Yuyuan Garden

Yuyuan Garden is located in the northeast of the old city of Shanghai, adjacent to the Old Town God Temple. It is a famous classical garden in the south of the Yangtze River as well as a world-renowned historical site and scenic spot.

Previously a private garden in the Ming Dynasty, Yuyuan Garden was built during the reigning years of Jiajing and Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, some 400 years ago. As the word “yu” means “peace and health” in Chinese, the name “Yuyuan Garden” indicates people’s wishes for peace. At that time, there were thousands of private gardens in and around Shanghai. Thanks to the perfect landscape, layout and scale of Yuyuan Garden, many believed it was beautiful enough to rival Zhuozheng Garden of Suzhou and Garden of Taicang. Yuyuan Garden was widely recognized as the “No. 1 famous garden in the southeast”.

The whole garden is divided into four major scenic areas, each of which has unique features. The garden is characterized by the ingenuous design, exquisite layout, tranquility, beauty and elegance, representing the architectural styles of gardens in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The most famous attractions in the garden include The Hall of Spring, Yuhua Hall, Lotus Pond, Mid-Lake Pavilion, Nine Zigzag Bridge, the Screen Wall Facing the Jade-like Rock and the ancient opera stage. In addition, hundreds of inscribed boards and tablets left by famous calligraphers are collected in Yuyuan Garden.

Yuyuan Garden also witnessed Chinese modern history. When the Dagger Society of Shanghai rose in rebellion in 1853, the Hall of Spring in Yuyuan Garden was used as a command post for the uprising troops in the north of the city. Today there are the Dagger Society-related historical relics like weapons, privately-minted coins and statements on display in the hall. After 1949, Yuyuan Garden was opened to the public after renovation. The gorgeous scenery and numerous relics are drawing countless tourists from home and aboard.