The Asian population in Austin is growing rapidly and is quite diverse in terms of origin. Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino and Japanese communities all celebrate their unique cultures through local attractions, a variety of festivals and special events.
 One of the most popular attractions is the Zilker Botanical Gardens. The 60-acre gardens feature flower trails, a butterfly garden, a rose garden and the Taniguchi Oriental Garden. Built by Isamu Taniguchi when he was 70 years old, this peaceful paradise features Koi ponds, a Togetsu-kyo bridge and a Japanese teahouse.
The Chua Linh-Son Temple, built in 1984 as a private residence, features a prayer hall and hosts various Vietnamese and Buddhist events.
The Asian American Cultural Center hosts the annual Lunar New Year Festival, the Austin Dragon Boat Race and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with parades, martial arts, cultural dance performances, parties and music.
Chinatown Center includes M.T. Supermarket, the largest Central Texas Asian supermarket, a variety of authentic Asian cuisine restaurants, jewelry stores, the Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce and more than 40 other retail shops.
Fielding Lecht Gallery at 708 Congress Ave. hosts a variety of art exhibitions from contemporary Vietnamese and Southeast artists.
ANNUAL EVENTS
May
Austin Dragon Boat Festival
Town Lake
Festival features dragon boat races, martial arts demonstrations, dancers and a variety of Asian foods.
www.asianamericancc.com
August
Austin Bamboo Festival
Zilker Botanical Garden
This annual event features tours of theTaniguchi Japanese Garden, traditional dances, bamboo crafts and flute music.
512-477-8672
www.bamboocentral.net
November
Austin Asian Film Festival
Various venues
Each year CinemaAsia organizes the Austin Asian Film Festival, a cutting edge festival that reflects the talents of established and emerging filmmakers while exploring the social/cultural issues of the diverse regions of Asia. Through its humanistic, independent and thought-provoking films, the festival celebrate the strength, humanity and spirit of Asians and Asian Americans.
www.cinemaasiaaustin.org/index.htm
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