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“Let me take you somewhere special today”, beamed Jin Jin. I was rather exhausted from the previous days in the people packed Shanghai streets and was hoping for a restful Sunday afternoon but not wanting to disappoint Jin Jin I agreed.
Catching the bus at Wanli estate we wound through the suburbs of Shanghai traveling North West. We finally arrived at Nanxiang Town at Jiading. We got off the bus and began walking a short distance when my curiosity was aroused by an building from antiquity. “Let’s eat” smiled Jin Jin. “Here is where the famous Xiaolongbao (meat stuffed bun) originates.” My curiosity and hunger got the better of me. We entered this timely building, ordered hot tea - a delight on a cold Autumn day - and Xiaolongbao. The tea house was quiet and it was so relaxing to savour the Shanghai delicacy and sip tea. However the best treat was awaiting me.
Next to the Tea house was Guyi Garden. It was originally constructed in 1566.
The entire garden is divided into six scenic areas; the leisurely wild hall, the goose pond, the pine and crane garden, the blue clear garden and the mandarin duck lake. It is well-known for the green ripple bamboos, the winding and quiet water, the elegant building, the meaningful poetry and couplets rhyme as well as the exquisite colorful stone alley and so on. The five strong characteristics make the Guyi Garden to appear plain, simple, elegant, insipidity and neat.
What an absolute delight!! We wandered aimlessly through tranquil garden, past trickling streams, stood on old stone bridges and finally found a delightful hideaway tea house where the attendant served copious amounts of green tea and left us to sip and absorb the space, time and tranquility.
Guyi gardens are built in the traditional Chinese garden design leading you into a seeming altered state of gentle peace with each nook and corner. The Buddhas must have been smiling upon us that afternoon as we came across a small “floating” music hall where some elderly musicians had gathered to play gentle folk music with flute, zither, Er Hu and assortment of other instruments.
If you love traditional Chinese gardens and peace and quiet away from the bustling tourist track and Rolex watch hawkers then this secret hideaway is for you.
Take time to walk about another two kilometers along the main road to old Nanxiang town to discover exquisite little shops delighting at every turn. Jin Jin was right. It is truly somewhere special
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