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China LandscapeKew at the British Museum3 May – 27 October 2008Discover the natural wonders of China at the British Museum. This unique partnership between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum brings plants from south-west China and elements of a traditional scholar's garden together in the forecourt of the British Museum. The landscape celebrates the two institutions' shared vision to strengthen cultural understanding and support biodiversity conservation across the world, and reveals some of the connections between China's natural habitat and its culture. China is famous for its classical scholar's gardens – picturesque places suited for social gatherings and silent contemplation. This tradition is reflected in the landscape by the inclusion of a scholar's rock that symbolically evokes the power of a mountain, and a rock inscribed with calligraphy, because no Chinese landscape is complete without a touch of poetry. Plants have been carefully selected by Kew experts, and include:
Admission to the China Landscape is free, just drop in to the West Lawn in the Museum forecourt. British Museum, Great Russell Street, London
WC1B 3DG Daily 10.00-17.30 * Please note that the China Landscape will close at dusk when this occurs before the normal closing time.
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Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), the
only surviving member of the ancient group of plants, saved from
extinction through cultivation. Ginkgo provides a range
of medicinal benefits; they are used for treating
chronic coughs and asthma, circulatory problems
and memory loss.
Handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata),
beautiful but also vulnerable in the wild. Although
now widespread in cultivation as an ornamental,
the handkerchief tree continues to be
classified as a rare tree in the wild. 
Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing
plants on earth. In
China it is used to make everything
from chopsticks to scaffolding,
paper, fabric and medicine. The
young shoots are edible and the
sap is made into sweet wine.
It is a symbol of integrity and
outstanding character, it bends
in the wind but never breaks.