Xiamen Botanical Garden (厦门植物园)

Xiamen Botanical Garden, also called Wanshi Botanical Garden, is a large hillside garden at 25 Huyuan Road in Siming District, Fujian province, China, set beside Wanshi Reservoir on the slopes north of the old city. Opened in the 1960s, the garden covers a wide area of hills, valleys and lakeshore, and it holds thousands of plant species from subtropical and tropical regions. Its best-known features are the palm and succulent houses, a rainforest-style greenhouse with mist, waterfalls and tall tropical trees, and a cycad collection with ancient species. Other areas include a rose garden, orchid displays, a medicinal plant section, bamboo groves and a rock garden, linked by free-flowing paths that wind around the lake and up the hillsides. Boardwalks and stone steps lead to quiet viewpoints over the reservoir, and shaded benches suit rest stops. A visit takes two to three hours, longer for those who walk the full lakeside loop, and photographers favour the greenhouse interiors, the misty water features, the palm avenues and the reflections on the reservoir in the morning. The garden opens daily from about 06:30 to 18:30, and admission is about ¥40 (~$6). Early morning brings local walkers, tai chi groups and joggers, giving a lively atmosphere, while weekdays are calm during the day, and weekends and holidays are busier, particularly around the greenhouse and the lake. October to May is the most comfortable time because summer heat and humidity can be intense and thunderstorms common. Visitors should bring water, sun protection and insect repellent, and wear walking shoes because paths include slopes and steps. The garden can be reached by city bus to the Wanshi Zhiwuyuan stop, with the current route best checked on Amap, or by Metro Line 1 to Zhongshan Road followed by a DiDi ride of about ¥15 (~$2.20).