Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Portland
The Grotto - National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, a 62-acre Catholic sanctuary, is one of Portland's most visited attractions, greeting more than 175,000 guests of all faiths each year. Visitors can stroll through this natural gallery in the woods, view the marble replica of Michelangelo's famous Pietà, carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff; or ride the elevator to the top of the bluff for an impressive, panoramic view of the area's highlights. www.thegrotto.org

The largest of three Portland public rose gardens, the International Rose Test Garden was established in 1917, making it the oldest test garden in the United States. The 4.5-acre site features 9,000 rose plantings representing some 560 varieties, including Savoy Hotel, Livin' Easy, New Zealand, Climbing Ophelia, and Sweet Juliet. From its vantage point in Washington Park, this terraced garden offers a spectacular view of downtown Portland, majestic Mount Hood and volatile Mount St. Helens. www.portlandonline.com

Known as the most authentic Japanese Garden outside Japan, this beautiful 5.5-acre oasis encompasses a tea house, a pavilion and five garden styles. Visitors can also enjoy a breathtaking view of Portland and the surrounding majestic mountains. www.japanesegarden.com

Masterpieces by Monet, Renoir and Picasso share space with Native American and Asian artwork at the Portland Art Museum. A landmark 60,000-square-foot expansion, completed in August 2000, propels the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest into the realm of the 25 largest art museums in the country. Overlooking Portland's tree-filled South Park Blocks, the Portland Art Museum hosts the world's top touring exhibitions and offers the most comprehensive collection of European and American art in the Pacific Northwest. www.portlandartmuseum.org

The Portland Classical Chinese Garden is the largest garden of its kind outside of China. Portland and its sister city of Suzhou, China, worked together to create this walled oasis that occupies one entire city block in Portland's Old Town/Chinatown District. Sixty Chinese artisans spent months lending their talent and expertise to the elegant design of this garden. www.portlandchinesegarden.org