're feeling peckish there will be food trucks on site. You can't miss the Dragon Dance at 7.15pm followed by the Lion Dance, cultural performances and celebrations kicking off at 7.30pm. If that's not enough, local band Loose & Colourful will perform before the grand finale fireworks at 10pm adds the icing on the cake!

Head along to Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden from 7pm Saturday 10 February - we have your family-friendly evening sorted.

Saturday 10 February 2024
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with us!

7pm Garden open with gold coin entry, food trucks
7pm Dragon parade from Princes Street to the Garden
7.15pm Dragon Dance
7.30pm Lion Dance, cultural performances and celebrations
10pm Grand Finale Fireworks

It's not hard to believe the good news delivered to us at Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese
Garden!⁣
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New Zealand Gardens Trust recently awarded Lan Yuan a 6 star rating, making it a "Garden of International Significance".⁣
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Among the assessor comments were:⁣
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🗨 A perfectly conceived garden that appeals to all the senses⁣
🗨 Highly specified construction and craftsmanship⁣
🗨 A work of art in which the architecture and planting are highly symbolic.⁣
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If you haven't visited the Garden in a while, now is a perfect time to come and see this living art for yourself!⁣
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Open 7 days, 10am - 5pm.⁣
Normal admission charges apply | Under 13 free (maximum three)

This Christmas, consider a gift that keeps on giving!

Purchase an annual pass and receive 20% off the usual price!

Now only $18.40 adult or $13.60 concession.

An annual pass allows for unlimited entry to the Garden for 12 months where you can enjoy the summer sun, the stunning autumn colours, the winter reflections and the flourishing growth in spring.

Offer valid 17 November – 10 December 2023.

Available from the ticket office at Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden.

When you visit take a free self-guided audio tour!
This insightful tour allows you to explore the Garden at your own pace. Learn more about the history of the Garden, gain cultural insights, and discover the significance of the Garden to the city.

Who spotted Lan Yuan’s cheeky pandas on TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning? You can catch the interview at tvnz.co.nz

Check out our website for all the events taking place as we celebrate our 15th anniversary!

Celebrate With Us!! Lan Yuan’s 15th Anniversary, Moon Festival and China National Day Celebrations.

Help us celebrate these special occasions with a day of cultural activities and performances alongside recognition of Lan Yuan’s 15 years in our community.

The festivities commence at 12.30pm with speeches by Chinese Consul-General Madame He Ying and leaders of the Chinese community, and continues with vibrant music, dance, and performances throughout the afternoon from Dunedin’s talented Chinese community from 1pm.

Dragon dancers will kick off the performances followed by the Dunedin Senior Chinese Association, Dunedin Chinese Art and Culture Association, Dunedin Tai Chi Club, Dunedin Chinese Art and Instrument Association, and the Otago Chinese Students Association.

The Tea Shop will be open with tea specials, and of course, there will be moon cakes!

10.30am – 3pm, Sunday 1 October
Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden
Standard garden entry fees apply

Join us for cultural activities, workshops and performances as we celebrate our 15th anniversary.

Visit www.dunedinchinesegarden.com/whats-on/events for details of all the events taking place. Normal admission applies.

FESTIVAL SPECIAL

Visit the Garden all year round with an Annual Pass for only $18 or $13 concession. Offer available 13 September - 1 October 2023.

Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden Culture / Heritage / Gardens / Education / Attractions

The Journey to Lan Yuan crew has reunited to film a special introductory clip for our 15th Anniversary. You can watch this and Enjoy selected episodes from Journey to Lan Yuan at Toitū this weekend, as we celebrate 15 years of Lan Yuan!

Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 September
10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm
Toitū Auditorium
Free

Journey to Lan Yuan - Documentary Screenings

Enjoy selected episodes from Journey to Lan Yuan, the documentary that dives into the history of Otago’s Chinese migrants. Six years after it was first released, the episodes will feature a new short introduction from presenter Sean Brosnahan.

Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 September
10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm
Toitū Auditorium
Free

Celebrate the Chinese Dragon Boat festival at Lan Yuan tomorrow!
⁣
There are a variety of ways people celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, with countless interpretations and stories. ⁣
Perhaps the most well-known story today is of Qu Yuan.⁣
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Legend has it that poet Qu Yuan drowned in the Miluo River, and the townsfolk raced out in their boats to save him, leading to the origin of Dragon Boat races. ⁣
Today, the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated across the world and has become an annual event at .⁣
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Join us and take part in traditional crafts, make your own dragon boat craft and try Zongzi – traditional sticky rice dumplings.⁣
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10am – 5pm, Saturday 24 June⁣
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Normal admission charges apply⁣
Children 13 and under FREE (max three)⁣
Additional charges may apply for some events

Look up to the blue, blue sky,⁣
Today it looks like forever⁣
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The droplets of water cascade over the side of the rocks of the Climbing Mountain, captured in the moment.⁣
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Autumn is creeping in slowly around the edges.

Come and join us in the courtyard next week for our Valentine's Day event.⁣
We're having an outdoor screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon from 7pm.⁣
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Experience the picturesque atmosphere of the garden lit up at night and cuddle up with your loved ones with some traditional Chinese tea and dim sum.⁣
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Have a go at making your own embroidered xiangbao to give to someone as a token of love, light some incense in the garden, or wish for love by tying a red ribbon to our wishing tree.⁣
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6pm – 10pm, Tuesday 14 February⁣
Normal entry fees apply

恭喜发财 Gōng xǐ fā cái⁣
Celebrating Chinese New Year - the Year of the Rabbit⁣
Not long to go now!⁣
Join us at Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden to see out the Year of the Tiger 🐅 and welcome in the Year of the Rabbit 🐇⁣
⁣
Be a part of the action and join the Dragon Parade from Princes Street to the Garden from 7pm.🐉⁣
⁣
Garden opens at 7pm with gold coin donation and if you're feeling peckish there will be food trucks on site.⁣
⁣
You can't miss the Dragon Dance at 7.15pm followed by the Lion Dance, cultural performances and celebrations kicking off at 7.30pm 🦁🎤🎶💃🕺⁣
⁣
If that's not enough then the grand finale at 10pm will be the icing on the cake!⁣
Head along to Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden from 7pm Saturday 28 January - we have your family-friendly evening sorted.⁣

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