Yu Garden
Yu Garden — a Ming Dynasty oasis in the heart of old Shanghai
Highlights — Why we like Yu Garden
Intro
Yu Garden (Yuyuan) is a classical Chinese garden built between 1559 and 1577 during the Ming Dynasty. Hidden within the labyrinthine lanes of Shanghai's Old City, the 2-hectare garden is a masterpiece of traditional garden design — ornate pavilions, dragon-topped walls, rock mountains, ponds, and winding covered galleries that create a complex sequence of intimate spaces. The surrounding Yuyuan Bazaar is a lively commercial district of traditional architecture, teahouses, and street food.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for fewest crowds.
Getting There
Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden station. The bazaar and garden are in the Old City district of Huangpu.
Tickets & Entry
- Typical visit
2-3 hours
Local Tips
Buy garden tickets in advance — queues at the gate can be long. The garden itself is small and can be explored in 1 hour; the surrounding bazaar and Old City lanes deserve a further 1-2 hours. The Huxinting Teahouse in the middle of the bazaar lake is tourist-facing but atmospheric.
More in Shanghai
The Bund
Shanghai's most iconic promenade — colonial grandeur facing a futuristic skyline across the Huangpu River
French Concession
Tree-lined streets, Art Deco villas, and the best cafés in China — Shanghai's most liveable neighbourhood
Pudong Skyline & Shanghai Tower
Pudong's futuristic skyline — Shanghai Tower and the world's most dramatic riverfront
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