South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is a large facility in Guangzhou with thousands of different plant species from the region. The grounds are divided into several specialized areas where you can see magnolias, palms, gingers, orchids, and medicinal herbs growing in their own sections.

The facility was founded in 1929 as a research center for agriculture and forestry and was originally connected to a university. It later joined a major scientific organization and grew into an important center for plant research and studies.

The garden serves as a space where visitors can see how plants from southern China are organized by their uses and characteristics, from medicinal herbs to food sources. Walking through the different sections shows how communities have valued and depended on these plants over time.

The grounds are large, so wear good shoes and allow plenty of time to explore, especially if you want to see all the different sections. A nearby metro station makes getting to the garden straightforward.

The grounds include large greenhouse complexes where plants from tropical and subtropical climates are grown in controlled conditions. These special spaces allow scientists to study and preserve rare species that would otherwise be difficult to research.