16 Dec 2017 - Shanghai Day 2: Yu Garden (豫园)

Yuyuan Garden (豫园) is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

Upon entering the garden, we encountered a rockery, which is called the Huge Rockery. With a height of 14 meters (about 50 feet), it is the largest as well as the oldest rockery in the southern region of the Yangtze River.

Within the garden, there are a number of pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics.

There are six main scenic areas here: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden. Each area features several scenic spots within its borders.

The true treasure of Yuyuan is the Exquisite Jade Rock (玉玲珑). The rock is 3.3 meters (about 10.8 feet) in height and has 72 holes. What is interesting about this rock is that if you burn a joss stick just below the rock, the smoke will magically float out from all of the holes. Similarly, when you pour water into the rock from top, the water will flow out from each hole creating a spectacular sight to see.

The Inner Garden (内园) was a separate garden built in 1709, but is now a part of Yuyuan in the south. It is compact and exquisite, and the rocks, pavilions, ornamental ponds and flower walls offer some of the most attractive sceneries in Yuyuan.

Within the garden, there is a shop selling art works of the olden days.

We walked around the garden till it's about closure time.

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