How do I get from Yuyuan Garden Station to Shanghai's Wukang Mansion by subway, and how long does it take?

According to the article, take Line 10 from Yuyuan Garden Station and travel 5 stops to Jiaotong University Station. Exit through Exit 7. The total journey takes approximately 22 minutes.

What architectural style is Wukang Mansion, and what facilities are located on its first floor?

Wukang Mansion, built in 1924 in the Renaissance style, is Shanghai's oldest 8-story European-style apartment building. The first floor houses cafes and souvenir shops, while the second floor and above are regular apartments where locals reside.

What are the recommended visiting times and photo spot tips for taking great pictures at Wukang Mansion?

We recommend visiting in the morning, as the afternoon sees a rush of tourists, making it difficult to take photos alone. There are about 3 recommended spots for taking photos with Wukang Mansion in the background. A good tip is to aim for when the traffic light at the crosswalk is about 10 seconds away from changing.

Wukang Mansion Shanghai: Your 2026 Guide to Getting There

Wukang Mansion Shanghai: Your 2026 Guide to Getting There | TRVLOGUE

When you visit Shanghai, everyone seems to recommend a trip to Wukang Mansion. Even if you're not quite sure what it is, it's worth heading there first thing in the morning to find out!

Here's a complete guide on how to get to Wukang Mansion and how to use Gaode Map (Amap) for navigation. Since everyone's starting point is different, simply follow the subway directions provided by Gaode Map from your current location.

Wukang Mansion

Google Maps: 1850 Huaihai Rd (M), Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200031 China

Gaode Map (Amap): 武康大楼

Subway Directions

My accommodation was the Campanile Shanghai Bund hotel, which was perfectly located right in front of Yuyuan Garden Station (marked in red on the map). From Yuyuan Garden Station, you only need to travel 5 stops to reach Jiao Tong University Station (交通大学站). Take Exit 7 from Jiao Tong University Station.

If you've already prepared Gaode Map (Amap), an essential app for traveling in China, simply input Wukang Mansion as your destination from your current location.

Setting Yuyuan Garden Station as the starting point, you can enter your destination by pressing the blue button on the bottom right. The app shows you can take Line 10 for 5 stops, then walk for 8 minutes, for a total travel time of 22 minutes. With such clear subway directions, you won't get lost, especially if you cross-reference with a Shanghai subway map.

Head out of Jiao Tong University Station via Exit 7!

Once you're out of Exit 7, you can use either Google Maps or Gaode Map to find your way. Honestly, most tourists are heading in the same direction, so you could even just follow the crowd! As soon as you exit the subway, walk left, then take another left turn.

I walked without much thought, still not entirely sure what Wukang Mansion was all about. It's best not to have sky-high expectations; simply plan to spend a short time capturing some photos with the building as your backdrop, and you'll be perfectly content.

After about a 5-minute walk, Wukang Mansion came into view. Previously, up until 2025, you could find photographers charging a fee for shoots, but regulations have since tightened, and they've all disappeared. If you're traveling solo and wish to have your photo taken, you'll need to arrange a photographer online in advance or politely ask another tourist for help.

Wukang Mansion, built in 1924 in the Renaissance style, is a rare European-style apartment building in China. It's Shanghai's oldest 8-story apartment block. Due to the narrow, pointed shape of the land, one end of the building is a sharp triangle, much like an iron, earning it the nickname 'Iron Building.'

The first floor houses cafes and souvenir shops, while the second floor upwards consists of apartments where locals reside. Although it's often rumored to be a filming location for the movie 'Lust, Caution,' the building actually doesn't appear in the film. This is a common misconception many people have.

Top Photo Spots

So, where can you snap the most beautiful photos?

There are about three prime spots to capture Wukang Mansion in the background. You can take great shots by crossing each crosswalk strategically.

My personal tip for a great photo is to shoot from the middle of the crosswalk. Wait for everyone to pass, then seize that fleeting moment when there are about 10 seconds left on the pedestrian signal. You can get some stunning photos this way! Of course, please don't be a nuisance by staying past the red light. I only wish I had come with a friend to help me get some truly epic shots.

I took a quick look around the shops on the first floor of Wukang Mansion. Aside from two or three souvenir shops, there wasn't much else to explore.

Cafes like Starbucks, Chagee, and Apoli Itabakery are always bustling with customers. I decided I wanted to visit % Arabica Cafe again, so I walked for about 15 minutes. Along the way, I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful tree-lined streets and charming surroundings.

These vibrant spots, including the Wukang Ting cultural complex and Yuyuan Garden, truly changed my perception of China's older image. I'll share more about the cafes in a future post!

We've covered how to get to Wukang Mansion and how to use Gaode Map. I recommend visiting in the morning, as it gets crowded with tourists in the afternoon, making it difficult to take photos without others in the background. Wukang Mansion alone might feel a bit short, so consider walking along Wukang Road (Wukang Lu) to explore its charming tree-lined streets and perhaps add a cozy cafe to your itinerary.