Jiahao Li

ENGL 150
Section: TH
Assignment 2 Rewriting
Samantha Futhey
2016/4/27
Yu Garden a place worth visiting
Located in the northeast of old city of Shanghai, China, Yu Garden, which covers more
than 30 acre square meters, is one of the remaining old tourist sites in Shanghai. This garden
leaves me lots of great memories when I was a kid. Almost every weekend, my family would
visit there because this place really can help people get daily stress and frustration. The
performance of traditional opera and these delicious snacks always could make me happy. It is
such a great place that I would like to introduce it for those who loves gardens and wants to have
a wonderful weekend.
As an important national garden which also is the major historical and cultural site, Yu
Garden was constructed by a Sichuan emissary Pan Yunduan who spent almost 20 years and all
his savings in the period of Emperor Jiajings rein of Ming Dynasty from 1559 and completed in
1577. Having more than 400 years history, Yu Garden is originally served for treating emissarys
parents with filial respect. That is the reason why it is called Yu because Yu in Chinese
means peace and health. There are brick-made dragons winding ups and downs on the fence of
Yu Garden.

Outside of garden, nowadays more and more shops and restaurants are located here.
Visitors can enjoy various kinds of traditional snacks here, such as dumplings, fried fish and
Chinese style BBQ.
Yu Garden consists of two sections, inner and outer parts. The inner section is in the
south of Yu Garden and is substantially smaller than outer one; however, it is more impressive
and romantic if it is possible to visit it in the early morning time and enjoy it. Inner garden has
rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers which are first laid out in 1709 and more recently
recreated in 1956 by combining its east and west gardens. (Baidu-pedia website) Also, inner
garden actually is little flower exhibition which has chrysanthemums, China roses, lilies,
peonies, tulips and lotuses in the pond. The outer garden is in the north and contains numerous
halls, pavilions and lakes.
For inner garden, I appreciate Yuhua Hall very much because there are nine stone lions
sitting surround it. The whole building is furnished by rosewood pieces, and it has the most
primitive cornices, brick and tile ancient custom relics. Theres another pavilion has a special
history and meaning to the people lived in Shanghai. In 1853, the Pavilion of Spring in the
northeast was the seat of the Xiaodao Hui, the Society of Little Swords, led an uprising against
Qing regime and occupied Shanghai for 17 months. Today, weapons and coins made by the
Xiaodao Hui society, among other objects, are exhibited in this hall. (Baidu-pedia website)
When visitors come into the garden, their first sight will be Sansui Hall. There is a board
engraved with Urban Forest above the door of Sansui Hall. These two words actually vividly
reflect Yu Garden surrounding by the hustle and bustle of the city but crowed by full of trees
inside. The Urban Mountain Forest is located at the west of the garden district; there are Sansui
hall, Rain Swirling Tower, Grand Artificial Hill, Hall of Elegance and other scenic sights. The

Grand Artificial Hill is the symbol of the Yu Garden, a legacy of Ming Dynasty. It was
constructed in accordance with the design made personally by the well-known mason Zhang
Nanyang. (Baidu-pedia website)
In Hualin Charming Valley, it has waterside pavilion, winding corridors, Floral Tower
and other scenic sites. The Most Enchanting Water stone site is situated at the eastern part
famous for its ponds and artificial hill. Walking through the Sansui hall, a magnificent rockery
will jump into visitors eyes. It is 20 meters tall and made of 2000 ton Wukang Yellowstone. It
always leaves visitors deep memory by its turns and twists style. (Baidu-pedia website)
The inner garden has only 2 acres but it is the essence of whole garden because it has
ponds, galleries, pavilions and bridge. There is also a stage in the center of the pond. In some
specific time, especially in morning time, visitors can enjoy the opera. Spring Hall is opposite to
the stage. The name of this hall is from a poem called Green Touches the Beauty of Spring.
Another hall is called beside the pond is Yuhua Hall. There is three big peaks, Jade Exquisite,
which is one of the three famous stones in southeast of China. In summer time, the pond will
burst into lotus. These blossom perfume the whole garden, which is gladdening the heart and
refreshing the mind. It cant be more impressive for visitors when they see such beautiful scene
and listen to the opera, and it is the best time to enjoy Chinese traditional custom.
Yu Garden, which has rich local flavor, now becomes important cultural property for
China. Many architect will find inspiration of design here because they can learn some ancient
design here. Many photographer will find their favorite works here because people integrates in
the beautiful scene. Many citizens will find a nice weekend here because be enchanted by the
feeling of coziness and harmonization. It is really a worth visiting place that I recommend to
everyone who has never been there before.

Work cite
Yu Garden, Baidu, Baidu-pedia, 2016