A representative classical garden of southern China：Yu Garden

Photo: @alesscamera

Yu Garden（豫园）, a representative classical garden of southern China, is a must when tourists travel to Shanghai. It is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago. A provincial commissioner of Sichuan named Pan Yunduan privately owned this garden during the Ming Dynasty (1368 _1644). He built this garden for pleasing his father, and that is where the name of the garden comes from. the Chinese character 愉 which means pleasing shares a similar pronunciation with 豫.

Scattered in the garden are pavilions, towers, rockeries and zigzagging paths as well as the famous Exquisite Jade Rock, Dianchun Hall and Temple of the Town God. Over centuries, many renowned calligraphers and writers left inscriptions and poems depicting the garden. Roaming along the old commercial street lined with 40-plus historical buildings, tourists can taste delicacies from around eastern China and have fun participating in various recreational activities.