Finished in 1577 in the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden is a renowned classical garden located in Nanshi, Shanghai. It was originally built by government official Pan Yunduan as a private estate for his parents in their old age. Throughout its 400 years of history, it has undergone numerous restorations and was finally opened to the public in 1961.
The 65,600 square feet (20,000 sq. m) garden is smaller than others of its kind, but its attractions and exquisite scenery are among the finest in China. Enclosed in an undulating dragon wall, the garden is filled with traditional Ming Dynasty pavilions, elaborate rockeries, ponds, and arched bridges.