Yu Garden (豫园 Yùyuán) – Shanghai's Ming Dynasty Garden

Yu Garden (豫园), located in the heart of Shanghai's Old Town, is the city's most celebrated classical Chinese garden. Built between 1559 and 1577 during the Ming Dynasty, it spans 2 hectares and features six scenic areas, 30 pavilions, 2,000 stone pieces, and over 40 scenic spots.

Highlights of Yu Garden

Grand Rockery (大假山) – A 12-meter artificial mountain built with 2,000 tonnes of Zhejiang rock, the largest such rockery in China south of the Yangtze River.
Hall of Heralding Spring (点春堂) – Historical hall where Small Sword Society rebels gathered in 1853.
Dragon Wall – The garden's iconic undulating walls topped with ceramic dragons that appear to protect the garden.
Exquisite Jade Rock (玉玲珑) – A prized Yuan Dynasty rock with 72 holes; when water is poured on top it flows from all holes simultaneously.
Nine-Turn Bridge (九曲桥) – The famous zigzag bridge crossing Lotus Pond at the garden entrance.

Yuyuan Old Street Bazaar

Surrounding the garden is the lively Yuyuan Tourist Mart, a recreated Ming-Qing style shopping district with hundreds of shops selling antiques, silk, jewelry, tea, handicrafts, and Shanghai snacks. Try the famous xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant.

Opening Hours & Tickets

Daily 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Adult ticket: CNY 40 (peak season CNY 30 off-peak)
Metro: Line 10, Yuyuan Garden Station (豫园站)

Book a Yu Garden Day Tour

Shanghai Airport Transfer includes Yu Garden in most of our Shanghai city tour packages with private car and English-speaking guide. View Shanghai day tours →