Chinese Garden, Darling Harbour: Opening hours & prices

The Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour, Sydney, is open from 10am to 5pm every day, with tickets costing $12.

To skip the explanation and just book mobile-friendly tickets for the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour, head this way.

What is the Chinese Garden in Darling Harbour?

The Chinese Garden in Darling Harbour, Sydney, is officially the Chinese Garden of Friendship. It was designed in Sydney’s sister city, Guangzhou, and opened in 1888.

It is a relatively small garden, covering just over a hectare, but offers a peaceful haven next to Sydney city centre.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is at the southern end of Darling Harbour.

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Skip the queues – and get the best prices – with mobile-friendly advance tickets for these top Sydney attractions.

Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
Sydney Opera House – official walking tour. See behind the scenes!
Wild Life Sydney – Aussie animal favourites in convenient Darling Harbour location. Perfect if on limited time.
Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
Sydney Tower Eye – 360 degree views from 250 metres above the city.

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What can I see in the Chinese Garden of Friendship?

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is modelled on 5^th century private gardens in China. It is laid out in accordance with Taoist philosophy, with heavy focus on the principle of Yin and Yang.

You can expect pagodas, pavilions, lots of exotic plants and a lake full of koi carp.

It’s also possible to eat at Gardens by Lotus, the on-site restaurant and teahouse. Dumplings, spicy Sichuan food and Chinese tea are the stalwarts here.

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Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
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See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
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Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Darling Harbour Chinese Garden opening hours

The Darling Harbour Chinese Garden, unlike many Sydney parks, is not open 24 hours a day. The opening hours of the Chinese Garden of Friendship are 10am to 5pm daily. The garden is closed, however, on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Chinese Garden of Friendship entry fee

The biggest surprise for most visitors to Darling Harbour is that the Chinese Garden of Friendship is not free to enter. Tickets for the Darling Harbour Chinese Garden cost $12 at the time of writing. To book a low hassle, mobile-friendly ticket in advance, head here.