The St. Paul – Changsha Friendship Garden of
Whispering Willows & Flowing Waters at Phalen Regional Park
明州中國友好花園協會
The Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society
In Partnership with the City of Saint Paul Department of Parks & Recreation
& Hunan Jianke Landscape, Changsha, Hunan, China,
Proudly Create and Sustain
Liu Ming Yuan | 柳明園 | Lub Vaj Phooj Ywg
The First Sister City China Friendship Garden of Minnesota
A Public Gathering Space that Strengthens Community, Health & Healing
Announcements
Inaugural Saint Paul Peony Festival
May 17, 2025
Held at Liu Ming Yuan – the China Friendship Garden, Phalen Regional Park
Hosted by the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society
The 2025 Peony Festival is dedicated to Joyce Hsiao (1927-2025), a Founding Member of the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society. This festival will celebrate the peony, Joyce’s favorite flower, as well as recognize Joyce’s legacy in helping create Liu Ming Yuan over more than two decades. Events at the Xiang Jiang Pavilion will include Youth cultural crafts and activities, and art displays. Events at the Hmong Plaza will include cultural dance and song performances, poetry readings, and Peony experts. Sale items will include flowered fashions, peony plants, and peony candles. Free to the public, goodwill offering accepted.
Joyce Hsiao (1927-2025) Founding Member
Continuing Appeal
Support the China Garden Society and help our garden grow with a donation. Consider making a $1,000 donation for a memorial tree to honor a loved one. Consider a donation of $2,000 or more to become a “Bridge Builder” to get your name on the permanent donor wall and support the construction of Phase II. Consider a smaller donation for plants to help finish the Xiang Jiang Pavilion garden.
New Roof Coming to the Xiang Jiang Pavilion 2025
St. Paul Parks & Rec has secured funding and is working with several companies to replace the current clay tile roof with a new metal tile roof that should look just like the existing roof, but hold up in our Minnesota winters much better.
Construction Update
Hmong Cultural Plaza
Construction and landscaping of the Hmong Cultural Plaza has been completed, except for three Hmong art sculptures -Silver Necklace and 2 Qeejs. Help fund these final features (budget $550,000).
Go to the Homng Elements page to view the Phase II Hmong Plaza and Chinese elements designs.
[Chinese elements: Chinese Arched Moon Bridge, Lakeside Moongate Entrance, Permanent Donor Wall, Chinese Chess Table area, Moon Viewing Platform, Xiang Jiang Pavilion Mountain Stream]
Go to: St. Paul Government Website for all presentations, and meeting notes & recordings.
The China Garden
is a Place for:
The Importance of China Gardens in Minnesota:
