Yu Garden, Shanghai – respect for parents

This oasis in Shanghai was apparently the inspiration for the Willow Pattern design. Built by a nobleman as a tribute to his parents, it features a full moon gate, arched stone bridges and a karst rock transported from the Yellow River. The rock has over 70 holes and can be viewed over the water from the island pavilion. The classy gift shop sells jade carved stamps that you can get carved with your name in Characters and letters. Also a magic scroll for practising painting characters with a wet brush. If you stuff up it doesn’t matter as when it dries, everything disappears. Photo: David Street.