Snug Harbor Chinese Scholar Garden

Snug Harbor Chinese Scholar Garden

Several years ago, a friend and I spent twelve days in China. We were in ZhouJou for 3 days. We saw one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, the Lingering Garden. We spent a few hours there, feeling the calmness, serenity and tranquility that it exuded. It was one of the best days that we had.

A couple of months after returning home, a friend and I went to visit Snug Harbor Cultural Center, we made this trek before Super Storm Sandy bombarded the city. We took the ferry to Staten Island and then bus #40 to the Cultural Center, workers were fixing the governor’s house, and we walked down a row of unique small houses and reached a hidden entrance—a big red door.

As we entered, it was as if we were transported to China, there were sculptures, a Koi-filled pond, windows peering into gardens, a meditation room, waterfall, a single white flower blooming and so much more.

Behind the garden, you will discover a forest of bamboo trees. I almost expected to see Pandas up the tree enjoying their meal. There was a scholar room where monks would have spent an afternoon studying Confucious, Buddhist or Taoist words. I remember visiting a number of temples in China and seeing these very peaceful and studious monks.

As in China, we spent a glorious afternoon sitting at a table, the sun shining, the breeze cooling us during a very hot summer afternoon. A team of Chinese artists created this hidden treasure for New Yorkers and tourists to enjoy. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

I was so impressed with Snug Harbor that I have returned several times since Hurricane Sandy and am still overwhelmed with the beauty of the cultural center.

By the way, Snug Harbor has tons of other attractions, such as the Secret Garden, the Children’s museum and much more.

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