From Berlin all the way to Japan, Bali, China, or Korea? We don’t need to jet around the world to get there. Right in the heart of Berlin-Marzahn lies one of the city’s many particularly relaxing parks—but this one is something special. Of course, we’re talking about the famous Gardens of the World. Spanning over 43 hectares, you’ll find international garden art and landscape architecture here. Without leaving Berlin, you can go on a trip around the world and have the chance to immerse yourself in the deepest traditions of foreign cultures.
Originally opened in 1987 as the Berlin Garden Show, the Gardens of the World have steadily expanded. Five years ago, they were even awarded the European Garden Prize. They’re a huge crowd-pleaser: In recent years, they’ve set visitor records with regularly over a million guests per year—no wonder, given the wide variety of attractions on offer.
A Journey Around the World
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The Gardens of the World celebrate the art of gardening and architecture from various continents and eras. At the heart of the park are the eleven themed gardens and nine international garden pavilions, which offer authentic insights into foreign cultures. Each one reflects a piece of the world.
The largest of its kind in Europe is the Chinese Garden, also known as the “Garden of the Recovered Moon.” It was built by Chinese craftsmen using materials from Beijing. With its teahouse by the large lake and the zigzag bridge, this part of the park looks like a scene straight out of a classic scholar’s garden.
The Oriental-Islamic Garden lies behind a four-meter-high wall. Passing through the “Hall of Receptions,” you enter the four-part garden courtyard with a fountain, which transports you into a fairy tale from *One Thousand and One Nights*. In the Japanese Garden with its waterfall, tranquility and contemplation reign supreme. It is a project of the Berlin-Tokyo city partnership and was actually designed by a Zen priest.
Soar high on Berlin’s only cable car
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Another unique feature is the cable car built for the 2017 International Garden Exhibition . It’s the only one in Berlin! It lets you enjoy sweeping views of the entire park and the Berlin skyline with all its landmarks. At the same time, it takes you directly from the Kienberg – Gärten der Welt subway station to the main entrance.
There are also two large mazes in the gardens. In the 2,000-square-meter hedge maze and the stone-paved labyrinth , you can solve various puzzles and keep younger visitors perfectly entertained. It’s a “lost place,” so to speak, that invites you to get lost!
And if you’re a fan of Erich Kästner, you should definitely visitthe huge playground “Konrad Rides to the South Seas.”It’s modeled after the children’s book *The 35th of May*. With a climbing whale and a large water playground, this spot in the park is a must-see for families. Guided tours and unique events are offered regularly: from making Advent wreaths to Chinese Moon Festivals, there’s something for every culture. The Gardens of the World also frequently host spectacular shows. On three evenings in October, a very special, magical edition of the globally successful DroneArt Show awaits you.
