Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
太湖石
⎯⎯⎯
Lake Tai Rock
A Gift from Suzhou, Portlands Chinese Sister City
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
1. 太湖石 / Lake Tai Rock Marker
The distinct shape of the Lake Tai rock is an important quality to the Chinese. A prized rock must appear lean and bony with numerous holes and indentations. These special rocks are normally narrower at their bases and wider at the top, seeming to rise from the earth, despite their weight.
This rock was personally selected by the mayor of Suzhou in honor of the strong sister city relationship between Portland and Suzhou. The four-character Chinese inscription on the rock reads rare stone calls forth the spirit, an example of the symbolic and magical significance of rockery to the Chinese. At the base of the rock are reproductions of the 1996 agreements in Chinese and English, signed by Mayor Zhang Xin Sheng of Suzhou and Mayor Vera Katz of Portland, proclaiming the Suzhou gift to Portland. The Lake Tai
this page online
is honored to provide accommodation for
the public presentation of this gift in Terry Schrunk Plaza.
Erected 1998 by United States General Services Administration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Natural Features • Peace. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.
Location. 45° 30.892′ N, 122° 40.691′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It can be reached from the intersection of Southwest Madison Street and Southwest 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The rock and marker are located in Terry Schrunk Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 SW Madison Street, Portland OR 97204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and in the Willamette Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
2. 太湖石 / Lake Tai Rock Marker
The marker and stone are located together in Terry Schrunk Plaza.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Honor of Vietnam Veterans (a few steps from this marker); William W. Chapman (within shouting distance of this marker); The Portland Building Transformation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fountain for Company H (about 500 feet away); SpanishAmerican War Soldier's Monument (about 500 feet away); Daniel H. Lownsdale (about 500 feet away); Ira Keller (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Washington Ellipse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Also see . . . Lake Tai (Wikipedia).
There are limestone formations at the foot of the adjacent Dongting Mountain (洞庭山). These "scholar's rocks" or "Taihu stones" are often prized as a decorating material for traditional Chinese gardens, as exemplified by those preserved in nearby Suzhou.(Submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 26, 2026
3. Lake Tai Rock
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
