Yu Garden

Introduction 

A completely restored classical Chinese Garden located on number 137, Anren Street in Huangpu District near the Old City God Temple, Yu garden occupies an area of approximately 20,000 square meters and is ranked as one of the must-see destinations in Shanghai. It was inaugurated 400 years during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and was owned by Pan Yunduan, a government official. Pan built this garden for his parents as a place for relaxing in their old age and gave it the name Yu which is a Chinese name that means satisfying and pleasing. Pan hired expert horticulturists to design the layout of the garden making it the most famous and the biggest garden of his time. However, the garden really cost him a fortune to the extent of making him bankrupt.

It has more than 40 scenic spots and are divided into six sections by five walls. The six scenic spots include the Ten Thousand-Flower Pavilion, the Lotus Pool, Grand Rockery, the Hall of Jade Magnificence, the Hall of Heralding Spring and the Inner Garden. The garden was later inherited by Zhang Zhaolin, who was Pan’s granddaughter's husband and was then passed down to different owners. 

Between 1760 and 1780, the garden was face-lifted by a group of merchants and the West Garden was eventually opened to the public. The gardens went through damage for a couple of times during the 19th century. However in 1842, the garden succumbed damage due to the First Opium War when the British army used the Huxinting Teahouse, during the Taiping Rebellion, the Small Swords Society used Dianchun Hall as its headquarters. Between 1956 and 1961, the garden was repaired by the Shanghai government and was later opened to the public in 1961. 

Things to do and see on a layover 

Exquisite Jade Rock and Carvings

This exquisite jade rock is the true treasure of Yu Garden and is amongst three other famous rocks in south China. The jade rock measures 3.3 meters in height and weighs 5 tonnes. It is shaped beautifully and has spikes and is porous with 72 holes. It is a very unique rock and has interesting characteristics that fascinate tourists. For instance, when water is poured from the top of the rock it will flow out from every single hole creating the most flattering view and also when a joss stick is burnt from below the rock, smoke magically flows out through all the holes. 

In addition to the big rocks, there are also small brick carvings and clay sculptures that are very interesting to look at.

Yuhua Hall

Yuhua Hall is located in front of the exquisite Jade Rock to appreciate the existence of the magical rock. The furniture inside the hall was made during the Ming Dynasty using top-grade rosewood and displays the most natural and graceful looks. 

Flower Show

Every year there are flower shows such as the orchid show is held in April, plum flower show held in January and chrysanthemum show held in September. The shows are organized by private individuals. 

Great Rockery

In the garden, there is a great rock that is known as the Great Rockery built with thousands of tons of rocks standing at 14 meters high and is the oldest and largest rock in the southern region of the Yangtze River. From the top of the rock, visitors can get a bird's eye view of the garden.

Lantern Show

This Lantern Show is held every New Year from first January to eighteenth of every lunar calendar. 

Sansui Hall

Sansui Hall was named from the book of the history of Han Dynasty which means propitious and lucky. It was constructed at a height of 9 meters with five rooms this hall is the most accommodating area in the garden that was used initially used as an entertainment area for events and ceremonies. 

Cuixiu Hall

Located at the foot of the Great Rockery near Cuixiu Hall, this elegant and quiet hall is surrounded by the most magical flowers and old trees. Visitors can also walk through curio shops in the hall.

Wanhua Chamber

This delicate building is enclosed by spring bamboo surrounded by cloisters. Right in front of the chamber are two old trees. One of which is believed to have been planted by Pan and has over the years grown to 21 meters high.

Nine Bend Bridge

This Nine Bend Bridge is zigzag in shape and is also part of the Yu Garden. When night falls, the area around the bridge glows under colorful lights creating a very attractive scene. During the Chinese New Year, lantern exhibitions are held here and they attract great crowds. Locals believe that walking across the bridge brings people good luck in that the number nine symbolizes auspiciousness.

Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition

There are paintings and calligraphy exhibitions sometimes held in the garden where famous artists display their work, inscriptions and couplets. 

Food and Shopping

Outside of the garden, visitors can also taste numerous Shanghai snacks like Nanxiang steamed buns, chop rice cakes and crispy fried cakes that are really juicy and soft. On the bazaar, visitors can shop for souvenirs like jewelry, antiques, decorations, arts, handicrafts, lanterns, silk, crafts and many more products. 

City God Temple Bazaar 

Introduction 

Originally known as the Jinshan Temple, the Yu Garden Market and locally known as Chenghuangmiao, the City God Temple is a Taoist temple located at the Middle of Fangbang Road and is connected to the Yu Garden in the south near the bustling Yuyuan Market. It was constructed during the Ming Dynasty between 1402 and 1624 during the reign of Emperor Yongle to protect the safety of the people in the city where the gods are referred to as patron Taoism saints.

The street where the temple is located now covers an area of 2000 square kilometers and has developed over time and expanded to accommodate shopping centers, open-air stalls and snack streets stretching from Anren Street towards the east, Old Xiaochang Road on the west side and Fuyou Road in the north. Presently, the temple includes nine palaces Sixty-year Cycle Palace, Parents Palace, City God Palace, Empress Palace, God of Fortune Palace, Huo Guang Palace, Cihang Palace, Wenchang Palace and Guansheng Palace. The temples halls have immortal statues that receive endless prayers and are perceived to be in charge of different aspects of life. There are also three god towns like the Qin Yubo, Huo Guang and Chen Huacheng. Qin Yubo was constructed to resemble the emperor's throne room because his mum wished to see it but when the emperor discovered his intentions, Qin Yubo transformed it to look a temple to escape punishment.

Things to see and do on a visit

Ancient activities 

At the temple visitors can watch folk performances, acrobatics, learn special calligraphy and participate in cockfighting. 

Local snacks

The area around the temple is full of local snack vendors and a wide variety of restaurants. There are many renowned restaurants such as Lu Bo Lang that have had the privilege of hosting various international guests including former American president Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, there are many others like Shanghai De Xing Guan, Songyue Vegetarian Restaurant and Nanxiang Small Steamed Buns. The area has delicacies such as Shepherd's-purse Wonton, Crystal Shelled Shrimp, Eight Delicacies in Hot Sauce, a variety of buns like Crab Soup Buns, Barbecued Pork Buns, Mini Steamed Buns and Vegetable Buns, desserts such as Black Rice Balls, Date Mash Cakes, Osmanthus Cakes, Chop Rice Cakes and Plum Flower Cakes among many more.

Worshipping 

At the City God Temple immortals such as Huo Guang who was a famous general in the Western Han Dynasty is worshipped. Guan Yu is honored as the general during the Three Kingdoms period and the national martial icon for centuries. There are also immortals responsible for fame, wealth, and literature amongst other many human needs. Sacrifices are also offered here to local deities to appreciate their honesty and favors.

The temple is also known as two city gods because two gods share the same temple with Huo Guang occupying the front hall and the god of Shanghai city Qin Yubo occupying the back hall.

Shopping 

Apart from worship, the temple area is a flourishing shopping area with handicrafts, buttons, souvenirs, holiday decorations, plush, antiques, snacks, gadgets and different types of gifts.

Bund

Introduction 

The Bund popularly known as Wai Tan is a renowned waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River in Huangpu District, Shanghai. The waterfront stretches for 1500 meters from Waibaidu bridge to the east of Jinling Road and it faces the Oriental Pearl Tower. There are 52 different classical buildings bearing western, Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic and Chinese styles which make up the financial center of old Shanghai and the concentration zone of foreign trade agencies. The area is located on East Zhongshan number one road and is recognized as the pride and symbol of Shanghai.

The name Bund is of Anglo Indian origin and it means an embankment of a muddy waterfront. The area where the Bund stands now used to be a muddy towpath for boats from Huangpu River. In 1842 after the First Opium War Shanghai opened up and became an open port where Great Britons settled. In 1845 the British colonialists seized the Bund and set up the British concession. Afterward, many other foreign nations such as the United States of America, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Japan and Netherlands set up their distinct buildings raising the status of Shanghai to become Asia’s leading cosmopolitan and thriving financial and commercial center. 

Things to do and see on a visit 

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

This sightseeing Tunnel is a three to five minutes ride that goes through colorful lights in a distance of about 646.7 meters running between Puxi and the Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong.

Sunset on Waibaidu Bridge

Waibaidu Bridge is the best place to have a view of the old Shanghai complex. When the sun sets this bridge is shrouded by golden rays and creates a romantic scene for love birds. Many film directors and producers choose this location for scenes and it has become very famous amongst locals and tourists alike. 

Stroll at the waterfront avenue

Strolling along a mile-long stretch at the Huangpu waterfront from the north end to the south end gives visitors the perfect opportunity to see colonial-era architecture from western roots that are graceful and rich antiques. Visitors get to see arches from ancient Greece, Spanish balconies, pointed Gothic roofs and Baroque columns.

Cruise on the Huangpu River

A cruise on Huangpu River presents visitors with the chance to see historical architecture and soaring skyscrapers on the opposite side of the river. At night the buildings on the banks are illuminated and present a very enchanting view of Shanghai. The florid Bund night view from a Huangpu River cruise. Dazzling lights completely enlighten the area and exhibit the magnificence of the buildings on the banks and flashing light shadows reflect on the floating river water. 

Most of the cruises last as long as thirty minutes to three and a half hours cruises. In addition there is a ferry ride across to Pudong where visitors can also experience the scenic views on both sides of the river.

Watch the Locals Doing Their Morning Exercises

At the Bund, locals can be seen taking their regular morning exercises. Some will be seen jogging, walking, practicing tai chi and flying kites.

Spend Some Time in Huangpu Park

At the northern end of the Bund is Huangpu Park. It is like a small oasis situated between the Bund and busy shopping areas. The manicured lawn and gardens particularly stand out as there is not much green space in this part of Shanghai. It is a wonderful place to have a rest and to take photos, day or night.

Where to Shoot Panoramic Views of the Bund?

There are three ideal locations to see the full view of the Bund: Pudong Binjiang Avenue, on a Huangpu River Cruise, and one of the skyscrapers in Pudong like Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower. If you want to take beautiful photos of the Bund, we advise you to hire a guide who can give you tips about when and where to go. A knowledgeable guide can arrange different places to take photos according to the weather.

Appreciate high rises across the Huangpu River

At the Bund, visitors can feel the charm of the exotic old Shanghai and also experience modern Shanghai across Huangpu River dominated by dense high rises in Pudong New Area on the opposite bank. There are buildings such as the Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower and the top four highest skyscrapers in the city. These skyscrapers dominate the skyline and create a perfect backdrop for photographers.