Trifter

Nan Lian Garden is literally an oasis. The sprawling public park showcases waterfalls, koi ponds and lush greenery in the middle of the towering apartment and office blocks that dominate the Diamond Hill neighborhood.

The park design is anchored on the Tang Dynasty style, with little hills, expressive rocks and pavilions. The path winds, the trees and rocks on your side obscure the view up ahead. This is typical of Chinese gardens where you are compelled to notice every plant and detail before moving on. The effect is like taking on a life journey -what lies beyond is revealed bit by bit, step by step and depending on your own pace.

The plants and trees vary and some are restricted in their own special wing. Coming from the main entrance, you are greeted by a rock arrangement and a few pine. But soon, you will reach a grouping of myrtle trees. Their trunks and branches are twisted into interesting curves, driving your eye up towards their extravagant pink foliage. The park also has banyan trees, pines, fragrant osmanthus and orange jasmine.

Water is a major feature of this garden, often set next to one of the garden’s main structures. A lotus-shaped garden seems to play as protective moat of a golden pagoda flanked by two orange bridges. A large koi pool frames an equally big tea pavilion. A waterfall feature discretely hides a vegetarian restaurant, and its adjacent pond is bound on one side by a wooden water mill.

Since it is a public park banking on its tourism potential, there are educational exhibits. The most permanent are those on Chinese wood architecture and rocks. I would learn later on that rocks are considered the “bones” or the foundations of a Chinese garden, which explains their prominence. The rock exhibit hall is located right next to the penjing (or bonsai) garden.

Nan Lian Garden is connected to the Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery (which also manages the park). While we were restricted to the main courtyard, it was a good place to cap off a reflective afternoon walk before heading back into the busy city street.

Think of Hong Kong and many will speak of the city skyline, the busy street markets, Disney and other tourist-y spots. However, there are a few gardens such as Nan Lian and hiking trails that provide an alternative way of enjoying the country.

To get to Nan Lian Garden, get off the Diamond Hill MTR station and take the Hollywood Plaza exit. The main entrance is located under the highway overpass near Hollywood Plaza. (photos taken with a Diana F+ 35mm analog film camera).