Yu Garden - Classical Shanghai City Gardens
Last Update: 8th October 2020
Originally built between 1563 and 1620, it was a private garden first. It was opened to the public in 1961. The buildings in the garden feature the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1912) style. The garden offers more than 40 old buildings to explore.
Yu Garden Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Yuyuan (豫园)
- Area: Over 2 x Hectares
- Things to do there: Photography, Architecture, Chinese History and Culture
- Who visits: Photographers, Architects, Chinese History and Culture Lovers
- Time required: 3 – 4 x Hours

Interested in visiting the Yu Garden during a Shanghai Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours in Yu Garden, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Yu Garden
Located near the Old Chenghuang Temple in the southwest, Yu Garden is divided into 6 main scenic areas – Sansuitang Scenic Area, Wanhualou Scenic Area, Dianchuntang Scenic Area, Huijinglou Scenic Area, Yuhuatang Scenic Area and Inner Garden.
At Sansuitang Scenic Area, you can explore Cuixiu Hall built in 1760, the Iron Lion created in 1920, and Sansui Hall – the main building at the area with a height of 9 meters. In the Qing Dynasty, the Literati always held events at Sansui Hall.
At Wanhualou Scenic Area, you will find a 21-meter-tall ginkgo tree older than 400 years. Wanhua Building and an old corridor with ornamental perforated window in different shapes.
At Dianchuntang Scenic Area, you can appreciate the old set of furniture made of the root of banyan tree, the old stage close to a hill and the waters, the weapons used by the soldiers during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851-1864) , the self-casting coins,and the publications and other cultural relics during the period of time at Dianchun Hall built in the early period of Daoguang Period (1821 – 1850).
In addition, there are many other old buildings, old trees and flowers for you to admire.
Best time to visit the Yu Garden
The best time to visit Yu Garden is in the morning during its opening hours as it always takes around 3 hours to explore the whole center.
The best months to visit are from March to November.
How to get to the Yu Garden
There are several buses passing by Yu Garden. Therefore, there are several options.
- Rent a vehicle to the center. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 11, 26, 64, 71, 145, 581, 715, 730, 736, 801, 926, 929, 932, 969 and Bus 980 to the Stop of Yu Garden (豫园站).
- Take Metro Line 10 to the Stop of Yu Garden (豫园站).
Additional Yu Garden Travel Advice
- Opening hours: 08:45 – 16:45
- As at 8th October 2020, from April 1 to June 30 and from September 1 to November 30, the entrance pricing is 40 CNY per person and the elder above 60 years old (60 years old included)a are charged 20 CNY per person; from July 1 to August 31 and from December 1 to March 31, the entrance pricing is 30 CNY per person and the elder above 60 years old (60 years old included)a are charged 15 CNY per person. Children under 1.3m tall (1.3m tall not included) are free of charge. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please keep quiet at the garden.
- Please don’t write down anything on any cultural relics.
Interested in visiting the Yu Garden on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours in Yu Garden, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.