Museums & Attractions

A garden designed to reflect connections between China's natural habitat and its culture has been planted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the forecourt at the British Museum. Most of the featured plants are native to the mountains of Sichuan province in south-west China. Bamboo, a construction material for everything from fabric to bridges as well as a source of food and sweet wine, has its place, of course. As does a maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), the only surviving member of the ancient group of plants which was widespread at the same time as the dinosaurs. No Chinese landscape would be complete without poetry and the Chinese tradition of classical scholar's gardens – venues for social gatherings and silent contemplation – is reflected in the inclusion of a rock inscribed with calligraphy.