Yuyuan Garden

A picturesque labyrinth of alleys crisscross the complex of ornate shophouses.

Located inside the old city is Yuyuan Garden, a sprawling multi-generation owned, and multiple-times destroyed-restored real estate comprising placid ponds with willows, rockeries and pavilions. Part of the garden complex, and this is where the diehard tourist heads to, stands an imposing array of buildings packed with shops offering ceramics, herbs, silks and of course tea in all its varieties. Just as plentiful are restaurants, snack bars and tea houses catering to every whim and taste both local and foreign. Narrow and broad alleys between the ornate buildings lead to spacious courtyards where cultural shows and other demos are regular fixtures. Adding to the buzz are the numerous pushcarts flogging a wide assortment of tourist trinkets. Together with the crush of humanity this latter day bazaar offers the sights, sounds and smells that draw tourists hungry for a piece of oldtime action when gold nugget laden merchants and nobles shop with wives, children and mistresses in tow.

One of the entrances to Yuyuan with its heritage goldsmith shop on the left.