Yu Garden

I visited Yu Garden in Huangpu and it easily lives up to the hype. Picture classical Ming style in the middle of the city, koi ponds under carved pavilions, rockeries that twist into little caves, and the famous zigzag bridge leading toward the Huxinting teahouse. It is busy, yet the layout gives you plenty of corners to slow down for photos and a few quiet minutes. Timing makes a difference. Early on a weekday is calm and the light is soft for photos. Late afternoon is also lovely, since the surrounding bazaar starts to glow and you can wander straight out for snacks and souvenirs without losing that old Shanghai atmosphere. If you visit around Lunar New Year, the annual Yuyuan Lantern Festival usually runs from early January into mid February and the area turns into a glowing maze of themed lanterns. It gets crowded, but the spectacle is worth it.  Practical notes. The garden keeps typical hours around 9:00 to 16:30 with last entry about 16:00, and tickets are seasonally priced, usually in the 30 to 40 RMB range. You can buy on site or online, and an hour or two is enough for an unhurried loop if you are not rushing.  Getting there is simple by metro. Yuyuan Garden station sits a short walk away and connects to Lines 10 and 14, which makes this an easy stop to pair with the Bund or People’s Square in the same day. Right outside the garden you will find the Yuyuan Bazaar, a warren of traditional style storefronts that sell snacks, tea, trinkets, and a few touristy bits, fun for a short browse after your visit.  Overall, Yu Garden is a classic for good reason. It gives you a compact crash course in Jiangnan garden design, plenty of photo friendly moments, and a smooth link to the food and shopping right outside, all without needing to leave central Shanghai.

What an incredible place! It is a perfect example of classic Chinese architecture from the Ming Dynasty, serving as an oasis of tranquility amidst the city's hustle. An important note: the classic garden itself (Yu Garden) closes before dusk and has a paid entrance. The surrounding area, the Yuyuan Bazaar, is what becomes incredibly illuminated and, in my opinion, even more beautiful at night. Access to the bazaar is free and the view is magical.

Beautiful classical Chinese garden in the middle of the city. Peaceful paths, ponds, bridges and stunning architecture. A must-see to understand old Shanghai’s charm. Go early to avoid crowds.

Yu Garden is a magnificent Ming Dynasty oasis in Shanghai — an absolute essential for first-time visitors!! Inside, the classical Chinese architecture, meticulous rockeries, and the famous Nine-Turn Bridge offer a serene escape from Shanghai's modern pace, a must walk through for blissful life journey. The 'Yu' (Peace) in its name is well-earned. However, the immediate surrounding area, the Yuyuan Bazaar, is where the real commercial energy is. It is packed, but you must stop for local snacks like authentic Xiaolongbao. It’s a wonderful cultural contrast: 400 years of tranquility framed by pure, bustling Old Shanghai commerce.

Absolutely amazing place, worth the visit for all nature and scenic lovers, it's in the heart of Shanghai near the yuyuan bazar and a must for people visiting Shanghai, it's better to be early as it's less rush we went in October mid but the temperature was still a bit warm but manageable, tickets can be bought at the garden itself for 30-40 rmb depending on the season, for kids below 120 cm it's free entry. You can buy some souvenirs in the premises if you want and come out to the bazar and enjoy some great food.

This garden is an absolute must-see. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a late afternoon — which is exactly what was recommended to us. Although it can get a bit busy around that time, the soft, golden light gives the whole area a magical atmosphere. I suggest arriving around 2 p.m. and staying until closing. By the time you leave, if it’s after dark, you’ll step out into the surrounding area, which is also beautifully illuminated and well worth exploring.

Yu Garden, Shanghai is a 400-year old garden built during the Ming Dynasty as a private garden. The garden has very intricate design structures, with traditional buildings, bridges, ponds and pavilions and the most beautiful Dragan wall. There are many scenic areas and each one is a big photo opportunity. The famous Yuyuan Bazaar is located right next to Yu Garden. The Chinese architecture and design of the Bazaar is very beautiful. There are a lot of shops in the Bazaar selling jewelry, souvenirs, and local food items. Minimum three hours is needed to visit the Yu Garden. It's a must visit place in Shanghai.

A stunning garden in the center of Shanghai, where you can lose yourself in the beautiful buildings reconstructed in an ancient style. There's a wonderful perspective between the old buildings and the ultramodern skyscrapers that surround the garden. I always recommend a guide to point out any hidden gems in the garden.