“In the depths of the Magic City, there's a 600-year-old Jiangnan garden!” I walked across the Nine-Bend Bridge in Hanfu, as if traveling back to the old dreams of Old Shanghai.
In Shanghai, this international metropolis shimmering with neon lights,
there's a tranquil world of blue tiles, white walls, and upturned eaves—
It's not as modern as the Bund, nor as futuristic as Lujiazui,
yet with a tranquil pond and a garden of flowers,
it quietly tells the gentlest memories of Old Shanghai.
It is Yu Garden,
built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1559), with a history of over 460 years,
one of the five famous gardens in Jiangnan,
and even more, the "cultural origin" in the hearts of Shanghainese.
📍One-sentence recommendation:
When you come to Shanghai, don't just visit the Oriental Pearl Tower; step into Yu Garden to touch the city's original soul.
🕘 Opening Hours & Ticket Information
-⏰ Opening Hours:
08:45 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
-Recommended duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
-💵 Ticket Prices:
Adult ticket: ¥40
-Students/Seniors aged 60+: ¥20 (with valid ID)
Children under 1.2 meters are free
-📱 How to purchase tickets:
Search for the official WeChat account [Shanghai Yu Garden] → "Online Ticketing" → Real-name reservation
🔔Warm Reminder:
✅ Reservation required in advance! Crowd control during holidays
✅ The garden is not large but rich in details; it's recommended to take your time and observe carefully.
✅ During the Spring Festival Lantern Fair (first lunar month), a special ticket is required, and crowds are large, so please plan your visit to avoid peak times.
🚄 How to get there? Transportation Guide (Super convenient)
✅ Direct Subway (Recommended!)
-Take Metro Line 10 → Exit 1 at [Yuyuan Garden Station]
-A 2-minute walk to the entrance of the Nine-Bend Bridge, seamlessly connecting to the scenic area.
✅ Bus / Self-driving
🚌 Bus routes: Bus 930, 11, 64 to "Chenghuangmiao Station"
🚗 Self-driving navigation: "Yuyuan Tourist Mart Parking Lot"
-Parking fees are high (¥10–15/hour), public transportation is recommended.
💡 Tips:
You can combine [Chenghuangmiao Temple], [Shanghai Old Street], and [The Bund] to create a "Journey Through Ancient and Modern" Citywalk!
🌸 Best Season & Time to Visit
Season Features
🌸Spring (March–May) Peach blossoms and magnolias in full bloom, the garden is vibrant with spring
☀️ Summer (June–August) Dense shade, lotus flowers blooming in the pond, but more tourists
🍁 Autumn (September–November) Clear skies, soft light, golden period for photography
❄️ Winter (December–February) Dazzling Spring Festival Lantern Fair, full of festive cheer
🎯 Key Reminder:
Want to capture empty shots? Weekday mornings at 8:45 right after opening = the only quiet time!
-The atmosphere is amazing after the lights are on at night (especially during the Lantern Fair), suitable for couples' dates.
🗺️ Classic Tour Route (Essential Version | Approx. 2 hours)
🎒 Suggested Route: Enter via Nine-Bend Bridge → Sansui Hall → Wanhua Tower → Dianchun Hall → Huijing Tower → Exit to Old Street for food
1️⃣ Starting Point: Nine-Bend Bridge & Huxinting Teahouse (Must-visit!)
The Nine-Bend Bridge winds over the lotus pond, symbolizing "winding paths leading to secluded spots."
Huxinting Teahouse, built in the Qing Dynasty, is the oldest existing teahouse in Shanghai.
-Photo pose: Stand in the middle of the bridge and look back to capture the artistic conception of "people strolling through a painting."
📸Photo Tips: Shoot against the light in the early morning for stunning reflections on the water; wearing Hanfu makes for even better photos!
2️⃣ Core Attractions: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Tower, Dianchun Hall
Sansui Hall: The main hall of Yu Garden, with a plaque inscribed by a famous official of the Qing Dynasty.
Wanhua Tower: Famous for its exquisite wood carvings, with a century-old wisteria in its courtyard.
Dianchun Hall: Once the command center for the Small Swords Society uprising, possessing both historical and artistic value.
📷Cultural Highlights:
-Observe the "borrowed scenery" technique of Jiangnan gardens: window frames as paintings, a new view with every step.
-Look for stone carvings of poems and auspicious patterns hidden in the corners.
3️⃣ Grand Finale: Huijing Tower for panoramic views
Ascend the tower for a panoramic view of Yu Garden: pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and waterscapes all in sight.
-This is the best spot for panoramic photos.
📸 Top 5 Must-Take Photo Spots
Spot Photo Tips
Nine-Bend Bridge Panorama Use a wide-angle lens, with people walking in the center to emphasize depth.
Huxinting Teahouse Reflection Capture symmetrical compositions when the water is calm, like an ink wash painting.
Close-up of Flying Eaves and Dou Gong Shoot from a low angle to showcase the intricate details of ancient architecture.
Hanfu Lady Leaning on Rail Pair with a round fan or oil-paper umbrella to create a classical atmosphere.
Spring Festival Lantern Fair Night View Use "Night Mode" on your phone to capture the flowing colors of the lanterns.
👗 Outfit Suggestion: Wear plain Hanfu, Qipao, or New Chinese style attire to instantly transform into an "Old Shanghai Lady."
🍽️ Recommended Nearby Food (Must eat after visiting!)
Stepping out of Yu Garden, you're in Shanghai's most authentic snack paradise!
🔥Must-Eat List:
Food Recommended Shop Features
Nanxiang Xiaolongbao Nanxiang Mantou Dian (Main Store) Thin skin, rich juice, bursts with flavor in one bite.
Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes Xiandelai Crispy outside, tender inside, perfect with sweet bean paste.
Pear Paste Candy Old Chenghuangmiao Candy Store Traditionally made, soothes the throat and evokes nostalgia.
Qingtuan (Seasonal in Spring) Guihualou Fragrant mugwort, soft red bean paste.
Old Shanghai Coffee Centennial Tongchang West Shop Enjoy a retro latte in a century-old shop.
❗ Avoid Pitfalls (Personal experience)
❌ Don't buy souvenirs at the scenic area entrance! Prices are inflated, and quality is generally poor.
-✅ It's recommended to visit the garden first, then the shopping mall, to avoid crowds affecting your mood.
-✅ The Nine-Bend Bridge can get crowded; don't linger too long for photos.
✅ Eating, littering, and carving are prohibited in the garden; please visit civilly.
✅ During the Spring Festival Lantern Fair, it's extremely crowded; if you have children, please hold their hands tightly.
✅ A final heartfelt word:
We always say "Shanghai is very modern,"
but on a certain morning in Yu Garden,
as you walk across the Nine-Bend Bridge,
listening to the gentle chime of wind chimes,
watching the sunlight spill onto the carved window lattices,
at that moment, you suddenly understand—
the true warmth of the city,
is not found among the skyscrapers,
but in every brick and tile, every blade of grass and tree,
quietly growing,
is our never-fading Chinese heart.
Benjamin Hayes Benjamin99
Other visitors' reviews of Yu Garden
Show More ReviewsGood place to visit. Feeling like going back to past with their architecture building