Yu Garden

I heard that I haven't been here for a long time, but I finally made up for it this time. It was a bit beyond my expectations. The design of this private courtyard is very unique. There are more than 40 rooms in total, as well as rockery, trees, flowers and plants, all arranged in an orderly manner. If you look closely at each building, there are unexpected surprises. It has attracted a lot of Chinese and foreign tourists to visit, and they are all full of praise.



When I think about how other people can live in such a big yard, I should work harder to make more money.

Yu Garden is not crowded, and I stroll through the rain. Once the private garden of Ming Dynasty officials, its pavilions, terraces, and towers, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, embody the unique elegance and refinement of the Jiangnan water towns. Winding paths lead to secluded retreats, and every step offers a changing scene. Every blade of grass, tree, mountain, and pond is meticulously designed, perfectly placed. A rare quaint spot amidst the bustling city.

2019.02.09

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Visiting the temple fair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Yu Garden was packed! A few days into the Spring Festival, we finally encountered a sea of people. It was practically impossible to move. Security was busy coordinating and directing people, and everyone, once orderly, suddenly became uneasy and overcrowded. The Nine-Curve Bridge has two separate paths for approaching and exiting. We wandered through the path for 20 minutes, zigzagging along the narrow City God Temple trail. Finally, we couldn't stand it anymore and found an exit. Standing sideways, you can see the entire Nine-Curve Bridge clearly, while those on the bridge can't see it all. The surrounding lights are unremarkable, mostly made of paper. Fortunately, we left early.

I recommend buying tickets directly on-site for those visiting Yu Garden. An hour and a half is more than enough time. Upon entering, I was captivated by the ancient charm and tranquility of Suzhou-style gardens. Despite the bustle of tourists, the gardens exude a profound charm. After a stroll, I felt like a Suzhou woman at heart. I truly love this idyllic paradise. I finally understand why the ancients were so creative in their poetry and prose. Being immersed in such an environment makes even someone with limited literary talent like me want to compose poetry. The setting is tranquil, the scenery is delightful, birdsong and flowers bloom, and the plants are often one or two hundred years old and remarkably well-preserved. In period films, concubines accompany the emperor on a day trip through the gardens. At the time, from a modern perspective, I wondered what the point of such a garden was. It wasn't until I experienced it myself that I truly understood the pleasure of visiting a garden. I envy the garden's original owners, who were able to study and live in such an environment. I truly wish I could spend a few days in one of these gardens.

Yu Garden was built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. Its original owner was Pan Yunduan, then the Sichuan Provincial Governor. Designed and constructed by renowned Ming Dynasty garden architect Zhang Nanyang, it is known as the "Crown of Southeastern Gardens." It is a rare historical site in Shanghai.

My favorite celebrity was once asked in an interview what her favorite places in Shanghai were. She answered Tianzifang and Yu Garden. If I were to visit Shanghai again, I wouldn't want to miss these two attractions.

Yu Garden is truly as she described, a place at one with nature. The lush greenery of the gardens complements the exquisitely shaped buildings, showcasing the exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens. In the Nine Lions Pavilion within the garden, I encountered a sleeping kitten that refused to wake even when I petted its head. It was truly adorable. I wonder if she encountered this little creature during her visit to Yu Garden, and whether, as a lifelong animal lover, she played with it as I did.

To avoid the peak tourist season, I bought my ticket for Yu Garden right after it opened, which cost 40 yuan. Incidentally, before arriving in Shanghai, I saw an online notice that the garden would be closed for environmental renovations the day after I arrived. I had to congratulate myself on my good luck. To my surprise, there were already quite a few tour groups entering the park at that time, and they were mostly international, from South Korea, Japan, Europe, and the US. I didn't seem to see any domestic groups at all.

After a day of exploring the World Expo, everyone was hungry and looking for a place to eat. I knew this place was unique, so I took a taxi there. It was quite lively that night, packed with people... I'd been standing all day, and when I got there, I was still standing. The architecture had a bit of a Chinatown vibe, a blend of modern and classic. The thing I saw most was the xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings). Anyway, after a quick walk around, I couldn't eat anything, so I headed back to the hotel.

Shanghai, abbreviated as "Hu" or "Shen," is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River and is the leading city in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It faces Japan's Kyushu Island across the East China Sea, borders Hangzhou Bay to the south, and borders Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to the north and west. The point where a river flows into the sea is called "Du," so the lower reaches of the Songjiang River were called "Hu Du," which was later changed to "Hu," hence the abbreviation "Hu."

Yu Garden has beautiful scenery and unique design style, and everyone who comes here praises it! People take photos here as souvenirs.

A must-visit place for people who come to Shanghai. It is always full of customers all year round.

If Suzhou gardens are like fresh, elegant little beauties, then Shanghai's Yu Garden is like the elegant ladies or graceful noblewomen.

Yu Garden was originally a private garden in the Ming Dynasty. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years as of 2015.

Entering the commercial district of Yuyuan, there are many gold shops, etc.

A typical Jiangnan garden, but there are too many tourists visiting. Also, the park management is too poor. You have to go to the window to get a paper ticket after buying an electronic ticket. Isn't this sick?

Yu Garden was built in the Ming Dynasty as a private garden.

There are many snacks inside

The City God Temple is also worth a visit

Yu Garden, located near the City God Temple, is a private garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It houses Dianchun Hall, the headquarters of the 1853 Small Knife Society uprising, and Yulinglong, one of the three famous Jiangnan stones.

There are many famous restaurants near Chenghuang Temple, including Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop, which is famous for its xiaolongbao (small dumplings), Green Wave Restaurant, and Shanghai Old Restaurant.

Yu Garden is very lively and has many snacks. It is a must-visit when visiting Shanghai!

City God Temple was our first stop in Shanghai. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we skipped the evening lantern display and instead went to the Shanghai Tower for a night view. This area doesn't require a ticket if you enter before 2:00 PM, but after that, you'll need one. We originally planned to go to Green Wave Gallery for lunch, but they were so busy they couldn't issue tickets, so we went to Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop instead. After lunch and drinks, we walked across the Nine-Curve Bridge and headed to Yu Garden. Initially, we thought Yu Garden was optional, but once we got there, we realized it was worth the trip! Compared to the grandiose architecture of northern China, Yu Garden is exceptionally refined, with small bridges, flowing water, and winding paths leading to secluded areas.

A quiet place in the City God Temple, with a typical Jiangnan water town garden style. The tour lasted more than an hour and was generally okay.

Before arriving in Shanghai, the weather forecast predicted cold temperatures and rain, but unexpectedly, the next day, we arrived in Shanghai and it was sunny. Strolling through Yu Garden under the blue sky and white clouds couldn't be more delightful. Yu Garden isn't large, but it's incredibly beautiful. In the spring, the various plum blossoms in bloom are truly elegant.

The crowds and scenery depend on the time you go! Normally the night view is better at night!

Yu Garden was originally a private garden in the Ming Dynasty. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years as of 2015. The night view of Yu Garden is good, with many tourists and bustling. In the entire Shanghai architecture, there are few Chinese-style buildings. Yu Garden is a relatively representative Jiangnan garden.

Yu Garden is not big, it can be said to be small and exquisite, with a history of more than 400 years. The owner of the garden was originally a provincial governor. There is a small museum in the garden that introduces the history of Yu Garden.

Yu Garden is truly exquisite. I recommend finding a good guide to explain it thoroughly. It's a place steeped in history and legend. For me, it's filled with mystery. Strolling through the lush green hills and waters of Yu Garden in winter, I wondered at what moment, opportunity, or door I'd entered into a trance of a different past life... It was inexplicably moving... Yu Garden, located in the northeastern part of Shanghai's Old Town, adjacent to the Shanghai Old City God Temple, is a classical Jiangnan garden. Built by Pan Yunduan, the Sichuan Provincial Governor during the Jiajing and Wanli reigns of the Ming Dynasty, it boasts a history of over 400 years and spans over 30 acres. Within the garden are Yu Linglong, one of the three famous Jiangnan stones, and Dianchun Hall, the headquarters of the 1853 Small Knife Society uprising.

Entering Yu Garden, I felt like entering the Grand View Garden. But I wasn't struck by the splendor, but rather by the "flavor" of the New Year, the historical flavor of the New Year. In fact, for so many places in Shanghai, it's the sense of history that truly captivates me.

The moment I entered, I felt like I was in heaven! What was all that hustle and bustle outside doing? I almost grabbed my wife and ran away, but thankfully, there were only a few people inside, and half of them were foreigners. The carvings on the various ridges in the garden were amazing: dragons, phoenixes, people, horses, generals, small boats, and so on, all exquisitely depicted. The only thing I didn't understand was the moon gate in the middle, nestled in an alleyway, with no view of the scenery to either side... Shouldn't a moon gate be a direct view? As we walked, I reminisced with my wife about the blissful life of the Sichuan governor and his wives back in the day. What a treat!

I walked to a cluster of ancient buildings and wondered if this was the City God Temple. After all, the navigation said we were almost there... But... After walking through a narrow alley, I saw a plaque for Yu Garden and saw a group of people taking photos. To the right of the alley was Yu Garden (taro balls? That name really makes a foodie like me feel overwhelmed), and to the left was an old neighborhood slated for demolition. The contrast was quite stark!

It's just an ordinary garden, nothing special to see.

When I revisited the old place, there were so many people here, so many!

This Ming Dynasty private garden, known as the "urban forest" and "the most beautiful in the southeast," is a jewel among Jiangnan gardens. Regarded as one of Shanghai's five great classical gardens, it boasts plaques and inscriptions by renowned artists, as well as iconic attractions such as Dianchun Hall, Yuhua Hall, Wanhua Tower, and Hexu Hall.

You can buy student tickets to Yu Garden. There are many foreigners and they all follow the tour guide. The beautiful and elegant Jiangnan garden looks small, but it is actually winding and every angle has a different view. It is completely different from the solemnity of the royal garden. I like the touch of green in the garden.

Yu Garden is really worth a visit. There are mountains beyond mountains and gardens beyond gardens. Pan Yunduan certainly would not have thought that his garden would be visited by so many foreigners in the future.

The courtyards and pavilions of Yu Garden are really perfect. Even in winter, the scenery inside is full of vitality.

The architectural style of Yu Garden is very representative of Jiangnan gardens, but entering the garden is quite troublesome. I wandered around the City God Temple tourist area for a long time before I found the entrance to the scenic area.

The ancient pines in the garden allow us to feel the history of Yu Garden

The lights in the garden are antique-style

The spirit beasts on the eaves are very complex, but we can see the builder's good wishes to turn misfortune into good fortune.

Walking into Yu Garden, I was greeted by a new scene with every step, pavilions, terraces, and towers arranged in an orderly fashion. It felt much larger than I had imagined. I wandered around, sometimes not knowing where I was.

The entire Yu Garden area often has activities during holidays

It's just average, not as good as the Chenghuang Temple nearby.

A very distinctive Jiangnan garden, close to the City God Temple

One of the Four Great Gardens, it's as famous as Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. The garden's winding paths lead to secluded areas, a typical example of Jiangnan art gardens. It's definitely worth a visit. I went there in December, the perfect time for colorful things. It was truly beautiful.

The fish are large and colorful, the fountains bloom like flowers, and the green of Yu Garden is playful, creeping everywhere. Even on cloudy days, it's still beautiful, like the beauty of a beautiful girl in anger. Even the trees imitate the style of ancient architecture, curving upwards. The garden's unique rocks and hills are also worth admiring.

I searched for the ticket office for a long time, but I was just walking around. Places like this are all the same, just commercial!

Whether it is worth going depends mainly on whether my mother likes it. After the walk, my mother said, "It's okay, but there are too many people."

I went to Yu Garden on October 1st. It was so crowded, but it didn't affect my interest in visiting. It was really unique. I went to Chenghuang Temple Snack City at dinner time. I really felt that it was a place to fool outsiders. If I wasn't so hungry, I would definitely not be able to eat it.

I initially thought it was another place that was more famous than it was full of content, but once inside, I found it truly lived up to its reputation. I thought it was in the downtown area and could be easily walked out in a few minutes, but it turned out to be surprisingly large. The courtyard landscape is ingeniously laid out, the pavilions and terraces are staggered, and the details are exquisite and unique. It is a typical Jiangnan garden that is highly recommended. If you have enough time, I think it is worth spending an hour and a half to two hours to slowly explore and explore it.

There's a sleepy little lazy cat in Yu Garden! Very interesting, try to find it when you get there!

It's a place worth walking around, it's quite big inside

There are a lot of people, that’s a lot of people. Yu Garden has a distinct Jiangnan style, with a lot of snacks and artworks, and it’s worth a visit.

The garden is filled with pavilions and towers, ancient trees and greenery complement each other, and small bridges and streams flow, creating an exquisite and tranquil atmosphere. The thought of being able to spend the whole day surrounded by such beautiful scenery makes me envy the lives of the ancients. Although not as convenient as modern technology, they still have a unique sense of pleasure and freedom from the mundane world. Just as Jay Chou sings in his song: "Under the eaves, the window lattices reflect the branches, and I sit on the ground with you, drinking tea."

I visited this place alone at the end of 2015, and it was quite crowded that day. However, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the scenery was breathtaking. The breeze rippled the lake, and the leaves on the trees rustled in the wind, creating a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Su's Garden, the ticket price is not very expensive, it's good to go there. I remember I left in less than half a day. It's not big and there are many places to eat around.

Yu Garden is more of a business district. It brings people together in the city, imparts traditional Chinese culture while adding more creative value, and generates a series of products for people to appreciate and purchase.

I went there during the National Day in 2017. Maybe it was because it was the National Day, there were so many people, and the road before entering was crowded.

The scenery is pretty good, with exquisite gardens. It might be better to go when there are fewer people.

It's very commercial, with multiple KFCs, McDonald's, and Starbucks. There are a lot of people, including many foreign tourists and relatively few locals. Prices are high, and they're ripping off foreign tourists. I didn't go to the Yu Gardens, but the ticket price starts at 30 yuan, which is enough for visiting the temple fair outside. It took about 1 to 2 hours.

I won't comment here, I just feel there are too many people

After visiting the City God Temple, let's go to Yu Garden. Adults are 30 yuan, and children under 1.3 are free. It's ok to go inside and just look at the rockery and houses. Suddenly, I feel that the scenery everywhere is the same. ... There are too many people in the summer vacation, and the City God Temple is even more crowded. The snacks inside are not bad.

Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, it boasts a history of over 400 years. The garden boasts over 40 ancient structures, including the Sui Hall, Iron Lions, Kuailou, Deyue Tower, Yulinglong, Jiyu Water Corridor, Tingtao Pavilion, Hanbi Tower, Inner Garden Jingguan Hall, and an ancient theater, as well as rockery, ponds, and more than 40 other ancient structures. The carp in Yu Garden's pond are incredibly plump! I'd love to eat some...

Come to a large intersection and take a panoramic view!

In one word: they are all “people”!

Thanks to the armed police brothers who were guarding the place, otherwise it would have collapsed long ago!

After entering, the sky is full of lanterns. I am looking forward to turning on the lights at night, it must be very beautiful!

There are different lanterns in each area!

The viewing value is indeed low during the day, but it looks beautiful!

There are three big gourds in the middle. Will the Calabash Brothers pop out? Hahaha!

I think it's just average. It's just some Jiangnan classical garden style, suitable for summer vacation, but the scenery is average.

Strolling in Yu Garden and feeling the waterside pavilions and orchid pavilions, the 30-yuan ticket is quite reasonable. Although many leaves have fallen, there are still a few winter plum trees that are not afraid of the severe cold and are blooming. The ancient trees in Yu Garden are also a major feature. There are towering white pine trees that are more than 300 years old, with trunks and branches so huge that they cover the entire sky above the garden. The overall Jiangnan architectural style highlights the grandeur in some small details. The delicate sculptures on the eaves, the dragon body designs on the walls, and the root carvings on the wooden chairs in the hall all show the atmosphere of a wealthy family. The groups of large koi in the pond of the Three-Curve Bridge attracted tourists to take pictures. Looking up, there is a delicate root carving of a giant dragon coiled on the wall that is so beautiful that it cannot be described.

The ancient monuments should be well maintained to preserve their antique flavor. After all, they are proof of history.

Though small, Yu Garden boasts exquisite interiors, boasting the typical pavilions, towers, rockeries, and boating lakes typical of Jiangnan gardens. Personally, I find it more comfortable than Suzhou's Lingering Garden. Official descriptions state that Yu Garden is known for its ingenious design, meticulous layout, tranquil beauty, and exquisite craftsmanship, embodying a sense of grandeur within a small form. Perhaps the most famous piece in Yu Garden is the Jade Linglong, a relic from Emperor Huizong's Flower and Stone Gang, dating back over a thousand years.

You absolutely have to go, not just to check in, but inside it will open your eyes. It used to be possible to have such a large yard, and from the layout to the furniture, it is really luxurious.

My husband and I were initially skeptical about visiting Yu Garden, thinking it was an option we could go to if we had nowhere else to go. But once we got there, we discovered the exquisite architectural design of Jiangnan gardens, and it was definitely worth a visit.

Shanghai itself has few natural attractions, and Yu Garden is a model for showing traditional Chinese gardens to foreign friends.

It was the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, and there were so many people that it was hard to move. I just sent postcards and visited some small shops.

Except for the Humble Administrator's Garden, most of the Jiangnan gardens are private gardens of officials and businessmen. Yu Garden is also one of the famous gardens and the most prosperous and lively place in Shanghai.



The ancients praised Yu Garden as "the most beautiful in the southeast," and for good reason. Its architectural form, compared to Suzhou gardens, is even more majestic in its subtle details. The eaves, like a soaring dragon in the sky, waiting for its moment to take flight, are so overtly imposing that one can even faintly sense the menacing aura of war.



The architecture of the Ming Dynasty is not as refined as that of the Qing Dynasty. The pavilions and towers are not elegant, and they are too big and complete. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to see the girls practicing Han Xiu. Their graceful figures added a charming and bright color to the garden.

My impression of Yu Garden is that there are many restaurants and of course a lot of people. If you want to eat there, you must queue up 1-2 hours in advance.

It is closely connected to the City God Temple, and it is nice to go in and take a look at the scenery.

This is a Ming and Qing dynasty villa. It boasts rockeries, a stream, and numerous flowers and trees. It suddenly struck me how fortunate the ancients must have been to live here, in such a leisurely and comfortable place. At around 4:00, before I'd even finished my walk around, they announced they were closing. I felt a bit disappointed, and had no choice but to leave.

Without a student ID, it was 40 yuan, and with a student ID, it was 20 yuan. There weren't many tourists at the time, so I used my graduate student ID to politely tell the ticket seller that my classmate didn't have his student ID and asked if we could buy two. To my surprise, he actually agreed, otherwise we might not have gone in because it was too expensive. The scenery inside was really worth it, and we had a lot of fun taking photos. I, on the other hand, was particularly fond of the various doors and holes.

I've been to Yu Garden twice. It's a nice little garden. Unlike the delicate Suzhou gardens, it has a more masculine and refreshing atmosphere. Having seen the beauty and tranquility of Suzhou gardens, if you're passing by, you might want to visit Yu Garden.

When there are few people in Yu Garden, you will feel a rare sense of tranquility, as if you can isolate yourself from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Yu Garden closes early, so please be careful if you go there.

【2015 Cross-Strait Youth Exchange Group】 #Shanghai#Nanjing#Beijing

2015 Winter Vacation Cross-Strait Youth Public Welfare Cultural Exchange Group

"Public welfare" is a very down-to-earth theme.

Have your own point of view, have the ability to observe, everything has its context.

"Public welfare" is a public issue and also involves public participation.

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When you have too much, do you cherish it?

In fact, when there are not many choices, we focus more on

Young people love charity and create new value *^O^* #Shanghai#Nanjing#Beijing

If you don't go to Suzhou

Well, you can still look here.

Experience the garden

Although it is crowded, it is worth going. The building is beautiful and the gardens are beautiful.

We searched for a long time near Yu Garden before we found the entrance to Yu Garden, because the entrance was surrounded by layers of Yu Garden Shopping Mall. We asked for directions and looked at various road signs before we found it.

Yu Garden, a classical Jiangnan garden, stands out amidst the skyscrapers of Shanghai. I read that Yu Garden was originally a private garden from the Ming Dynasty, with a history of over 400 years. My impression after touring it was that wealthy people would enjoy the winding paths within it. There are gardens within gardens, and beyond the rockery complexes lies another courtyard. The garden's design is truly relaxing and inspiring, and I wish I could live there and enjoy it myself.

There are many small sculptures on the roofs of the buildings in Yu Garden, and the patterns carved on the eaves are endless. It can be said that the design is really meticulous.