Yuyuan Garden

To find architecture that epitomizes Chinese design, go the Yuyuan Gardens which lies in the prosperous section of Shanghai's old city. In 1982, it was ranked as the key protection of national historic sites. The garden was commissioned in 1559 and finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means “pleasing and peaceful”, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy life in their old age.
 
Huangshi stone is one of the oldest, largest and finest south of the Yangtze River that can be seen today, created by the master Zhang Nanyang. There are also many brick sculptures, wood sculptures, stone inscriptions, and mud inscriptions scattered around the Yuyuan Garden, and many valuable old paintings and calligraphy masterworks could be seen in this classic garden. Winding pathways guide you through several rock gardens and bamboo stands, joining together stone bridges beside pools of carp fish. The gardens are truly an escape from the hustle of downtown Shanghai.