China is definitely filled with beautiful temples and fabulously manicured gardens. Walking through these tranquil gardens on these hot summer days is such a peaceful experience. We spent the morning walking through this beautiful gardens enjoying the sunny weather and the cool the shade provides.
Yu yuan Garden 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.
In the 400 years of existence, Yuyuan Garden had undergone many changes. During the late Ming Dynasty, it became very dilapidated with the decline of Pan’s family. In 1760, some rich merchants bought it and spent more than 20 years reconstructing the buildings. During the Opium War of the 19th century, it was severely damaged. The garden we got to explore is the result of a five year restoration project which began in 1956.
Yu yuan Garden occupies an area of 20,000 square meters. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. As we entered the garden we encountered a rockery, which is called the Great Rockery. With a height of 14 meters, it is the largest as well as the oldest rockery in the southern region of the Yangtze River.
Sansui Hall was built in 1760 and was originally used to entertain guests. Later it became a place to hold ceremonies for the gentlemen and bookmen. With a height of nine meters and featuring five halls, it is the largest and most commodious structure in the garden. The name Sansui is derived from the book History of the later Han Dynasty, and means ‘propitious’ and ‘lucky’.
Wandering through the area of Yule Pavilion and Wanhua Chamber, we found numerous pavilions, corridors, streams and beautiful courtyards.
After such a peaceful morning we couldn’t wait to have a cup of lovely Chinese tea in Shanghai’s oldest teahouse.
Janaline's world journey 
Happy christmas, Janaline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much….sorry only replying now, it has been one of those busy years…..hope you have had a good year.
LikeLike
very nice place. awesome dragon walls. great pictures. thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the dragon wall!! It is very ornate and usually something you only find in a palace
LikeLike
Beautiful place. Such delicacy in the artful buildings. And the rockery is something new and interesting, never heard of one before, or at least seen one like this. It almost looks like a natural formation, but I assume it is man made, right?
LikeLike
I must admit that in these Chinese gardens it is quite hard to distinguish between what is natural and what is man made….it is all done with so much care.
LikeLike
Beautiful place!! I love the traditional Chinese architecture and the gorgeous views that you so successfully captured in photos!!
LikeLike
Thank you!! The garden is filled with so much detail that around every corner there is something new to see and apreciate.
LikeLike
How lucky you are to have been able to visit such a place, and how lucky are we to get to share it through your photos. Your Mom is lovely btw.
LikeLike
Thanks Frances! I am so lucky to be able to share these fabulous experiences with my mom who is also my friend!!
LikeLike
Great photos!
LikeLike
Thanks Angela! It was such a beautiful Garden and offered so many stunning photo opportunities.
LikeLike
Great photos of the garden, Jabakube! Such a wonderful tour 🙂 Here is a fun story of the dragon wall if you scroll down… http://wp.me/pSlDL-5xG 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Amy!! That dragon wall was sooooo beautiful, definitely want to know more about it.
LikeLike
Excellent pics what a fun place to explore..:-))
LikeLike
Thanks Ed. It was fabulous to spend the morning in these beautiful gardens with my mom.
LikeLike
Love how you’ve captured the fascinating rooflines! So much detail! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
LikeLike
Thanks Rusha!! I did love that the place had so much detail and that there were dragons ontop of the walls and sailing across the rooves.
LikeLike
And aren’t they just so wonderful. I love these gardens and I just loved the history and peaceful tranquillity they offered.
LikeLike
I agree!! It was such a peaceful place and I felt totally relaxed by the time we left the garden for a cup of Chinese flowering tea.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this post. Yu Yuan gardens looks stunning! you’ve got some great photo’s.
LikeLike
Thank you!! It was such a huge place that we are not sure we actually got to walk through the whole garden and might have missed a piece. It was so peaceful and tranquil.
LikeLike
Good post – it looks wonderful!
LikeLike
Thanks Andrew! Was a lovely way to spend the morning!
LikeLike
Beautiful place, I love the dragon wall! Does it require a fee to enter?
LikeLike
The dragon wall is stunning and actually runs along the whole garden. I do believe that it required a fee to enter although I cannot remember what the fee was. It was definitely worth it though!
LikeLike
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
HAPPY TRAVELS 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Marcos!! Glad you could join the journey!!
LikeLike