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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Yu Yuan Garden Summary
| Opening hours: |
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| Public website: | www.yuyuantm.com.cn |
China – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
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| Currency: |
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary. |
| Chinese New Year (January/February) |
Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations |
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| National Day (1 October) |
National holiday with parades and festivities |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire) |
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| Taxi apps: | DiDi, Uber |
| Other: | China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Yu Yuan Garden, China
Yuyuan Lantern Festival from Chinese New Year to early March: evenings extremely crowded, timed entry often required
Golden Week, October 1 to 7: garden and surrounding bazaar are packed with domestic visitors
Don't miss
- 🌿 Wander through the classical Ming dynasty garden landscapes
- 🏯 Visit the Lake Oasis and enjoy traditional Chinese pavilions
- 🥟 Taste authentic Shanghai snacks at the bazaar nearby
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Yu Yuan Garden offers a peaceful retreat designed in the classical Jiangnan style, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. This exquisite garden is famous for its harmonious blend of traditional architecture, artistic rock formations and serene water features that create a calm atmosphere contrasting with the surrounding busy city streets.
The garden's highlights include the Sansui Hall, the largest pavilion built to entertain guests and the Wanhua Chamber, adorned with colorful floral motifs that symbolize harmony with nature. Visitors also enjoy the views from the Yuhua Hall, near the famous Jade Rock, an irregular-shaped 3.3-meter-high limestone sculpture that is a signature feature of the garden.
Adjacent to the garden is the lively Yuyuan Bazaar, where visitors can explore traditional shops and sample Shanghai street food, although this area can feel quite crowded, especially during holidays. The Huxinting Teahouse within the garden offers a welcome break for tea lovers, providing a genuine cultural experience.
Visitors should be aware that the garden gets quite busy, particularly on weekends and holidays, which might detract from the tranquility many seek. Some areas require attentive walking as the paths can be narrow and slippery when wet. Also, the entrance fee is modest but noticeable, so planning your visit during less crowded times can enhance the experience.
Why travel to Yu Yuan Garden?
Knowledge before you go
- Buy combo ticket. Includes garden and adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar access.
- Visit early morning weekdays to avoid massive crowds in this popular tourist hotspot.
- Follow the one-way path through pavilions, rockeries and ponds for optimal flow.
- Ming Dynasty garden built by Pan Yunduan for his father; features classical Jiangnan-style landscape design.
How to travel to Yu Yuan Garden
Yu Yuan Garden is located in Shanghai’s Huangpu District, easily accessible by metro via Yuyuan Garden Station (Line 10 and Line 14). From Shanghai Pudong International Airport, it takes about 45 minutes by taxi or about an hour via metro transfers. From Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, a taxi takes roughly 40 minutes depending on traffic. Once there, the garden is a short walk from the metro and other main Old City sights.
Access summary
- From Pudong Airport (PVG): Metro Line 2, change to Line 10 (~60–70 min).
- From central Shanghai: Metro Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Garden (~15–25 min).
- From Hongqiao Airport: Metro Line 10 direct to Yuyuan Garden Station (~40–50 min).
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Yu Yuan Garden
Shanghai offers many accommodation options close to Yu Yuan Garden, from modern hotels to charming boutique stays in the Old City area, providing convenient access to this historic garden as well as other central attractions.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund
IFC Residence
MaxX by Steigenberger Shanghai on the Bund
Central Hotel
The Eton Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
Green Court Residence City Center - Shanghai
The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi
Packing recommendations for Yu Yuan Garden
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🧥
Waterproof jacket
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small rucksack
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 63% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
Yu‑Yuan Garden in Shanghai offers a generally safe environment for travelers, with well‑patrolled streets and minimal crime. Visitors should stay vigilant against pickpocketing in crowded areas, avoid isolated alleys after dark and follow local advisories to ensure a secure visit.
Accessibility
Yu‑Yuan Garden in Shanghai offers excellent accessibility: smooth, wide pathways, ramps and elevators connect all levels, while clear signage aids navigation. However, some older pavilions have narrow steps and crowded peak times can impede mobility for wheelchair users.
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