Yu Yuan has a history of more than 440 years. It is the biggest Jiang Nan Style Garden(江南园林) in Shanghai. It is so much full of Chinese traditions that it is famous across the world. It has been visited by numerous Chinese and foreign including British Queen Elizabeth II, Former American President Bill Clinton, Former Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Former German President Roman Herzog. More in "All about Shanghai" http://www.allaboutsh.com/Attractions/S2.html

Loved this place for its beautiful gardens . The shops around this place are a must for those who like chinese paintings and embroidery . One must bargain . I picked up a few paintings and chinese embroidery on silk and have framed them , simply awesome .

There are a lot fancy but inexpensive staff here. Pearls, silk bags, beautifully painted funs, everything that you heard you should take home from China. Bargin really hard, if you are not sure whether you're ripped off, it is a good idea to consult alive assistance from Yoyoor, they are real China expert. With their help, I really enjoyed my shopping experience.

TASTE OF PUDDING IS IN EATING NICE AREAS ONE MUST KNOW HOW TO BARGAIN THEN AGAIN LOOKOUT AS THE DEALERS KNOWS THAT YOU ARE TOURISTS AND WILL NORMALLY NOT COMING BACK FOR REPLACEMENT OR EXCHANGES EVEN IF SOME FAULT IS FOUND THUS BE CAREFUL

it was ok the atmousphere was not the best the only thing i liked about it was what is seen in the picture but other than that it was ok

We went on a Sunday which is the busiest day for everything in China, so the line to get in was quite long. The shops surrounding the gardens were very crowded and busy as well. Many people would be put off by the crowds, but for us, that made it even better. It was exciting and unique and very beautiful. Had lunch at the tea house in the middle of the gardens. The food was outstanding. All in all an exceptional experience. FYI when shopping pay about 30-40% of the asking price on everything for sale in tourist areas, haggling is a way of life in China so don't be timid when buying.

I'm sure that it really is a lovely garden, but our tour, although guided, was an absolute nightmare. It happened to coincide with China's National Holiday Week, the Special Olympics and the Shanghai Grand Prix. It was so unbelievably crowded that it was scary. Not only were there thousands of international tourists, but many thousands of domestic visitors too. Tempers became very frayed when domestic and international tourists fought for positions to be able to see and take photos....try for a much quieter time is my advice. The sad thing is that I can only remember how awful it was, not how beautiful it was.

A good place to get taste of the older city. Get awat from all the steel and glass of the large city and see the crafts of China.

Yu gardens an experience of China shopping you will never forget! If you like to bargain with price this is the place! There are a lot of individuals selling outside the stores, stick to the stores when buying and watch as they do have counterfeit items throughout. One great place is the Funghui pearl store, they provide high quality pearls and again you can bargain the price. They count on their reputation so what you see is authentic. Reappraisal of their pearls in the US showed a very good quality and a very good deal. I have been 2x in Shanghai and I plan to visit again if I return to the city. Visits in July 2006 & 2007

These gardens are beutiful. They are tranquil and very picturesque! The price to enter the garden is quite reasonable and definately worth it! There are many nice shops outside the gardens which have nice traditional souvinirs! We spent a few hours in gardens and another day we came bach to look around the nice shops! It is a lovely intresting traditional place to visit and a mist see when traveling to Shanghai!!