Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen

Nanjing, China Overview, China

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The Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen (also called Zhongshan Botanical Garden) is China's first and oldest national botanical garden, established in 1929 to honor Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Located in Xuanwu District in Nanjing's eastern suburbs with Purple Mountain behind and Qian Lake in front beside the ancient Ming Dynasty city wall near the famous Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the garden covers a vast 186 hectares (459.6 acres) featuring luxuriant vegetation, lawns, hills, and lakes. As a major research center focused on central and northern subtropical plants of China, it maintains a living collection of about 3,000 plant species from 913 genera across 188 families, plus a Herbarium holding 700,000 botanical specimens, and operates five research departments including centers for ornamental and medicinal plants. The garden includes ten featured gardens or sections with northern scenic areas containing an exhibition greenhouse and areas for viewing flowers, leaves, and fruits, making it both a fascinating recreational attraction and a center for botanical research and science education. It is open year-round, accessible via Nanjing Metro Line 2 (Muxuyuan station) with city bus lines 20 and 315 stopping at the front gate, and has established international exchange programs with over 600 organizations in 60+ countries including sister relationships with Missouri Botanical Garden in the USA.