Yu Garden

Yu Garden, Yuyuan, lies in the old walled city area of Shanghai in Huangpu District, next to the City God Temple and a large bazaar of traditional-style shops. It covers about 2 hectares.

The garden was created by Pan Yunduan, a Ming dynasty official, who began it in 1559 as a place for his elderly father to enjoy in retirement; the name Yu means pleasing or peaceful. Work took around two decades. The garden declined after the Pan family's fortunes fell, was partly taken over by merchant guilds in the Qing period, and was damaged during the Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion. It was restored from 1956 and opened to the public in 1961.

The garden is divided into several scenic areas linked by covered walkways, moon gates and zigzag paths. The Grand Rockery, piled from yellow stone, was possibly created by the Ming craftsman Zhang Nanyang. The Exquisite Jade Rock, a porous stone about 3.3 metres tall, is said in one story to have been meant for the garden of the Huizong Emperor and salvaged from the Huangpu River after its boat sank. Halls such as the Sansui Hall and the Hall of Heralding Spring, ponds with carp, and a dragon wall with a clay dragon head are other highlights. Outside the garden, the Huxinting Teahouse stands in a pond reached by the Bridge of Nine Turnings.

The garden charges an entry fee, and tickets may require passport details for foreign visitors. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

The garden is laid out in the Suzhou style in six main areas separated by dragon walls, and it holds more than 40 scenic spots of pavilions, rockeries and ponds. The Hall of Heralding Spring, Dianchun Hall, built in 1820, served as the base of the Small Swords Society during its uprising from September 1853 to February 1855. A ginkgo about 400 years old stands in the front courtyard of the Wanhua Chamber.

The Inner Garden was first laid out in 1709 and was recreated in 1956 by combining its east and west parts. The West Garden opened to the public as early as 1780, long before the whole garden was opened in 1961. Japanese forces damaged the garden again in 1942, and much of what visitors see today is the result of the restoration from 1956.

The Yuyuan Bazaar around the garden has hundreds of shops selling jewellery, silk, antiques, crafts, souvenirs and snacks. Yuyuan Garden station on Shanghai Metro Lines 10 and 14 is the nearest stop. Tickets can be bought at the garden's windows; prices vary by season, so check the current rate before you go.