Welcome to Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) in Shanghai! With this Earthcache you will learn about Taihu Stone, a type of limestone, and about weathering.
歡迎來到上海豫園（豫園）！透過這個 Earthcache，您將了解太湖石（一種石灰石）以及風化作用。
Logging Tasks
Near the given coordinates you will find Jade Rock, the biggest Taihu Stone in Yu Garden. There are also a few other Taihu Stones to be found around the Yu Garden.
- Find one of the Taihu Stones in Yu Garden and describe its appearance. How big are the holes and what shape do they have?
If you visit another Taihu Stone than Jade Rock, please message me its coordinates.
- Explain in your own words how the unique shape of the Taihu Stones was created.
- Additionally, please take a picture of yourself, your GPS or something else that belongs to in front of a Taihu Stone and attach it to your log.
Please send me the answers to the questions via the Message Center. After that you can log your find immediately. I will try to answer you as soon as possible.
If you have any problems answering the questions, don't hesitate to contact me - I am glad to help. :)
Have fun!
Joskaranch
記錄任務
在給定的座標附近，您會發現玉石岩，這是豫園中最大的太湖石。豫園周圍還發現了一些其他太湖石。
1. 找豫園裡的一塊太湖石，描述一下它的樣子。孔有多大以及它們的形狀是什麼？
如果您參觀玉岩之外的其他太湖石，請告訴我它的座標。
2. 用自己的話解釋太湖石的獨特形狀是如何形成的。
3. 此外，請在太湖石前拍攝您自己、您的 GPS 或其他物品的照片，並將其附加到您的日誌中。
請透過訊息中心將問題的答案寄給我。之後，您可以立即記錄您的發現。我會盡快回覆您。
如果您在回答問題時遇到任何問題，請隨時與我聯繫 - 我很樂意為您提供協助。 :)
玩得開心！
Yu Garden
Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden) is a famous classical Chinese garden located in the heart of Shanghai's Old Town. It was built during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century by a government official named Pan Yunduan as a place of relaxation for his aging father. The garden spans over two hectares and features traditional Chinese architecture, rockeries, pavilions, and ponds. Its most iconic elements include the rock formations made from Taihu stones, winding pathways and bridges, and serene water features, all designed to show the natural beauty of landscapes within a limited space. The garden's name, "Yu," means "peace and comfort," and describes its intended purpose. Yu Garden is one of the most peaceful places in the busy city center and one of the top tourist destinations of Shanghai.
What is Taihu Stone?
Taihu stone (太湖石, Tàihú shí) is a type of limestone which is famous for its irregular and porous shape and aesthetic appeal in traditional Chinese garden design. It originates from Taihu Lake, a large freshwater lake near Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, which gives the stone its name.
Taihu stones are formed through natural weathering processes, particularly by water, which give them their unique appearance. Over time, water dissolves the softer parts of the limestone and leaves behind the complex, perforated shapes that make these rocks look so special.
The stones have irregular shapes, often with a complex, weathered surface featuring lots of holes, cracks, and folds. These shapes create the imagery of natural landscapes, such as mountains or clouds. The surface of Taihu stone is usually rough. The colours show various shades of grey.
In Chinese culture, the stone is highly valued for its association with nature, balance and harmony. The "cloud-like" or "mountain-like" shapes are considered symbolic of the natural world, aligning with the Daoist principle of harmony between man and nature.
Cultural Significance of Taihu Stones
Taihu stones have been used in Chinese garden design for centuries, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These rocks are an essential element of the scholar’s garden - a classical Chinese garden style that emphasizes natural beauty, tranquility, and philosophical reflection.
Historically, larger Taihu stones were displayed in the gardens of wealthy scholars and officials as a symbol of status.
In gardens like Yu Garden, Taihu stones are strategically placed to represent miniature mountains which are an important component in the traditional Chinese garden. Their porous and unique shapes help to create an atmosphere of antiquity and elegance.
Jade Rock
Near the coordinates you will find Jade Rock, a 3.3m high Taihu Stone. It weighs about 5 tons. Jade Rock is one of the most famous features of Yu Garden and known for its unique shape and big size.
According to legend, Jade Rock was originally ordered by the Huizong Emperor and intended for the imperial palace in Bianjing. Bianjing is one of the eight ancient capitals of China. The story claims that the boat carrying Jade Rock sank. Later the rock was recovered and eventually made its way to Yu Garden in Shanghai.
Picture Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Garden#/media/File:%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E8%B1%AB%E5%9B%AD%E7%8E%89%E7%8E%B2%E7%8F%91-1.jpg
What is weathering?
Weathering is the process by which rocks, minerals, and soils are broken down into smaller particles through physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. This process occurs at or near the Earth's surface and plays a crucial role in the formation of soil and the alteration of landscapes over time. There are three main types of weathering:
1. Physical or Mechanical Weathering: This involves the physical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition. Common processes include freeze-unfreeze cycles, thermal expansion and abrasion from wind and water.
2. Chemical Weathering: Chemical weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down and altered through chemical reactions with environmental agents such as water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acids. This process changes the chemical composition and physical properties of the rocks, leading to their decomposition and contributing to soil formation and landscape evolution. Common processes include oxidation (reaction with oxygen), hydrolysis (reaction with water), and carbonation (reaction with carbonic acid). Chemical weathering can result in the formation of new minerals and the dissolution of existing ones.
3. Biological Weathering: This involves the actions of living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, contributing to the breakdown of rocks and minerals. For example, plant roots can penetrate rock cracks, and microorganisms can produce acids that chemically weather minerals.
豫園
豫園（Yuyuan Garden）是一座著名的中國古典園林，位於上海舊城區的中心。它建於 16 世紀明朝，由一位名叫潘雲端的政府官員建造，作為他年邁父親的休息場所。花園佔地兩公頃，擁有中國傳統建築、假山、亭台樓閣、池塘等特色。其最具標誌性的元素包括太湖石構成的岩層、蜿蜒的小徑和橋樑以及寧靜的水景，所有這些都旨在在有限的空間內展示自然景觀之美。花園的名字“Yu”，意思是“和平與舒適”，並描述了它的預期目的。豫園是繁忙市中心最寧靜的地方之一，也是上海頂級的旅遊目的地之一。
什麼是太湖石？
太湖石（Tàihú shí）是一種石灰石，以其不規則、多孔的形狀和中國傳統園林設計的美學情趣而聞名。它起源於江蘇省蘇州市附近的一個大型淡水湖太湖，這塊石頭也因此而得名。
太湖石是透過自然風化過程，特別是水的作用而形成的，這賦予了它們獨特的外觀。隨著時間的推移，水會溶解石灰岩的較軟部分，留下複雜的穿孔形狀，使這些岩石看起來如此特別。
這些石頭形狀不規則，通常具有複雜的風化表面，有許多孔洞、裂縫和褶皺。這些形狀創造了自然景觀的圖像，例如山脈或雲彩。太湖石的表面通常是粗糙的。顏色呈現出各種深淺的灰色。
在中國文化中，石頭因其與自然、平衡與和諧的聯繫而受到高度重視。 「雲狀」或「山狀」的形狀被認為是自然世界的象徵，符合道教天人合一的原則。
太湖石的文化意義
太湖石在中國庭園設計上的應用已有數百年歷史，尤其是在明清時期。這些岩石是文人庭園的重要元素－中國古典庭園風格強調自然美、寧靜和哲學思考。
歷史上，較大的太湖石被陳列在富有的學者和官員的花園中，作為地位的象徵。
在豫園等園林中，太湖石被巧妙地放置以代表微山，而微山是中國傳統園林的重要組成部分。其多孔且獨特的形狀有助於營造古老而優雅的氛圍。
玉岩
在座標附近你會發現玉岩，這是一塊高3.3m的太湖石。它重約5噸。玉石是豫園最著名的景觀之一，以其獨特的形狀和巨大的規模而聞名。
據傳，玉石原為徽宗皇帝下令，供汴京皇宮使用。汴京是中國八個古都之一。故事稱載有玉石的船沉沒了。後來這塊石頭被回收並最終運送到了上海豫園。
什麼是風化？
風化是岩石、礦物和土壤透過物理、化學和生物機制分解成更小的顆粒的過程。這個過程發生在地球表面或附近，並且在土壤的形成和地形隨時間的變化中發揮著至關重要的作用。風化作用主要有以下三種：
1. 物理或機械風化：這涉及岩石的物理分解而不改變其化學成分。常見的過程包括冷凍-解凍循環、熱膨脹以及風和水的磨損。
2. 化學風化：化學風化是岩石和礦物透過與水、氧氣、二氧化碳和酸等環境因素發生化學反應而分解和改變的過程。這個過程改變了岩石的化學成分和物理性質，導致岩石分解並促進土壤形成和景觀演化。常見的過程包括氧化（與氧反應）、水解（與水反應）和碳酸化（與碳酸反應）。化學風化會導致新礦物的形成和現有礦物的溶解。
3. 生物風化：這涉及生物體（例如植物、動物和微生物）的活動，導致岩石和礦物的分解。例如，植物根可以穿透岩石裂縫，微生物可以產生化學風化礦物質的酸。