The Chinese Garden of Friendship was built to symbolise the friendship between Sydney and the city of Guangzhou, and was formally opened as part of Australia’s Bicentennial Celebrations on 17 January 1988. In a collaborative effort, the Garden was designed by Chinese landscape architects and built by Australian craftsmen and specialists. Unlike western-style gardens, there are no formally laid out flowerbeds or manicured lawns; instead, wild aspects of nature are recreated in landscapes that feature waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and forests.
The garden follows the Taoist principles of 'Yin-Yang', the opposing yet complementary and balanced forces, and ‘Wu-Xing’, the five elements or phases—wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These principles also stress the importance of Qi, the central force of life and energy. When combined perfectly, the five elements form a fluid and nurturing environment. Everything in the garden has been carefully chosen and meticulously placed in order to incorporate the five elements, achieve a balance of Yin and Yang, and promote the flow of Qi, thus creating a sense of harmony and balance that is further enhanced by the beautiful lights of Nature Illuminated.