Yu Garden & Bazaar: Where Relaxation and Adventure Converge

Visit the Yu Gardens and Bazaar for shopping, souvenirs, sightseeing and more! Complete with beautiful structures whose architectural designs are reminiscent of that of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, this is a classical garden which is accompanied by over 300 years of proud history.

Boasting of its proud reputation as being one of the most beautiful gardens in the city, the garden spans across a stunning five acres and is home to a number of pavilions, man made hills, lotus ponds and bamboo groves that make for an exceptionally picturesque and extremely relaxing evening stroll. Also known as the Garden of Peace and Happiness, the central attraction of the garden is undoubtedly the Jade Rock.

The inception of the Yu Garden dates back several centuries, back to the Ming Dynasty and is considered to have been the largest of its kind at the time. However, its great expenses resulted in the ruin of the family that initiated the project and its ownership changed hands many times. The Yu Gardens can perhaps be perceived as a symbol of endurance as well for it is said to have suffered damage during the First Opium War, the Taiping Rebellion and later even by the Japanese during the Second World War
However, the Gardens continued to endure the abuse inflicted upon it during these uprisings and was finally repaired by the Chinese government and declared a national monument. The garden is located in the Old City of Shanghai and is a classic preservation of the Ming Garden designs.

Adjacent to the Gardens is the Yu Garden Bazaar, a location in Shanghai that attracts many citizens and tourists in search of souvenirs, antiques and a marvellous shopping experience in general. For the claustrophobic, the Bazaar maybe perceived as a nightmare, especially during the weekend but its throngs of crowds and multitude of vendors selling a diverse collection of wares only add to the overall experience of the Bazaar.

The Gardens and its adjoining bazaar can be accessed through Shanghai’s Metro service and would make an interesting excursion, perhaps for lunch followed by a lazy afternoon’s shopping. When in this Chinese city, staying at a Shanghai boutique hotel allows you to access a number of such diverse experiences and return to luxury and comfort. Of such residences in Shanghai, opting to reside at 88 Xiantiandi Shanghai would surely contribute to making your experience in the country pleasant and truly memorable.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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