Yu Garden
★ 4.5 ｜ 5,378 reviews
Classical Ming garden · Historic architecture · Iconic landmark
📍 四牌楼 Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200000
🕐
Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
About
5-acre garden built in 1577 that features Ming dynasty pavilions, ponds, rockeries & arched bridges.
The full picture
A five-acre classical Chinese garden dating back to 1577, featuring Ming dynasty pavilions, stone rockeries, and koi ponds.
It suits history enthusiasts, photographers, and first-time visitors seeking a traditional contrast to Shanghai's modern skyline.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before opening to explore before large tour groups and crowds arrive.
💡 Pre-book tickets online for weekend visits and have Alipay ready for payment at the entrance.
Visitors love
- exquisite Ming architecture
- beautifully manicured landscaping
- authentic historical atmosphere
- reasonable entry fees
- vibrant surrounding market streets
Some note
- extremely crowded
- overwhelming weekend traffic
- difficult to photograph without crowds
- confusing maze-like layout
Good to know
- Is it good for kids?
- Not mentioned in reviews.
- Is it OK on a rainy day?
- Not mentioned in reviews.
- How long should I stay?
- Allow about one hour to walk through the garden itself, plus additional time for the surrounding shops.
- Is a reservation needed?
- Recommended for weekends and public holidays; tickets can be purchased via online platforms or at the gate.
Visitor reviews
★★★★★
Beutiful place with really Chinese vibe. It was very crowded in July but really worth visiting it. Don't skip anything. And take some time to sit and just feel the atmosphere. Also surrounding area is very nice, so be ready for additional time.
★★★★★
We took a wonderful stroll around downtown Shanghai and went to visit the Yu Garden. It’s 30 RMB per person and is a wonderful walking experience. Such a small area however such a large about of beautiful buildings and sculptures / paintings / carvings to view. It’s a big maze and one could get lost but it’s such a small area one can’t get lost for long.
★★★★
This beautiful garden was built during the Ming dynasty and is steeped in history. It features beautiful plants, rockeries, bridges, ponds and pavilions. It certainly is a stunning and well kept garden but it is extremely busy. Buying tickets at the ticket booth was quick and easy. This iconic place is probably always busy but the weekend is actually crazy.
★★★★★
We had a wonderful trip to Yu Garden. We went on a Sunday, so it was busier than if we’d been able to go on a weekday, but we booked our tickets in advance on trip.com and arrived 15 before opening to get in line. We were grateful we went early and got inside before the larger tour groups arrived. It took about 1 hour to explore the garden, which was lovely. It did get busy quickly, full of others all trying to get the perfect photos. A definite must for any visit to Shanghai. When we finished, we were able to explore the old streets. It was still early and restaurants and shops were jus
★★★★★
Yu Garden was a definite highlight of Shanghai when I visited. Stepping through the gates feels like you’ve been transported back in time, and is a stark contrast to the modern skyline.
I visited on a Friday, and although it was busy, it was still a manageable crowd. If you were visiting on a weekend or a public holiday, I would pre-book a ticket online to make sure you can get in. On the day it was 40 CNY which I thought was extremely reasonable. I couldn’t use WeChat but was able to pay via Alipay on arrival.
The gardens are picture perfect in every way. Everything is beautifully manicured