| Yu
Yuan Garden (1559 onward)
other
sites in Shanghai |
Shanghai, China |
Click on an image to enlarge
Yuyuan garden, the Garden of Leisurely Repose, was built in the Ming dynasty. It is the only Ming garden left in the city. The entire compound consists of over 30 halls and is divided into six regions by tall white walls. It was reportedly built in 1559 by the wealthy official Pan Yunduan to please his parents in their old age. Over the centuries the garden declined along with the Pan family's fortunes. The garden suffered extensive damage in the 19th century but was repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956-1961. It is stylistically similar to many Suzhou gardens.
Bibliography
All images copyright 2001 Yat-lun Ng, graduate student of Yale University.