Staff at RBGE have had a long established relationship with China, and this area of the garden highlights this, and displays the outstanding collection of Chinese plants held at Inverleith.

Winding paths lead you through the plantings of the Chinese Hillside, which reflects the ecological areas of a hillside in the wild. Broad-leaved trees are found at the lowest altitudes, leading through to coniferous woodland and Rhododendron forest and finally alpines and meadow plants in the highest areas. A stream and waterfall also run through the garden, feeding a pond, with Iris and Primula at the waters edge. A Ting (pavilion) also sits at the waters edge, providing an area to rest and contemplate the garden.