🌿 Lanpu Garden: A Lingnan-Style Hidden Gem in Downtown Guangzhou

#guangzhoutrip When it comes to secret escapes in the bustling city of Guangzhou, Lanpu Garden definitely deserves a spot on the list. ✨ "Flowers charm thousands within this hidden garden; their fragrance drifts across ten miles of the city." Within just a few steps, Lanpu creates a serene world of mountains and waters, offering a poetic retreat amid the noise of urban life. Every flower, every tree, every winding path tells its own story. The dense subtropical greenery and uniquely Lingnan-style landscaping make it an enchanting oasis. 🌸 A Bit of History Originally built in 1951 as a botanical specimen garden, Lanpu began focusing on orchid cultivation in 1957. Over time, it was carefully redesigned and landscaped with pavilions, bridges, and streams, forming a tranquil environment. 🌟 Before the 1970s, it was a prestigious venue for receiving state leaders and foreign guests. In 1976, it was finally opened to the public, quickly becoming a favorite park among locals. 🌿 What Makes Lanpu Special? Though small in size, Lanpu is truly a green oasis in the city. With its natural blend of vegetation and flowing water, bamboo fences, thatched huts, winding bridges, and shaded trails, the garden feels refined yet down-to-earth. 🌼 My Favorite Corners: 🔹 Fanghua Garden A classic Chinese garden layout featuring a glazed-tile houseboat structure beside the water. It’s poetically named "Bu Xi Zhou" ("The Unmoored Boat") — such an elegant name! 🔹 Mingjing Pavilion Perched by the water and surrounded by bamboo shadows. Recently, the ground nearby has been covered with fallen yellow leaves — creating a quietly melancholic atmosphere. 🍂 🔹 Little Bridge near the Orchid Pavilion #3 This charming spot doesn’t have an official name, but it’s a popular Instagram location. Sunlight, stone bridge, and water reflections come together in a scene full of tranquility and beauty. #travel #thingstodo