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Are you looking for a place to inspire you? Why not visit some of the most beautiful gardens in the world? We invite you to discover three gardens that you may love: the Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Dumfries, Scotland, which highlights mathematics and science; the Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, China, which was built more than 400 years ago following the model of the traditional Chinese imperial garden; and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Thailand, a biological conservation project with more than 1,482 acres.
If you are fond of nature and its ability to transport you to another place as a result of its beauty and grace, we recommend you visit these gardens. Original and beautiful are just a couple of words to describe these peaceful oases; with their endless shades of leaves, plants, trees and flowers we are confident you will feel relaxed and at ease.
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Five miles north of Dumfries, in northern Scotland, is The Garden of Cosmic Speculation, a 29 acre park by American architect and landscape architect Charles Jencks.
Jencks, a lover of science and mathematics, focused his intellectual and architectural efforts into the garden, which is divided into large areas where bridges, geometric gardens, sculptures and architectural works unite. The garden aims to showcase the intimate link between human knowledge and nature, while allowing guests to experience their surroundings with all of their senses.
Guests will also find a waterfall of water steps that tells the story of the universe; a terrace that shows the distortion of space and time caused by a black hole; and a series of landforms and lakes that are reminiscent of fractal geometry.
However, there is only one small drawback if you want to visit the Garden of Cosmic Speculation, it is a private garden that is only open to the public one day a year. But, if you plan your trip accordingly you should have no problem seeing and visiting the garden on the first Sunday of May, which is when it is usually open to the public. For more information visit: Garden of Cosmic Speculation
One of the oldest and best preserved gardens in the world, Yuyuan is located in the heart of the city of Shanghai, in China, and dates back more than 400 years, during the middle of the Ming Dynasty era.
Yuyuan, is a wonderful example of a traditional Chinese garden. It has gone through all kinds of changes throughout its history, especially after it had to be rebuilt after the Opium War with the British in 1842 and the war with the Japanese in 1942. Today it is one of the most visited places in Shanghai and was declared a national monument in 1982.
The most frequented spaces are the zigzag bridges that offer an excellent view of the ornamental plants, as well as a large rock formation that allows a panoramic overview of the garden. Visitors can also visit the Cuixiu Room, a quiet and elegant place surrounded by old trees and beautiful colorful flowers, or the Sansui Room, which formerly used to hold ceremonies for the knights and intellectuals of the time.
In the area called Yulé Pavilion there is a large traditional Chinese building and other beautiful smaller buildings with various corridors, streams and patios. Also nearby is the Wanhua Chamber, a luxurious room where the illustrious figures were once welcomed and a Maidenhair tree over 68 feet high was planted four centuries ago. To learn more visit: Yuyuan Garden.
In 1954, Pisit and Nongnooch, two great lovers of nature, acquired an enormous plot of land more than 1,482 acres in Pattaya, Thailand, to preserve the biological diversity of the area.
Mrs. Nongnooch was inspired by the beauty of world-renowned gardens and decided to turn what was originally a fruit garden into a tropical garden of flowers and ornamental plants. From there, the garden grew little by little until it became a tourist attraction with a hotel, restaurants and meeting rooms.
Opened in 1980, the garden is a must-see destination in Thailand because it is one of the largest tropical gardens designed by humans in the world. Its great beauty is due to the tropical climate in the area, which makes the plants and flowers grow with splendor.
Inside you can see Thai style villas and French and Italian style gardens and more. The enormous floating garden, bonsai and orchids, makes Nong Nooch a unique and enjoyable experience and the delicate flowers in Pattaya, due to the humidity of the area, grow with incredible beauty. To check schedules and see more information visit: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. ■
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