Saturday, April 7, 2012

Greenspace

I love cities.  I love the energy and the people watching and the food and all there is to see and do in a city.  But I need my greenspace. When I'm in a city I'm always looking for the places you can go to get away from the noise and the crowds.  Hubs and I spent a lovely lazy few hours meandering through one such space in Shanghai.  

G is for Garden
Yuyuan Garden 


Or Yu Garden as it is more commonly known.


The rain stopped and we soaked in the beauty that was all around.  
The roof lines here are their own form of poetry.


The gardens were completed in 1577 by an officer of the Ming Dynasty named Pan Yunduan. Nothing like a trip to China to remind you of all you don't know when it comes to history.


Pan Yunduan built the gardens so his parents would have a beautiful and peaceful space to spend their later years.   

I hope my girls are reading this.   
 

The garden has gone through many changes in the course of its 400+ year history.  It had fallen into a state of ruin and in the early 1700's some wealthy merchants purchased the garden and made improvements so a portion could be opened to the public. 

Lots of detail and intricate carving mark the Chinese rooftops.


During the Opium Wars of the 1800's the garden again fell into disrepair and many of the original structures were destroyed.  They were eventually repaired by the Chinese government in the late 1950's and were opened to the public once again in 1961.  

Head of the Dragon Wall...the rest of him tops the wall that wraps round the garden.  


Yu Garden is divided into six scenic areas and sits on about five acres which feels like much more.  


The serenity and ancient design are in stark contrast to the ultra modern towering skyline of Shanghai sitting just beyond its walls.


Zig Zag Bridge


Jade Rock


A picture perfect day in old Shanghai.

18 comments:

  1. Oh Joyce, these are beautiful pictures!
    BTW: I told my husband your story about Steve Forbes. He laughed and said he never would have allowed him to escaped and would have been a terrible seat mate for him asking him all sorts of questions! ;o)

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  2. Beautiful garden. It always amazes me how nice Greenspace can be in the biggest cities.

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  3. Pretty! (And I think that all kids should think of something like this for their aging parents, too!)

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  4. So interesting! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Happy Easter!
    Ann

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  5. Joyce, absolutely beautiful. I love walking through gardens. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. Had to laugh about your reference to your girls.... building you a garden for your golden years!

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  6. thank you for that escape! gorgeous!

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  7. What a neat place! It is always nice to find somewhere in the busy city where you can relax and enjoy quietly. Your pictures are beautiful, you captured the surroundings so well! I love all the different architecture. Thanks for sharing!
    until next time...nel

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  8. what a wonderful advennture...maybe one day...hubs got to go to china last year with business. he got some great shots, too! so glad you had fun

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  9. I've been to that garden about 4 years ago--never wanted to leave.

    Look forward to your challenge run…
    --Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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  10. G is also for gorgeous....your pictures are amazing! I really hope to make it there some day! Happy Easter to you all!

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  11. Oh, gorgeous! I love gardens, too -- I'm like you. The energy of the city is great, but it's nice to have a retreat.

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  12. Good Morning, Joyce,
    Everything is so ornate...and looks beautiful there.

    Easter Blessing to you and your family. Have a wonderful day together.

    Take care, ~Natalie

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  13. Wow, absolutely beautiful. Happy Easter!

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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  14. Awesome pics of an amazing place. Thanks for sharing. The kids really want us to take them to China. Hopefully one day soon.

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  15. Oh Joyce, such beautiful photos of a gorgeous place, and a history lesson to boot! :) It looks like you are having a wonderful time.

    By the way, I love your orange coat.

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