Opening hours
09:00-16:30
Stop access at 16:00
Closed on Monday
Ticket prices
CNY40: April/May, September to November
CNY30: December to March, July/August
Ticketing on site is available
Located in the heart of Shanghai’s historic Old City, Yu Garden (豫园, Yùyuán) is one of the finest surviving examples of classical Chinese garden design in eastern China. Originally constructed in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by a government official named Pan Yunduan, the garden was created as a tranquil retreat for his family. Its name, “Yu,” means “pleasing” or “comforting,” reflecting the Confucian ideal of harmony between nature and human life.
Covering approximately 20,000 square meters, Yu Garden is a masterclass in traditional landscape architecture. Within its walls, visitors encounter intricately designed pavilions, arched stone bridges, koi-filled ponds, and elaborate rockeries constructed from porous limestone. The garden is divided into several scenic sections, each unfolding like a sequence of living paintings. Decorative elements such as dragon-adorned walls and lattice windows frame carefully composed views, embodying the aesthetic principles of balance, concealment, and revelation central to Chinese garden art.
Despite damage and restoration over centuries, Yu Garden remains remarkably authentic in atmosphere. Today, it stands not only as a peaceful oasis amid Shanghai’s modern skyline, but also as a cultural monument that encapsulates Ming-era artistry, philosophy, and craftsmanship. Adjacent to the lively Yuyuan Bazaar, the garden offers visitors a compelling contrast between serene classical beauty and the vibrant energy of contemporary Shanghai.
CNY450
Bus tour: Shanghai old town, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao water town and the Bund night view
Best things to do in Shanghai in one day