Portland, OR. It was standing room only at the Lan Su Chinese Garden New Years festival. Chinese wishing trees, money trees, and hong bao trees are a big part of Chinese New Year festivities. Every year, billions of people around the world gather to toss their red ribbons up into the wishing tree with hope that it will stick and their wish will come true for  good fortune in the coming year. Chinese New Year celebrations run for two weeks from January 28th, through Sunday, February 12th.

Lion dancers from the N.W. Dargon and Lion Team welcomed the Year of the Rooster.

Lion dancers from the N.W. Dargon and Lion Team welcomed the Year of the Rooster.

Calligraphy is a high art in Chinese culture. Visitors why the writing of characters is so revered while watching an expert calligrapher like Lewis Lim at work.

Calligraphy is a high art in Chinese culture. Visitors see first hand why it’s so revered by watching an expert calligrapher like Lewis Lim at work.

Kids listened to classic Chinese stories about the zodiac calendar and the Year of the Rooster.

Kids listened to classic Chinese stories about the zodiac calendar and the Year of the Rooster.

Gary Wilson is the director of Programming and Lisa James is the Executive Director of the Lan Su Garden.

Gary Wilson is the director of Programming and Lisa James is the Executive Director of the Lan Su Garden.

Catherine Garvin and Wes Bevans are volunteers.

Catherine Garvin and Wes Bevans are volunteers.

Dan Skach-Mills, Mel Lee, and Van Machado were welcoming garden supporters.

Dan Skach-Mills, Mel Lee, and Van Machado were welcoming garden supporters.

The celebration ends with several nights of Lantern Viewing Evenings when the garden is illuminated with colorful lanterns and lively dragon processions.

Click here for a link to the full scheudule.

Lan Su Chinese Garden is open to visitors seven days a week year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Summer hours

March 15 – October 31

10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Garden Shop: 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

Winter hours

November 1 – March 14

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Garden Shop: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Admission

Your admission gains access to the garden, Chinese Teahouse, and when offered, public tours and events and activities during regular hours. Some special events in the Teahouse are not included with admission or may require an additional purchase of tea. With a membership admission is free for one year.

  • Free — Members
  • $9.50 — Adults
  • $8.50 — Seniors (age 62 & over)
  • $7.00 — Students (age 6-18 and college students with I.D.)
  • $28 — Family Pass (two adults, two students)
  • Children five and under are free

Share