Yu Garden (Yuyuan)

Yes, Yue gardens can also be very busy... but you will always find places inside where the masses of people just outside the door can be forgotten. Classical Chinese architecture meets beautiful garden design and although it is relatively small compared to its much bigger brothers in Suzhou, its easy accessibility in Shanghai downtown makes up for this. Good spot for a first contact with Chinese garden design. Date of experience: November 2019  

Gorgeous chinese garden! Felt like chinese alice in wonderland! Tricky to find initially, had to ask around using my translator app. But once you find the garden hidden among the ancient Yuynan market ...its just wow! Gives you a great perspective on chinese garden style, unique jade stone caves and you feel like lost in a maze at times, which is fun when you let yourself flow in the garden, connecting with the vibe of the several water streams, lakes and ancient chinese huts! must visit attraction when in shanghai! Date of experience: October 2019

Thanks for Easy travel to provide me wonder trip of Yuyan Garden!!! Excellent experience and wonderful tour guide, Ada!!! Yu Yuan Garden proper is a traditional old-style and large city garden (formally a private garden) in the heart of downtown Shanghai. If you have limited time and have never seen a Chinese garden then perhaps this may be of interest, but I would suggest you may spend your time better by exploring the other areas within this old part of town. Must do: walk across the zig-zag bridge, pay a visit to the Buddhist Shanghai City temple at the far end (from train station) of the block, consider queuing for the dumplings (only if line is reasonable), do eat at on of the cheaper snack food "wooden seat" restaurants, wander down the antique section (roadway to right at far end from train station). Be aware that opening prices are 3 times inflated to what you could possibly get antiques for. Most others souvenir items are standard fixed price with little bargaining room. Offer a low price in one shop to establish the reasonable price. You'll find the same item over and over again! The two white buildings at the top end of the garden area (separated by a 6 minute walk, known as the commodities markets) are well worth a visit if only to make you realize just how much "junk" we all buy. The middle floor of the smaller left building of 4 floors behind the gold jewelry shop and McDonalds, houses all sorts of bulk Chinese medicine (very good for a look and a smell). You'll be amazed. The upper floor of this building houses everything you need for a wedding. Each of these three buildings is well worth a visit. You could spend the best part of a day at YuYuan (without even visiting the garden). You'll find gifts for everyone in one place and the prices are really quite good ...if you are sensible. Some things you will only find at YuYuan. It is worth to go late afternoon and into the evening just to see the myriad of lighting effects. ..very pretty. It's a MUST see when in Shanghai either for a short or long visit! Forget the garden part :) Date of experience: November 2019