Yu Garden (Yuyuan) is a 400-year-old classical Chinese garden in Shanghai’s Huangpu District, built during the Ming Dynasty by official Pan Yunduan as a retirement retreat for his parents. Renowned for its exquisite layout and tranquil beauty, it showcases traditional Chinese garden artistry with pavilions, rockeries, and ponds. Once a private family sanctuary, it’s now a celebrated historical landmark blending architectural elegance with natural harmony. As one of Shanghai’s top attractions, it offers a serene escape from the modern city.
Yu Garden Facts
- Location: No. 137, Anren Street, Huangpu District, very close to the Old City God Temple
- Area: 20,000 square meters (about five acres)
- Age: more than 400 years
- Highlights: exquisite classical gardening art, rockeries and carvings, Yuyuan Bazaar
- Popular activities: photograph ancient architecture, explore Yuyuan Bazaar
- Best Seasons for Visit: spring and autumn
- Suited to: anyone
- Tickets: CNY 40. Get Tickets Now
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Yuyuan Garden Characteristics
This Ming Dynasty classical garden exemplifies Jiangnan-style landscaping with ingenious techniques: “borrowed scenery” (jie jing), “leak-view windows” (lou jing), and “framed vistas” (kuang jing). Its elongated, knife-shaped layout (100m×230m) follows traditional “north-mountain, south-water” principles, creating a rhythmic journey of “expansion and contraction” through winding paths, artificial hills, and partitioned courtyards.
Architecturally, halls with “Xieshan” or “Yingshan” roofs dominate, while 19th-century Western influences introduced “Haipai” (Shanghai-style) elements: softened curves in pathways and functional-decorative details like the “Plum Wife & Crane Son” wall carving. The garden masterfully balances concealment with revelation, offering “scenery that transforms with every step.”
What to See in Yu Garden
Yu Garden, a Ming Dynasty gem, features six scenic areas ranging from Sansui Hall to the Inner Garden, with classical pavilions, ornamental rockeries, and tranquil ponds. This compact garden showcases exquisite Chinese landscaping, intricate carvings, and the adjacent lively Yuyuan Bazaar – a perfect blend of architecture and nature in Shanghai’s heart.
Great Rockery
The Great Rockery, the first sight in Yu Garden, stands 14 meters tall as the largest and oldest in southern China. Built with thousands of tons of yellow stones from Zhejiang, it was designed by famous Ming Dynasty rockery master Zhang Nanyang – his only surviving work. Climb to the top for a wonderful garden view.
Cuixiu Hall
Built in 1760, Cuixiu Hall nestles quietly at the base of the Great Rockery, surrounded by ancient trees and lovely flowers. This peaceful hall offers perfect views of the rockery through its windows. Today, visitors can browse small curio shops inside while enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Exquisite Jade Rock
The Exquisite Jade Rock is Yuyuan Garden’s most prized treasure, standing 3.3 meters tall with 72 holes. This amazing 5-ton rock creates magical sights – smoke from below floats out all holes, and water poured on top streams through each opening. The facing Yuhua Hall, with its fine Ming Dynasty rosewood furniture, was built specially for viewing this wonder. As one of south China’s three most famous rocks, its unique spiky shape draws visitors worldwide.
Sansui Hall
Sansui Hall, built in 1760, is one of Yu Garden’s main structures standing 9 meters tall. Originally for hosting guests, it later became a meeting place for scholars and officials during the Qing Dynasty. The hall’s name comes from ancient texts meaning ‘propitious’ and ‘lucky’. With five spacious rooms, it was used for both celebrations and official gatherings.
Wanhua Chamber
Wanhua Chamber is a beautiful building surrounded by winding walkways with bamboo plantings. Its four corners feature special windows decorated with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum designs. Outside stands a 21-meter-tall gingko tree, believed to be planted by the garden’s owner 400 years ago. The area also includes artificial rock formations and white walls decorated with stone peaks.
What to Do in Yu Garden Area
Yu Garden Shopping
Yuyuan Bazaar is a lively shopping area next to Yu Garden, filled with traditional Chinese-style buildings that make it look like an old town. Here you can find all kinds of Chinese souvenirs like silk, lanterns, crafts and jewelry, plus many tasty street foods including Nanxiang Steamed Buns and fried cakes. The maze of small streets has tea houses, restaurants and shops where bargaining is expected. What makes it special isn’t just the shopping – it’s the unique atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time to old Shanghai.
Try Chinese Tea At the Huxinting Teahouse
In the middle of Yu Garden, you’ll find the famous Huxinting Teahouse, reached by crossing the special Nine-Turn Bridge. This old teahouse sits over a peaceful pond and lets visitors enjoy different Chinese teas while looking at the beautiful garden. Built in traditional style with lovely wood carvings inside, it’s a quiet place to rest from busy Shanghai. The teahouse has been serving tea for hundreds of years and is one of the city’s most loved spots.
Appreciating the Night View on the Nine Bend Bridge
The Nine Turn Bridge, located just outside Yu Garden’s paid area, winds beautifully over a pond decorated with Chinese lanterns. At night, colorful lights make it especially pretty, while during Chinese New Year lantern displays add extra charm. Visitors enjoy lovely views of the water, greenery and pavilions from this scenic spot.
How to get to Yu Garden Shanghai
By Metro (Fastest & Recommended)
The most convenient way to reach Yu Garden is by taking Metro Line 10 or 14 and getting off at Yuyuan Station (Exit 1 or 3 leads directly to the garden).
By Bus
Bus 64, 736, 805, 920, 911, 930 → Stop at Xinbeimen Station (5-min walk via Anren Street).
Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 1, or 3 to get there.
Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Price
Yu Garden Ticket Booking| Entrance Fee | Apr. – Jun. & Sep. – Nov.: CNY 40 Jul. & Aug. & Dec. – Mar.: CNY 30 Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or no more than 6 years old. Half price for seniors over 60. |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 – 16:30 (Ticketing stops at 16:00.) Closed on Monday, except national holidays. |
Comparison with Classical Suzhou Gardens
While Yu Garden shares similar beauty with Suzhou’s famous gardens, Suzhou’s gardens are considered the best examples of Jiangnan-style gardens and are protected by UNESCO. Suzhou has more variety if you love garden art, but Yu Garden still gives visitors a wonderful introduction to Chinese garden culture with its lovely pavilions, rocks and ponds. Both show the skill of traditional Chinese garden design, just on different scales.
FAQ About Yuyuan Garden
Yu Garden operates from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), while the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar remains open for shopping and dining until 10:00 PM.
Yes, same-day tickets are available at the garden’s ticket office. However, there may be no ticket left during peak seasons/holidays, online booking (via WeChat or travel platforms).
Take Exit 1 or 3 from Yuyuan Station (Line 14) – both lead directly to the garden’s entrance (3-min walk). Follow signs for “豫园/Yu Garden”.