What are the opening hours of Yu Garden? Is it really closed every Monday?

Yes, Yu Garden is closed every Monday (except on national public holidays; opening hours during Chinese New Year are subject to official announcements). Regular opening hours are 9:00 to 16:30 daily, with last entry at 16:00 and clearing of the garden starting at 16:30. We recommend planning your visit accordingly and entering before 15:30 so you have enough time to enjoy the more than 40 attractions inside. First-time visitors often overlook the Monday closure, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid a wasted trip. On national public holidays, the garden usually opens as normal on Mondays—check official announcements for details.

What's the easiest way to get to Yu Garden?

The subway is the most convenient option. Take Metro Line 10 or Line 14 to Yuyuan Station, leave via Exit 1, and walk about 5–10 minutes to the north or south gate of Yu Garden. Several bus routes also stop nearby, including buses 11, 26, 64, 66, 71, 715, 736, 801, 926, 929, 930, and 980. If you're driving, you can park at the Yuyuan Bazaar parking lot for about ¥15/hour, but roads around the area get heavily congested and parking is tight on holidays, so public transport is strongly recommended.

How many entrances does Yu Garden have? Which one should I use?

Yu Garden has two entrances. The north gate is at 168 Fuyou Road, Huangpu District, and is the main entrance for both group tours and independent travelers. The south gate is at 279 Yuyuan Old Street (at the end of the Nine-Turn Bridge) and is for independent travelers only. Most visitors find it smoother to enter through the south gate—you can visit the core attractions in order: Nine-Turn Bridge, Grand Rockery, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Tower, and Exquisite Jade Rock—then exit through the north gate into Yuyuan Bazaar for shopping and dining.

Are the paths inside easy to walk? What should seniors and children watch out for?

Yu Garden is a classical garden with uneven paths and many steps, stone bridges, ramps, ponds, rockeries, and caves. Elderly visitors, children, pregnant women, those with health conditions or disabilities, and intoxicated guests are advised to visit with a guardian or companion. Paths become very slippery in rain or snow, so watch your step; during strong winds or thunderstorms, avoid standing under trees or eaves. Wear comfortable, non-slip flat shoes and mind your footing while exploring.

How long does it take to explore Yu Garden? What else is there to do nearby?

Exploring the garden itself takes about 1-2 hours. However, Yu Garden, the City God Temple, and Yuyuan Bazaar form an integrated "temple, market, and garden" area, so we recommend setting aside half a day to a full day. Suggested itinerary: Visit Yu Garden in the morning (enter right at the 9:00 opening to avoid crowds), then head to the City God Temple (¥10 admission, includes 3 incense sticks) to pray for good fortune. At noon, enjoy local delicacies like Nanxiang steamed buns and Shanghai cuisine at Lubolang in Yuyuan Bazaar. In the afternoon, stroll across the Nine-Turn Bridge, take photos at the Mid-Lake Pavilion, or relax with tea at the Huxinting Teahouse.

Yu Garden

Located in Shanghai's Old City, Yu Garden was first built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and is a masterpiece of private gardens. Its pavilions, terraces, and towers are elegantly arranged, while rockeries and flowing water complement each other, earning it the reputation as the "finest garden in the southeast." Attractions such as the Nine-Turn Bridge, Mid-Lake Pavilion, and Grand Rockery are exquisitely crafted, fully showcasing the artistic charm of Ming and Qing Jiangnan gardens—"serene beauty with mountains and forests within reach."

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Traveling to Shanghai with kids? Yu Garden is your top pick—adults won't get tired, kids won't fuss, and everyone enjoys the magic of this Shanghai garden

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Here's your travel guide for Yu Garden in Shanghai! Tucked away in the old town of Huangpu, Yu Garden boasts a unique garden style. Restored over centuries, it fully preserves traditional landscaping layouts and Ming- and Qing-dynasty architecture. Rockeries and ponds complement each other in richly layered scenery, featuring highlights like the Nine-Zigzag Bridge and the Exquisite Jade Rock. It offers both a tranquil garden setting and direct access to bustling old-town streets.

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Yu GardenVisitor guide

I. Overview
Located in the northeast of Shanghai's Old City in Huangpu District, Yu Garden is a Jiangnan classical garden built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, with over 450 years of history. The name "Yuyuan" means "bringing peace and joy to one's parents." It was built by Pan Yunduan, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Sichuan, as a retirement retreat for his father, embodying wishes for peace and well-being.
Designed by Zhang Nanyang, a renowned Ming Dynasty garden architect, the garden covered over 70 mu at its peak and was praised as "the finest garden in the southeast." Today, it preserves more than 40 attractions, including Sansui Hall, the Grand Rockery, Deyue Tower, the Exquisite Jade Rock, and Jiyu Waterside Corridor, featuring elegant pavilions, striking rock formations, and lush greenery. The garden also houses ancient trees, Ming and Qing furniture, calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, clay sculptures, and brick carvings, showcasing the essence of traditional Chinese art. Today, Yu Garden connects with the Old City God Temple and Yuyuan Bazaar to form a unique "temple, market, and garden" complex that blends folk culture, leisure, shopping, dining, and cultural events, attracting over 37 million visitors from home and abroad each year.

II. Getting There
Metro (recommended): Take Metro Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Station. Exit via Exit 1 or 7 and walk about 5 minutes to reach Yuyuan Bazaar and the garden entrance. This is the most convenient way to get to Yu Garden, especially during holidays and the Lantern Festival.
Bus: Several bus routes serve the area. Take Bus 24, 64, or 715 to the Fuxing East Road Guangqi Road stop; Bus 66, 306, 929, or 980 to the Henan South Road Fuxing East Road stop; or Bus 11, 736, 926, or 930 to the Xiaodongmen stop.
Taxi/ride-hailing: Easily accessible from anywhere in downtown Shanghai. Just tell the driver you're heading to "Yu Garden."
Driving: Park at nearby paid lots such as BFC (Bund Finance Center). During the Yu Garden Lantern Festival, ticket holders can enjoy 4 hours of free parking at BFC, which offers over 1,500 spaces and 4 entrances on Renmin Road, Fengjing Road, Dongmen Road, and Zhonghua Road. Note that parking near Yu Garden is limited and traffic can be heavy during holidays, so public transportation is recommended.

III. Highlights
Daytime visit – Exploring the classical garden
Must-see attractions include the Grand Rockery, a masterpiece by Ming Dynasty rockery artist Zhang Nanyang; the Exquisite Jade Rock, one of the three great fantastic rocks of Jiangnan; the Yuan Dynasty iron lions; Dianchun Hall; and Deyue Tower. Arriving right at opening time helps you avoid the crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of this Jiangnan garden.
Night experience – "Yuxiang Shanlin" night tour
The night tour uses light and multimedia technology to bring the garden's calligraphy and paintings to life. It features 24 scenes along a 50-minute route that tells a poetic story through "Three Realms of Ancient Poetry." Tours operate in small groups of about 20 people with a guide, and advance booking is required.

FAQ

: Yes, Yu Garden is closed every Monday (except on national public holidays; opening hours during Chinese New Year are subject to official announcements). Regular opening hours are 9:00 to 16:30 daily, with last entry at 16:00 and clearing of the garden starting at 16:30. We recommend planning your visit accordingly and entering before 15:30 so you have enough time to enjoy the more than 40 attractions inside. First-time visitors often overlook the Monday closure, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid a wasted trip. On national public holidays, the garden usually opens as normal on Mondays—check official announcements for details.
: The subway is the most convenient option. Take Metro Line 10 or Line 14 to Yuyuan Station, leave via Exit 1, and walk about 5–10 minutes to the north or south gate of Yu Garden. Several bus routes also stop nearby, including buses 11, 26, 64, 66, 71, 715, 736, 801, 926, 929, 930, and 980. If you're driving, you can park at the Yuyuan Bazaar parking lot for about ¥15/hour, but roads around the area get heavily congested and parking is tight on holidays, so public transport is strongly recommended.
: Yu Garden has two entrances. The north gate is at 168 Fuyou Road, Huangpu District, and is the main entrance for both group tours and independent travelers. The south gate is at 279 Yuyuan Old Street (at the end of the Nine-Turn Bridge) and is for independent travelers only. Most visitors find it smoother to enter through the south gate—you can visit the core attractions in order: Nine-Turn Bridge, Grand Rockery, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Tower, and Exquisite Jade Rock—then exit through the north gate into Yuyuan Bazaar for shopping and dining.
: Yu Garden is a classical garden with uneven paths and many steps, stone bridges, ramps, ponds, rockeries, and caves. Elderly visitors, children, pregnant women, those with health conditions or disabilities, and intoxicated guests are advised to visit with a guardian or companion. Paths become very slippery in rain or snow, so watch your step; during strong winds or thunderstorms, avoid standing under trees or eaves. Wear comfortable, non-slip flat shoes and mind your footing while exploring.
: Exploring the garden itself takes about 1-2 hours. However, Yu Garden, the City God Temple, and Yuyuan Bazaar form an integrated "temple, market, and garden" area, so we recommend setting aside half a day to a full day. Suggested itinerary: Visit Yu Garden in the morning (enter right at the 9:00 opening to avoid crowds), then head to the City God Temple (¥10 admission, includes 3 incense sticks) to pray for good fortune. At noon, enjoy local delicacies like Nanxiang steamed buns and Shanghai cuisine at Lubolang in Yuyuan Bazaar. In the afternoon, stroll across the Nine-Turn Bridge, take photos at the Mid-Lake Pavilion, or relax with tea at the Huxinting Teahouse.