Yu Garden in Shanghai

Why is the Yu Garden in Shanghai so Special?

Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden is an extensive Chinese garden. A centerpiece is the Exquisite Jade Rock (玉玲珑) a porous 3.3-m, 5-ton boulder. Rumors about its origin include the story that it was meant for the Huizong Emperor at the imperial palace in Beijing, but was salvaged from the Huangpu River after the boat carrying it had sunk.

Where is the Yu Garden in Shanghai? 

Yu Garden is located in the northeast of Laochengxiang, Huangpu District, Shanghai. It is located beside the City God Temple.

How to Get There?

• Take bus 11, 26, 64, 304, 805, 920, 926, or 930 and get off at Xinbeimen Station, and then walk along Anren Street to reach the garden.
• Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 1, 3 or 5 to get there.
• Take Metro Line 10 and get off at Yuyuan Station. Leave from Exit 1.

What to See in Yu Garden

Yu Garden is composed of six scenic areas: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall, and the Inner Garden.

Sansui Hall

Sansui Hall was originally used to entertain guests. Later it became the place where gentlemen and booksellers held ceremonies. It is 9 meters (about 30 feet) high and has five halls. It is the most spacious building in the garden. Sansui originated from the history of the later Han Dynasty, which means "auspicious" and "auspicious".

Wanhua Chamber

Wanhua Chamber is a delicate building surrounded by many corridors. There are spring bamboos beside the corridor. There are two old trees in front of Wanhua Chamber. One is a ginkgo tree 21 meters (about 70 feet) high. The tree is said to be the owner of Yu Garden 400 years ago.

Dianchun Hall

Located in the northeast of Yu Garden, it includes Treasury Hall which is the most famous historical building in the garden, Kuailou Hall, and the Hall of Harmony.

Huijing Hall 

It includes Jade Water Corridor, Three-Turn Bridge, Nine Lion Study.

Yuhua Hall

Don’t miss the essence - Yu Linglong (Exquisite Jade Rock) with the most celebrated stone sculpture in the garden.

Inner Garden

The quietest part of Yu Garden. After visiting Yuhua Hall, you’ll enter into Inner Garden which was constructed in 1709 and made of a part of Yu Yuan only in 1956. It includes the Hall of Serenity, the Towers for Watching Waves, and the Acting and Singing Stage.

Yuyuan Bazaar

Yuyuan Bazaar is right next to Yu Garden. It has a great number of small streets and lanes where you can find many restaurants, tea houses, and shops. It is a good place to sample some local snacks and buy some souvenirs.

Useful Travel Tips

• Entrance Fee: Apr. - Jun. & Sep. - Nov.: CNY 40; Jul. & Aug. & Dec. - Mar.: CNY 30; Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft).
• Opening Hours: 8:45 - 16:15

Nearby Attraction in Shanghai

• China Art Museum in Shanghai
• Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom
• Shanghai Natural History Museum
• Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence

Edited by Olive Zhang/张银芳