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Fountain at Yi Gardens, Shanghai

Yi Gardens in central Shanghai was well worth a visit. It was very crowded and it did take me a while to find the main entrance but I’m glad I did. Taken from the zigzag Bridge of Nine Turnings. I wish I could tell you more about the buildings and the meanings behind the four small statues surrounding the fountain. My internet research hasn’t come up with much. Even a map of the gardens and knowing I was stood on the bridge I’m uncertain of the names of what we are looking at here. If you know more about that these buildings, let us know in the comments.

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Shanghai from Waibaidu Bridge

Called the Garden Bridge in English, Waibaidu Bridge is China’s first all-steel bridge. Built in 1856 it crosses Suzhou Creek near where it joins the Huangpu River. When I stayed in Shanghai this bridge was next to my hotel on the north side of the creek. I walked across it many times heading south towards The Bund and central Shanghai. Black and white processing of photographs often highlights details that are easier to overlook in the colour version. In this case the textures on the tarmac and the patterns that the rivets make on the steel of the bridge.

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Shanghai skyline at night

Shanghai skyline at night

This view was the reason I wanted to visit Shanghai. The tall building lit up with purple lights is the Oriental Pearl Tower. The two largest spheres are around 50 metres in diameter. Opened in 1994 this tower is a symbol of Chinese architecture. The larger but further away building on the right. Lit up in yellow is the Shanghai Tower. This 632 metre tall tower is the second largest building in the world. 

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Shanghai at dawn

Shanghai at dawn

Standing on the Zhapu Road Bridge looking down Suzhou Creek towards Pudong. In the foreground, you can see Waibaidu Bridge, called the garden bridge in English. The building on the right is the Former Row Club. In the background, you can see the iconic buildings of the Pudong skyline. Taken before sunrise, the buildings aren’t lit up in the same way they are in the evenings. There is a better reflection on the water due to there being less wind so early in the morning.