Zhang Qiyue, China's consul general in New York (center), visited the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island, at the invitation of Marty Markowitz (third from right), NYC & Co.’s vice-president for borough promotion and engagement on July 21.

"I was amazed to see such an authentic Chinese garden on Staten Island," said Zhang. "This attraction must have played an important role in helping visitors all over the world and local Chinese Americans get in touch with the tangible Chinese culture."

The garden, one of two authentic scholar's gardens in the United States, opened in 1999. It is a compilation of different ancient-time gardens in China but mainly based on Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Gardens. The garden was built by a team of 40 Chinese artists and craftspersons who spent a year in China creating its components and another six months on Staten Island to complete the construction. Lynn Kelly (fourth from right), president and CEO of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, and Li Liyan (second from left), cultural counselor and head of the cultural office of the Chinese Consulate General, and other guests visited the garden. HONG XIAO / FOR CHINA DAILY