The Vase is a Wall: Yu Garden, Shanghai, China
The Vase is a Wall is one of the many unique doorways at The Yu Garden (Happy Garden), located near the Old City of Shanghai south of the Bund in Shanghai, China. Built during the Ming dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father, the minister Pan En, in his old age. Pan Yunduan began the project after failing one of the imperial exams, but his appointment as governor of Sichuan postponed construction for nearly twenty years until 1577. The garden was the largest and most prestigious of its era in Shanghai, but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pans.
The garden comprises an area of roughly 5 acres and is divided into six different scenic areas: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall, and the Inner Garden. Each area is separated by walls, each containing separate dragon heads and uniquely shaped doorways. Rocks, ponds, doorways, and bridges serve as further dividers. The Great Rockery allows visitors to have a great view of the colorful garden.