If there’s one place in Shanghai that feels like you’ve stepped right out of the city’s fast-paced rhythm and into a pocket of tranquility, it’s Yu Garden. Nestled in the heart of the Old City of Shanghai, Yu Garden — or Yuyuan Garden — is a breathtaking reminder of how art, architecture, and nature can blend so perfectly in the midst of a city renowned for its skyscrapers.
I first visited Yu Garden during my first trip to Shanghai — those early days when everything about living and teaching in China still felt so new and exciting. A small group of us, all international teachers, had decided to spend the afternoon exploring the city after our Disney English orientation. We were armed with cameras, curiosity, and absolutely no sense of direction. I remember wandering through its winding pathways, every corner revealing something new — a delicately carved pavilion, a serene koi pond, a centuries-old stone bridge. It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but slow down, breathe deeply, and just take it all in. Despite being surrounded by the buzz of Shanghai, inside the garden, it feels like time has softened around the edges.
Yu Garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty, built in the 1500s by a government official named Pan Yunduan as a place of peace for his parents. The name “Yu” means happiness and peace, which couldn’t be more fitting. The garden’s design captures that balance — every rock, tree, and pond placed with meaning. Traditional Chinese gardens aren’t just about beauty; they’re about philosophy, harmony, and storytelling.
Outside the garden walls, the Yu Garden Bazaar was a whirlwind of sound and color — red lanterns, shopkeepers calling out prices, the smell of freshly steamed dumplings drifting through the air. That’s when one of our fellow teachers — who was Chinese-American and loved sharing his culture with us — decided it was time for a true local experience. He led us to a tiny food stall and ordered duck blood curd soup.
I remember exchanging nervous glances with the others before taking a tentative bite. The texture was silky and unexpected while the broth was rich. It was one of those moments that defined what travel really is — not just seeing the world, but tasting it, learning from it, and stepping outside your comfort zone one bite at a time. It was an interesting experience, to say the least!
What struck me most about Yu Garden wasn’t just its beauty, but its contrast. Just beyond the curved rooftops and lotus ponds rise Shanghai’s modern skyscrapers — a breathtaking blend of ancient tradition and modern life.
As the day faded into evening, we headed back to our hotel rooms, reminiscing about the day we just had – exploring a new city, finding a place of calm amidst the hustle and bustle, adventurous food choices and swapping stories about where we’d come from. It was one of those small moments that stays with you — a gentle reminder of how far from home I was yet how connected the world can feel.
Yu Garden isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a feeling — one of peace, curiosity, and quiet discovery, tucked within the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.
LIFE OF SHAL 