Yuyuan Garden

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9 Reviews | Add review

Address: 218 Anren Jie, Shanghai
Hours: Open daily 8:30am - 5pm
Admission: ¥ 30 - ¥ 40

ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Place to Relax, Must-Do Experience, Nature & Wildlife, Romantic, Park / Garden

11:12 AM Tuesday, May 21
Passing clouds. Pleasantly warm.
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The name of the Yuyuan Garden means 'Garden of Peace and Comfort', a slightly ironic moniker these days. Owing to its position in the center of the Old Town and its reputation as one of China's finest and best-preserved gardens, Yuyuan is crowded to bursting point every day. And yet, somehow, it manages to maintain something of its air of serenity.

The garden has a touching history. It was built in the 16th century by a government official. He spent 20 years perfecting the garden as a haven for his father in his old age.

Flowing dragon walls encircle a relatively small space - the garden measures up at only 2 hectares (5 acres). And yet, what a lot is packed in to that space! Tall rockeries emulate cliffs and crags. Ming-era pavilions invite repose. Bamboo sway in the wind. Koi thrash the waters of the pools in their feeding frenzies. Zig-zag bridges foil evil spirits (who can only travel in straight lines).

Don't miss the Exquisite Jade Rock. Legend has it that this rock was on its way to the court in Beijing when it went down in a shipwreck. It was later retrieved from the Hupuang River and ended up here. It's weathered and honeycombed, so much so that water and incense smoke will flow through holes in its surface.

Latest Reviews

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All Yuyuan Garden Reviews

Review by labmagic, June 2012
Doing what: Best of Shanghai Day Tour including Jade Buddha Temple and The Bund

This is a great tour and the size of the group was small (total of 6) in air condition van. Got a lot of history from tour guide and saw many sites in Shanghai. Had a great tasty Shanghai lunch ordered by the guide. Loved the museum, learning about pearls, silk, and jade, history and sites of the Bund, beautiful Jade Buddha Temple, and the beauty of Yuyaun Garden. Tour was timely and didn't feel rushed.

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Review by Annette v, January 2011
Doing what: Best of Shanghai Day Tour including Jade Buddha Temple and The Bund

I really enjoyed this tour. Especially the old-city and the yu-garden. The Jade Buddha Tempel is magnificent. The kasmier-shop I didn't like, instead I would have liked to spent more time with the tea ceremony. The tour takes you across the city, and our tourguide Helen knew so much about her city. If you don't feel like exploring the city on your own, this is the tour you should book.

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Review by CHONA S, Philippines, December 2007
Doing what: Best of Shanghai Day Tour including Jade Buddha Temple and The Bund

It was fantastic and educational. The tour guide speaks English well and she gave vital information in every destination especially the Yuan Garden and the Jade Buddha Temple. What is boring is the tea preparation which took a long time. We would rather spend some time buying souvenir items outside Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum. The lunch was okay but there were so many dishes, it should be replaced by 1 bottle of mineral water per head instead.

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