Chinese garden offers opportunities to learn about Chinese culture, relax and play in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Located on the campus of South Seattle College in West Seattle, the Seattle Chinese Garden was built as a partnership between artisans from Seattle and our sister city, Chongqing. 

Kids will love exploring the pathways through a small bamboo forest and reading the plaque next to a large carp sculpture. It shares a legend of carp that can turn into flying dragons if they manage to successfully swim up the Yellow River. 

A beautiful pagoda and adjacent koi pond offer shade and a place to peer at your reflection, while the Spring Pavilion encloses a courtyard with fountains and pools. The courtyard's limited hours are listed as Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. It never opened when we were there on a Tuesday, but kids will love peering through the open lattice windows and strolling the surrounding covered pathways even if it's closed. 

While a sturdy stroller could handle the mostly gravel and grass surfaces, a carrier will work better in the Chinese Garden portion of the space (or let little legs run since it's a relatively short walk to the parking lot). We visited on a day without other visitors so the kids felt free to run a bit, but the garden is designed to allow for tranquil reflection, so keep other visitors' peace in mind if there are any.

Adjacent to the garden is the South Seattle College Arboretum. Here you'll find more stroller-friendly paved pathways if you're more interested in a tranquil walk. Several water features (including a fun stone bridge — hold little hands for stability!), boardwalks and covered structures invited exploration. A large gazebo would provide shelter from rain or a place to picnic if you can stay distant from other families. Leashed dogs are allowed in the Arboretum as well.

Admission is free, but donations to the garden are appreciated and can be made online. 

Restrooms are currently closed due to the pandemic, as is the rest of the campus, so plan on using the restroom elsewhere. Masks are required on site.