Yu Yuan gets its name from the Ming Dynasty gardens of the same name. Yu Yuan means "to please the parents," at least that's what I was told. This garden is more like a park, rather large with lots of ponds, pavilions, winding paths, and gates. It's easy to get lost, and the entrance and exit are both on the same end. Admission is about Y25 ($3), and you could spend a couple of hours in there. For about $10, you can get your picture taken in Ming Dynasty clothes.
The highlight of Yu Yuan, though, is the Huxingting Tea House -- it's so Chinese!!! (At least our idea of what Chinese should be.) Bring your camera! To get to it, you must cross the pink "bridge of nine turnings." The nine turnings keep the evil spirits from crossing -- they can only move in a straight line. You can have tea (and a ceremony) in the tea house. (There is also a tea ceremony included in your garden admission, but it's a little hard to find.)
The whole area is surrounded by shops with all the things tourists like to buy. Don't pay the first price, or even the second. Price tags don't necessarily mean a thing. If it's too expensive, 10 other shops probably have the same thing. The whole area looks Ming Dynasty, but actually, only the garden and the teahouse are authentic. The rest is reproduction.