Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai (must see)

This lovely classical Chinese garden was built in 1577, during the Ming Dynasty, by a high-ranking imperial court official who dedicated it to his elderly father. The name is fitting, as “yu” means peace and comfort in Chinese. Perhaps because of this auspicious name, or simply through good fortune, the garden survived centuries of changing circumstances and was reopened to the public in 1961.

For those unfamiliar with Chinese gardening, Yu Garden offers a fine introduction to its elegance, expressed through hidden bat and dragon motifs and, in this particular case, a large authentic rockery dating back to the Ming period. Overall, the garden places less emphasis on flowers and more on water, rocks, architecture, and the harmonious arrangement of its elements.

It may appear small at first, but you will be amazed by how much is contained within it. The corridors, archways, and zigzag bridges are all carefully placed and rich in meaning. Of special interest is the Ming-style rosewood furniture displayed in three halls within the garden, one of which is famous as the headquarters of the anti-imperialist Little Sword Society during the Taiping uprising in the 1850s and 1860s. The roofs and tops of the walls are decorated with carvings of dragons, horses, and warriors.

Another highlight is the famous Jade Rock, a 5-ton boulder said to have once belonged to the private collection of Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong. Interestingly, the rock’s 72 holes are reportedly arranged so that water or smoke poured into one hole emerges from all the others simultaneously. Sometimes, guides demonstrate another trick by dropping a coin into a hole at the top and watching it exit through a particular lower opening, supposedly determined by the visitor’s astrological sign.

Try to arrive early, as close to opening time as possible; otherwise, queues later in the day are often long. Bring a bottle of water, or visit the two-storey teahouse on the island in the middle of the garden. Queen Elizabeth II once stopped there for tea, so it is now rather pricey, but you are still welcome to have a look around.