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Yuyuan Gardens
The Yuyuan
Gardens are located in the southwest of the city. Although the gardens have been
dubbed slightly tacky, they are still worth a visit. Try not to visit them on
the weekend because they are very crowded. The gardens were
completed by the Pan family in 1577. The originals were destroyed twice in the
1800s and have now been restored. Today, the gardens attract hordes of Chinese
tourists. Opening hours are between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
daily. The area
surrounding the gardens makes up the Old City God’s Temple Area, which was known
in colonial times as the "Chinese City". Today, the area directly around Yuyuan
has been "renovated" somewhat tastelessly and is a mass of tourist shops and
tacky decorations. Many dignitaries, such as the Queen of England and former US
president Bill Clinton, have taken tea in the famous Huxinting Tea House. The
Tea House is something of an institution around these parts, and while it is
very quaint and interesting, it is extortionately over
priced. There are
numerous antique markets and small side streets around this area, which have yet
to be renovated by authorities. There is a great antique market just off the
Shanghai "Old street" and another in a small alley called Dongtai Lu. Be
prepared to bargain hard in these places. Keep in mind that some of the products
here may be genuine antiques, while others may be fakes. The most popular
English expression in these places seems to be: "Very old, very cheap"!
This area is fair
sized and includes the streets around Fuyou Street, Dongtai Lu and Henan
Lu.
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