Shanghai Yu Garden: What to See & Best Time to Visit

Yu Garden is one of the most popular places in Shanghai. It's not only a tourist attraction but also a witness to history, bearing testament to Shanghai's historical transformations and carrying the rich heritage of Chinese traditional culture.

You may be curious about what to see in this garden and the ideal times to visit. By reading this article, you'll discover all the answers.

Basic Information

Yu Garden, Shanghai

• Location: Huangpu District, Shanghai, China. About 20 minutes walking from the Bund.
• History: It has more than 400 years history and was built in the Ming Dynasty.
• Operating Hours: 9 AM to 4:30 PM (close on each Monday)
• Entrance Fee:

- From April to June & September to November: 40 RMB per pax (about 5.7 USD)
- From July to August & December to March: 30 RMB per pax (about 4.3 USD)
- Half-price admission for seniors over 60. Free entry for children under 6 years old or those under 1.3 meters in height.

Yu Garden was originally a private garden built during the Ming Dynasty by its owner, Pan Yunduan, after over 20 years of dedicated effort. It embodies the artistic characteristics of gardens in Jiangnan area (the region south of the Yangtze River).

Within the garden lie rocks with different shapes, as well as numerous ancient trees, renowned wood specimens, and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture. Together, these elements capture the essence of China's rich traditional cultural and artistic heritage.

What to See in Yu Garden

1. Pavilions and Halls

There are many halls, towers and pavilions in Yu Garden. These buildings and structures reflect traditional Chinese aesthetics, making Yu Garden an immersive experience in classical Chinese architecture and landscaping. Here are some of the must-see buildings in Yu Garden:

Sansui Hall

The plaques in Sansui Hall

• Chinese: 三穗堂

It's the largest hall in Yu Garden. Also, it's the first hall you walk to when you enter the site from the south gate. Sansui Hall was built for entertaining guests with a high ceiling and remarkable Chinese wood construction and detailing.

Wanhua Chamber

The furniture of Wanhua Chamber

• Chinese: 万花楼

This building has a romantic name, meaning "Chamber of Ten Thousand Flowers." Because it's filled with floral motifs to harmonize with the surrounding garden. Here, you can enjoy the view of the garden from a higher perspective.

Yuhua Hall

Classic buildings in Yu Garden

• Chinese: 玉华堂

This hall is located near the famous Jade Rock. It has a classic wooden structure and lattice windows. The owner of this garden used to live in Yuhua hall.

2. Bridges and Pools

A bridge and pavilion in Yu Garden

As a typical Jiangnan garden, Yu Garden features many small lakes, which has led to the construction of numerous bridges, both long and short. These stone bridges add to the sense of tranquility and help create a sense of space and depth, inviting you to enjoy different views as you wander. One of the most classic photo opportunities is feeding the fish from the bridge, allowing you to capture yourself, the pond, and the background buildings all in one shot.

3. Stones and Carvings

Exquisite Jade Rock

Exquisite Jade Rock, or Yu Ling Long, is one of the most famous features in Yu Garden. This 3.3-meter-high rock is filled with numerous irregular holes, giving it a unique appearance. Together with the surrounding strange rocks, it creates a striking and distinctive landscape.

Stone dragon sculpture on the top of a building

Another distinctive feature of this garden is the stone carvings on the rooftops. They come in various shapes, such as Chinese dragons, red-crowned cranes, and human figures.

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Best Time to Visit

People feed fish in Yu Garden

Yu Garden is a wonderful place to visit year-round. But for the best experience, consider visiting in late spring (April to May) or autumn (September to November) when the scenery is at its finest. In late spring, the garden is filled with vigor as the trees grow and flowers bloom. With mild weather, the view is at its most. In autumn, the temperature drops and the foliage in Yu Garden turns red, enhancing the garden's classic Jiangnan scenery.

Winter, especially from late December to early February, is also a great time to visit Yu Garden. During this season, the Yu Garden Bazaar outside the garden hosts a lantern festival, with various types of Chinese lanterns hanging everywhere. It feels incredibly romantic, as if you've stepped into a magical fairy tale world.

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Nearby Attractions

It only takes about two hours to explore Yu Garden, so we recommend spending some time in the surrounding area as well. There are many nearby attractions worth visiting, such as the City God Temple and the Yu Garden Bazaar.

City God Temple

City God Temple

The City God Temple, also called Chenghuang Temple, is a Taoist temple in Shanghai. It's dedicated to the City God, a protective deity believed to protect Shanghai and local people. Visitors and locals come here to pray for good fortune and health.

Yuyuan Market (Yuyuan Bazaar)

Yuyuan Market

Right next to Yu Garden and the City God Temple sits the Yuyuan Market. Here, you will find traditional handicraft shops and vendors selling Shanghai snacks. Among them, the snacks in Shen Dacheng (Chinese: 沈大成) are worth trying, such as Tiaotougao, a kind of sticky rice cake bar with sweet red bean filling. It's best enjoyed while hot, as it's at its softest and most fragrant.

Wearing traditional Chinese clothing while exploring Yu Garden and the market is a wonderful experience, as if traveling back to the Ming Dynasty in a time machine. If you're interested, we can arrange a Chinese clothing experience for you. You can choose your favorite Chinese-style outfit, including makeup and hairstyling to match.

Plan Your Shanghai Tour With Us

Beyond Yu Garden, Shanghai has many other places waiting for you to explore. Our experts can design an itinerary featuring Shanghai's classic attractions, helping you plan a hassle-free vacation in the city. Contact us at trip@odynovotours.com to receive your personalized tour quote.