If you are interested in the classical architecture of Chinese houses, you have to visit Yu Garden built in the Ming Dynasty, over 400 years ago. Pan Yunduan, a government officer, built the garden for his parents to enjoy in their old age. On 20,000 square meters, you find beautiful pavilions, bridges, archways, and pagodas.
The garden is divided into six areas which are separated by tiled dragon walls ending with beautiful dragon heads. Don’t miss the most impressive one - the ’Dragon crossing the clouds’.
Another highlight is the famous Exquisite Jade Rock. It is over three meters high and has more than 79 holes. It is said, that burning a joss stick below the rock makes the smoke float out of the holes.
A building that you should visit is the Hall of Heralding Spring which was once a headquarter of the Small Swords Society in the Taiping rebellion in the 1850s. The aim of the Small Swords Society was to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. In the Hall of Heralding Spring, you find an interesting collection of artifacts from that time, including weapons and coins.
If you can avoid the weekends because it can be very crowded.
