Yu Garden in Shanghai, China

 Invitation

     By Marianne Peel Forman

They tell me
the Chinese don't show everything at once.
This would be obscene.
The Chinese,
masters of luring curiosity...
showing the head of the dragon,
but not the tail.

Here the four elements
of a Chinese Garden
surround you
carry you
envelop you
in one small alcove
at a time.
Greenery, rocks,
architecture, and water
flowing in a yin yang harmony,
balancing space and time.

I slow down here,
move my feet carefully,
grace my Western self
through this balanced space.
I keep my voice close inside
like a whisper,
not wanting to startle this space
where even the limestone rocks
seem to breathe.

There is one
tiger lily plant
amidst this canvas.
A small fire
between earth and sky.

Two mandarin ducks
mated for life
move among the goldfish.

The lattice work sculptures
offer small visions into the next tableau
of green plants, gray rocks, and flowing water.
They are said to
lick the scenery
beyond this space.

The portals
offer larger visions
into the next alcove.
They are said to
frame the scenery
beyond this space.

One sculpture
invites me
to massage my eyes,
my imagining.
An inkblot test
fashioned in limestone
instead of ink.
There is a woman
hidden within this rock,
and she is turning away from me,
yet still offering her hand,
luring me back into Yu Gardens.

There is no hurry here, ever,
and I take her hand and seek
one more tiger lily,
one more fire for my eyes...

 Gentle Reader...

Welcome to the Yu Gardens in Shanghai, China.  This gem is directly behind the Old City area, a quiet and tranquil space amidst the bustling noise and hawking in the Old City.  It is a place of portals, with each giving more for the eye as one steps through the opening.  One treasure after another.

Here is some background information on the Yu Gardens...

Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

In the 400 years of existence, Yuyuan Garden had undergone many changes. During the late Ming Dynasty, it became very dilapidated with the decline of Pan's family. In 1760, some rich merchants bought it and spent more than 20 years reconstructing the buildings. During the Opium War of the 19th century, it was severely damaged. The garden you see today is the result of a five year restoration project which began in 1956. It was open to the public in September, 1961.

Yuyuan Garden occupies an area of 20,000 square meters (about five acres). However, the small size is not a representative of the attractions of the garden. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. There are six main scenic areas here: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden. Each area features several scenic spots within its borders.

Upon entering the garden, you will encounter a rockery, which is called the Great Rockery. With a height of 14 meters (about 50 feet), it is the largest as well as the oldest rockery in the southern region of the Yangtze River. On the top of the rockery, you can get a bird's eye view of the garden. Cuixiu Hall sits at the foot of the rockery. It is a quiet and elegant place surrounded by old trees and beautiful flowers. Visitors will find curio shops in the Cuixiu Hall.

Sansui Hall was built in 1760 and was originally used to entertain guests. Later it became a place to hold ceremonies for the gentlemen and bookmen. With a height of nine meters (about 30 feet) and featuring five halls, it is the largest and most commodious structure in the garden. The name Sansui is derived from the bookHistory of the later Han Dynasty, and means 'propitious' and 'lucky'.

Wandering in the area of Yule Pavilion and Wanhua Chamber, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features. Wanhua Chamber is a delicately chased building surrounded by derious cloisters. Spring bamboos grow beside the cloisters. In front of Wanhua Chamber, there are two old trees. One is a maidenhair tree which is 21 meters tall (about 70 feet).It is said that the tree was planted by the host of the garden 400 years ago.

The Dianchun Hall area is located east of Wanhua Chamber, and includes Hexu Hall, Relic Hall, Ancient Well Pavilion, and the Acting-and-Sing Stage. Dianchun Hall was once the headquarters of Xiaodao Hui, a revolted group who fought against the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) during 1853-1855. The coins made by Xiaodao Hui and the bulletins they proclaimed are currently displayed in the hall.