Yuyuan Garden (豫园) Travel Guide
Nov 10, 2024
by orient china travel
Here is an English travel guide for Yuyuan Garden:
General Introduction
Yuyuan Garden, also known as Yu Garden, is a renowned classical garden in the heart of Shanghai. It was built over 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and is an iconic example of traditional Chinese garden architecture. The garden was designed to provide a serene and beautiful environment for people to enjoy nature and relax.
Yuyuan Garden, also known as Yu Garden, is a renowned classical garden in the heart of Shanghai. It was built over 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and is an iconic example of traditional Chinese garden architecture. The garden was designed to provide a serene and beautiful environment for people to enjoy nature and relax.
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Location and Transportation
- Location: It is located at No. 137, Anren Street, Huangpu District, very close to the Old City God Temple.
- Transportation:
- By Subway: You can take Metro Line 10 and get off at Yuyuan Garden Station. It is a short walk from there to the garden.
- By Bus: There are several bus routes that pass by the area. You can check the local bus schedules for the most convenient option.
- By Taxi or Car: Taxis are readily available in Shanghai. If you are driving, you can use a navigation app to find the best route. However, be aware of the traffic conditions in the city center.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
- Opening Hours: The garden is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last admission at 4:30 pm.
- Ticket Prices: The ticket price is 40 RMB from April to June and September to November, and 30 RMB from July to August and December to March.
Main Attractions
- Great Rockery: As you enter the garden, you will encounter a magnificent rockery. Standing at a height of 14 meters, it is the largest and oldest rockery in the southern region of the Yangtze River. From the top of the rockery, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the garden.
- Cui Xiu Hall: Situated at the foot of the great rockery, Cui Xiu Hall is a quiet and elegant place surrounded by old trees and beautiful flowers. There are curio shops inside the hall.
- Sansui Hall: Originally used to entertain guests, later it became a place to hold ceremonies for the gentlemen and book men. With a height of nine meters and featuring five halls, it is the most commodious structure in the garden. The name "Sansui" is derived from the "History of the Later Han Dynasty" and means 'propitious' and 'lucky'.
- Wanhua Chamber: It is a delicate building surrounded by intricate cloisters. Spring bamboos grow beside the cloisters. In front of the Wanhua Chamber, there are two old trees, one of which is a ginkgo that is said to have been planted by the owner of the Yu Garden 400 years ago.
- Exquisite Jade Rock: The true treasure of Yuyuan Garden is the Exquisite Jade Rock, one of the three most famous rockeries in South China. The rock is 3.3 meters in height and has 72 holes. If you burn a joss stick just below the rock, the smoke will magically float out from all of the holes. When you pour water into the rock from top, the water will flow out from each hole, creating a spectacular sight.
Tour Tips
- Guided Tours: There are often guided tours available in the garden. Joining a guided tour can help you better understand the history, culture, and architecture of the garden.
- Time Management: Although the garden is not very large, it is advisable to allocate at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit to fully appreciate its beauty.
- Photography: The garden offers many beautiful scenes for photography. However, be respectful of other visitors when taking photos and avoid using flash in areas where it may damage the cultural relics or disturb others.
- Shopping and Dining: Just outside the garden, there is the Yuyuan Bazaar, where you can find hundreds of shops and stalls selling souvenirs and snacks. There are also a number of teahouses and restaurants in this area where you can enjoy a meal or a cup of tea.