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Latest Shanghai hotel reviews
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Very small to Chinese standards and squeezed in the old town, this beautiful garden is a pleasant walk.
Built with sensibility and good taste, water, plants and stones surround the buildings in a very harmonious way.
Of course, you will not be able to miss it!
Updated Feb 1, 2012
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
Almost all western cities list in their noticeable points a... Chinatown, most of them with nothing special to see or to do than buying the cheap crafts that China exports worldwide.
In Shanghai, I saw a REAL Chinatown, with precious architecture, and crowds moving from shop to shop, here and there with so beautiful sites that... we forget to look at the crafts!
Well, not much, but enough to see that they are not so cheap as we could expect, knowing the prices in our own countries.
Updated Dec 3, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
The special note about the bazaar is the quality of its preservation.
Clean streets and facades, bright paintings and a general impression of order.
I had no time to conclude if it has the heavy business typical of bazaars or not (it seems to), but is was a nice visit.
Updated Dec 3, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
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Also written simply as Yu Gardens on some maps, the Yuyuan Gardens are a traditional Chinese garden minutes away from the river and the southern end of the Bund.
Established back in 1559, the 5 acre gardens have a checkered history, having been occupied by various military forces over the centuries, suffering extensive damage as a result. But they have been open to the public since 1961 and made into a national monument in 1982.
Today they are something of an oasis of calm in the middle of Shanghai, although the gardens remain busy throughout the day - no quiet contemplative stroll to be had here. Rockeries, pools, pavilions, mini gorges, halls, carp and trees - as well as tea tasting - to be had.
Open 8.30am - 5pm daily. Try and avoid Sundays - queues to get in can be horrendous.
Written Sep 9, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
History
Considered one of the classical Chinese gardens, Yuyuan was built in late 16th century for the parents of a Ming official named Pan Yunduan as a place where they could enjoy a restful old age. However, it quite quickly became delapidated as the fortunes of the family waned. The garden was rebuilt several times, first by a rich merchant family, and later in mid-20th century by the government to undo the damage of the Opium wars.
What
About 5 acres in size, the garden is not the largest of the classical Chinese gardens, but still packs in a lot with the main 6 scenic areas - Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden, with each area featuring a number of sights.
Visiting
What the smaller size (together with the huge popularity) does mean, is that the garden is crowded - and can get overcrowded very easily. Make sure you bring the appropriate amount of patience!
When I visited (end of September 2010) tickets were CNY 40 per person, with the garden open from 8.30am to 5.30pm
Updated Aug 7, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
Helpfulness
Everywhere we visited in China we were impressed with recycling. Practically anything that hit the pavement was collected for recyclying.
By the time we arrived in Shanghai we had become accustomed to recyclers. However in the Yu Garden it went a step further. We watched as the gardener made a new broom from small, dead tree branches. Something new every day.
At home most brooms in shops are manufactured in China, however have not seen this variety on sale!
Updated Jun 26, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
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Throughout the garden there are decoration of all kinds. The Chinese Dragon is a favourite, many on garden walls, pavillion roof, archways and around the various ponds. All must have a meaning, however I do not have the answer. We enjoyed taking photos of the beautiful and unusual.
Updated Jun 26, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
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This room is not open for public entry, however we obtained an excellent view through the open windows. The antique hand carrved timber furniture looked magnificent. The outlook onto the gardens and pond is outstanding.
Updated Jun 26, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
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The original garden was established in 1577 by Pan Yunduan who spent 18 years creating this beautiful Chinese Garden on a 2 hectare site.
This garden bears no resemblance to a western garden as it is a mixture of ponds, bridges, trees, rock gardens, Ming style pavillions and decoractions including dragons. All put together with Chinese style which skilfully blends everything together. It is laid out to provide beautiful secluded areas for rest and meditation.
Over the centuries these gardens deteriorated and during the First Opium War were ransacked by the British.
During 1956 the the 5 year restoration project commenced and the gardens were reopened to the public during 1961.These gardens are a popular tourist attraction and a highlight of our visit to Shanghai.
Updated Jun 26, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City, Shanghai.
Website: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanghai/yuyuan_garden.htm
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The hustle and bustle of Yuyuan Bazaar stirs up all tourists. There is something for everyone, nice shops, cafes, fast food and for those who are still hungry for culture you are surrounded by Ming architecture.
We were hungry for food on arrivale and were lucky to secure a window table looking onto the bazaar whilst we enjoyed our lunch at Starbucks.
Updated Jun 25, 2011
Address: 218 Anren Street, Old City
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218 Anren Street, Old City
Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar tips and photos posted by real travelers and Shanghai locals.
Write a ReviewThe hustle and bustle of Yuyuan Bazaar stirs up all tourists. There is something for everyone, nice shops, cafes, fast food and for those who are still hungry...
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