Shanghai's Yu Garden (Yu Yuan) 10/20/06

Yu Garden is one of China's loveliest private classical gardens. Its name means Garden of Contentment, and once inside you literally feel miles away from modern and hectic Shanghai.


Its construction was completed in 1577 by an official, Pan Yunduan, as the private estate for his father, who served in the Ming Dynasty as the Minister of Punishments (imagine handing out THAT business card).


Its 5 acres are a remarkable maze of gorgeous Ming Dynasty pavilions and elaborate rockeries, arched bridges, and goldfish ponds, encircled by a massive, undulating dragon wall.