Yu Garden Shanghai: Essential Guide to Entry, Hours & Areas
Discover the enchanting Yu Garden in Shanghai! Our guide covers its location, hours, entrance fees, and the vibrant distinction between the classical garden and the lively Old Street.
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Discover the enchanting Yu Garden in Shanghai! Our guide covers its location, hours, entrance fees, and the vibrant distinction between the classical garden and the lively Old Street.
When you're planning a trip to Shanghai, **Yu Garden** is almost certainly on your list!
When I first started planning my Shanghai trip,
I thought Yu Garden was just... well, a garden.
But when I actually visited, I realized that what travelers refer to as **'Yu Garden'** includes not just the garden itself, but also **the surrounding commercial district**,
offering far more to see than I initially expected!
It's a place where you'll find a captivating mix of **traditional Chinese architecture, souvenir shops, and amazing restaurants**,
making it the perfect spot to experience **the most authentically Chinese atmosphere** in Shanghai.
For those preparing their first trip to Shanghai, it can be a bit confusing, so I've put together everything you need to know about
**Yu Garden's location, the difference between its inner and outer areas,**
**and the opening hours and entrance fees for the inner garden**.
Shanghai Yu Garden
Gaode Map, Hours, Inner vs. Outer, Entrance Fee, Entrance
1️⃣Yu Garden Location in Shanghai
2️⃣Inner vs. Outer Areas: What's the Difference?
3️⃣Inner Garden Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
4️⃣Other Tips
1. Yu Garden's Location in Shanghai
While **Shanghai's Yu Garden** often sounds like it's just about the garden itself,
when you actually visit, you'll discover there's plenty to see even without entering the garden.
That's why many visitors to Yu Garden actually skip the garden and just come to enjoy the surrounding shops and the evening views of the Nine-Bend Bridge.
Even on my first trip to Shanghai,
I only explored the surrounding area... and loved it!
Whether you plan to explore Yu Garden's inner garden or just wander the surrounding streets,
simply head towards **Yu Garden Old Street** using the Gaode Map link below.
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#ShanghaiYuGarden #YuGarden
2. Inner vs. Outer Areas: What's the Difference?
The inner and outer areas of Yu Garden have completely different vibes.
First, the inner area is a **classical garden built during the Ming Dynasty**,
beautifully arranged with a harmonious blend of **ponds, rocks, pavilions, and winding corridors**.
It's so vast, you'll wonder how it could have been a private garden! It's also incredibly well-preserved, making it a fantastic place to explore.
On the other hand, **the outer area offers a completely different vibe**.
It's a **typical tourist hub**, lined with **restaurants, dessert shops, and souvenir stores**. But what makes it special is the traditional Chinese architecture of the buildings,
instantly immersing you in the feeling of being in China just by walking through!
On my first trip to Shanghai,
the inner garden was already closed for admissions, so I only explored the outer area, and I was completely satisfied!
On my second Shanghai trip, I explored the garden first, then came out to stroll through the alleys and browse for souvenirs.
Both times, I had an amazing experience, so you can choose what suits your preferences and travel itinerary best!
Looking at the Gaode map, the **red shaded area is what you can see without paying a separate entrance fee**,
while the **blue shaded area is the garden portion that requires an admission ticket**.
3. Inner Garden Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
Unlike the outer commercial streets, **Yu Garden's inner garden** is an area where **an admission ticket is required**.
Yuyuan Garden is quite expansive, which means it has multiple entrances.
The one I chose was located at the end of the Nine-Bend Bridge.
If you follow this bridge, aptly named the Nine-Bend Bridge because of its nine turns,
you'll arrive at the
Yuyuan Garden - Jianpiaochu
(Entrance & Exit)
which serves as the Yuyuan Garden ticket office and entrance/exit.
Yuyuan Ticket Office/Entrance Gaode Map Link
Yuyuan Inner Garden Operating Hours
✔️9:00 - 16:30
✔️Last entry 16:00
Visiting hours do vary slightly by season,
and during the summer, they even offer evening operations,
so **I highly recommend double-checking the operating hours before your visit**.
When I first traveled to Shanghai,
I only vaguely heard that Yuyuan had beautiful night views,
so I headed there around sunset,
and I was quite flustered when I found out the garden was already closed for entry.
#ShanghaiYuyuanHours
When booking online, you typically select your time slot as either morning entry / afternoon entry.
This is how you secure your reservation.
I purchased my ticket directly at the site,
and the on-site admission fee was 40 yuan.
After my trip, I did some more research and found that
it's actually cheaper to purchase tickets in advance through certain online travel agencies.
MyRealTrip | Trip.com | Klook | KKDay |
~$10 | ~$5 | ~$5 | ~$12 |
While an on-site purchase is 40 yuan,
making the Yuyuan admission ticket about ~$6,
for some reason, on several travel websites,
online tickets are actually more expensive.
However, Trip.com and Klook offer tickets that are more than ~$1 cheaper than buying on-site,
so I definitely recommend purchasing in advance if you can!
Review of Yuyuan Inner Garden Visit in Shanghai
4. Other Highlights
Beyond just exploring the garden, Yuyuan is bursting with various other experiences.
It's one of the most popular spots in Shanghai for a Wanghong experience,
and when I visited, there were so many people dressed in traditional Chinese attire with elaborate makeup,
taking countless photos.
The unique traditional architecture of Yuyuan really complements the look,
making for truly stunning photos.
What's more, with so many souvenir shops around,
you'll find fragrant fruit teas you haven't seen anywhere else,
and plenty of adorable little items perfect for gifting.
That fruit tea, in particular, as soon as I had a sample taste,
I fell completely in love with its taste and aroma, and immediately asked for the price and bought it, haha!
At the far end of the Yuyuan shopping street, there's even a luggage storage service,
which is super convenient if you're carrying a suitcase or larger bags.
🔻🔻🔻🔻
Get your tickets on Klook, over 20% cheaper than buying on-site!
Buy your Shanghai Yuyuan Garden entrance tickets here!
🔺🔺🔺🔺
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Yuyuan Garden Outer Area Tour Review & Souvenir Shops
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For travelers visiting Shanghai, 'Yuyuan Garden' encompasses not only the Yuyuan Garden itself but also the surrounding commercial streets. This area features traditional Chinese architecture, souvenir shops, and popular restaurants, offering the most authentic Chinese atmosphere in Shanghai.
The inner Yuyuan Garden is a classical garden built during the Ming Dynasty, harmoniously arranged with ponds, rocks, pavilions, and corridors. In contrast, the outer area is a typical tourist destination lined with restaurants, dessert shops, and souvenir stores, all characterized by traditional Chinese architectural styles.
The inner Yuyuan Garden operates from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with last admission at 4:00 PM. Operating hours may vary by season, and there might be night operations during the summer, so it's advisable to reconfirm before your visit.
The on-site admission fee for the inner Yuyuan Garden is 40 Chinese Yuan. If you purchase tickets in advance through Korean travel sites like Trip.com and Klook, you can buy them for more than ~$1 cheaper than on-site.
The ticket office and entrance/exit for the inner Yuyuan Garden are located at the end of the Nine-Bend Bridge (Jiǔqǔ Qiao). If you walk straight along the Nine-Bend Bridge, which bends nine times, you will find a sign that says 'Yuyuan Garden - Jianpiaochu (Entrance & Exit)'.
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