South China Botanical Garden

South China Botanical Garden

The South China Botanical Garden is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

The South China Botanical Garden is located about eight kilometers north of the city, covering a total area of 4,500 acres and home to more than 3,200 plant species. It is one of the four major botanical gardens under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is hailed as the “Museum of Tropical and Subtropical Plants.” Established in 1959, the garden is mainly involved in the collection and introduction of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as scientific research such as acclimatization and breeding. It has seed exchange relationships with over 60 countries and regions, and has introduced approximately 4,000 domestic and foreign plant species. The garden cultivates many rare trees and plants. For example, there is the giant water lily, whose leaves are like round plates and can support a small child weighing 30 kilograms. There is also a tree known as a “living fossil,” the ginkgo. It grew 350 million years ago, and when the Earth experienced the fourth Ice Age, this tree, like many other plants, disappeared under the ice and snow. Later, people could only find it in fossils. Today, it has been rediscovered in China, hence the name “living fossil.”

Many rare and exotic flowers can also be seen in the garden, with over 200 varieties of orchids alone, and more than 700 species of Chinese medicinal herbs. The garden is divided into eleven exhibition areas based on plant types, ecological habits, and uses: the Palm Plant Area, Relict Plant Area, Economic Plant Area, Pollution-Resistant Greening Plant Area, Bamboo Plant Area, Garden Tree Area, Shade-Loving Plant Area, Gymnosperm Area, Medicinal Plant Area, Tropical Plant Area, and Secondary Forest Nature Reserve. In addition, there are also orchid displays, potted plants, aquatic plants, and more.

1. Transportation: Take bus routes 28, 84, 533, 534, or 535 and get off at the Botanical Garden stop.

2. Admission: 20 RMB (group tickets at 20% off, 50% off for primary and secondary school students, one ticket per five kindergarten children), Greenhouse Complex Scenic Area 50 RMB, combo ticket (includes main gate ticket + greenhouse complex ticket) 50 RMB.

3. Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00

Attraction Location

No. 723, Xingke Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Address: No. 1190, Tianyuan Road, Tianhe District