New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, Snug Harbor Cultural Center

While last year, I enjoyed the serene atmosphere & taking memorable snapshots of other visitors between 3:30-4pm, now the last entry is at 3pm. Neither google nor the Website will let you know about the changed entry time. When I got there, biking over an hour from upper Manhattan, the cashier was unresponsive. The vibe was definitely not caring and unwelcoming. Too bad as this is a beautiful garden and it has the educational aspect in its title. I’m glad I didn’t invite any friends to the visit this year. I went to Art Lab instead. The SI Art school & Gallery, also in Snug Harbor. A delightful, inviting experience; Wonderful Art to take in. And they’re open until 5pm. I recommend the SI Art lab!!

When we arrive there we had to wait 15 minutes outside Past our ticket time. The lady who does the tickets did not look thrilled to be there. We drove from Philadelphia and had to go to the bathroom. There was an event going on right next to the garden and the staff would not let us use the bathroom. We had to have the security guard call someone to let us in the garden. We had to wait another 10 minutes to be let in. Once we were in there, the place was so beautiful. It looks like something you see in a movie. I was very happy with the pictures we got here. The rest of the park was very nice to walk around. There was a cute little place to get ice cream. There was also a 911 memorial which they did a very good job with . The man working there was kind and let us use the bathroom.

Exploring Snug Harbor is a delight. The NY Chinese Scholar’s Garden is a hidden gem. It took us a while to find our way in (which is thru a cottage - Building E) and there’s a small cost $5 per person). Lots of artists sketching, water coloring or taking photos. There are guides to the garden that one can take (and then return) which describe what one is seeing. Also, there are koi in the pond!!❤️ Bathrooms are inside, next to the party pavilion.

When we visited this place last year, we were greatly impressed with how beautiful the garden is but I was really disappointed from my recent visit to this garden, especially since I came from another state to make a whole trip was not worth it at all. The garden is extremely beautiful but it is not being well preserved. The paint on the building is chipping away, the lights are so dusty and unclean, can not sit anywhere because of how dirty it is and different bugs/spiders.There are countless spiderwebs everywhere, leaves on the pond (not being cleaned)The Koi fishes are also not being fed at all (since they keep reaching for humans for food it is very noticeable). it is extremely disappointing to see such a beautiful place filled with immense culture and history not being well-maintained soon it will lose its beauty. As always, we humans ruin everything. I am genuinely begging for them to see this post so please fix this place before it is too late, so in the near future more people can visit and appreciate the beauty of this please 🙏

Honestly, it's a great picture spot if you want to dress up and take some ancient-like photos or feel like you are in China. There are a lot of mosquitoes, so do be careful. When I went٫ there were a lot of older Asian women taking photos and changing their clothes there in some of the closed space rooms. I really like the experience!!