The Dunedin Chinese Gardens were high on my ‘to-do’ list and I suggest you put them on yours too. Along with the Scottish settlers, the Chinese have been in the Otago region since 1863 (incidentally, the same year my mother’s family arrived on Banks Peninsula, from Cornwall.)
This Chinese Scholar-garden, Lan Yuan, is tucked in beside railway tracks and the Toitu OtagoEarly Settlers Museum in the city centre – on the corner of Rattray & Cumberland Streets. It’s the only authentic Chinese garden in New Zealand and in fact is the first in the Southern Hemisphere and one of less than half a dozen outside China which surprised me.
Despite being in the city, it is an amazingly peaceful and quiet place and I know when I’m back in Otago I will revisit this wonderful garden.
Look at the photos and I know you too will love them.
Kiwi Travel Writer talks food, travel, and tips 
Yes, I recall Chinese gardens from after a ‘critical condition ICU’ claustrophobic period – after operation in Dunedin hospital and ten days in unit – the day I got out, though it was raining I sat in gardens and enjoyed air and design. Dunedin has highs and lovely aspects.
re relatives (Vennings are from Cornwall too and Gawith rellies came out (from Ulverston) 1849 – they’re my mother’s side and established first pub in Welly but 1855 quake got it!). I think it was near Thistle Inn, off Pipitea/Molesworth anyway.
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