Yuyuan Carden was built during the reign of Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (1577), and it has a history of over 400 hundred years. It used to be a residential garden built by Pan Yunduan, minister of finance in Sichuan Prooince in the Mig Dynasty. Pan built the garden to “please his parents and let them enjoy themselves in their late years”. In ancient Chinese “yu” means “pleasing”, hence the name of the garden.

The garden is typical of the gardening art south of Yangtze River and is famed as “a wonder of beauty in south-east China”. At the end of the Ming Dynasty the garden was deserted. It was rebuilt in the 25th year of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1760). In the 19th century, during the Opium War, the beautiful garden was badly damaged. After 1949, the municipal government renovated the garden several times. It was opened to the public in 1961.

On entering the gate, you will come face to face with the Three Corn-ear Hall. Standing in the hall and looking up, you will see a horizontal plaque with the characters “Mountains and Forests in the City”, describing the environment of the garden being located in the midst of a bustling town yet full of the natural pleasantness of mountain and forests. Going through the “Hall of Viewing the Mountain” you can see a large rockery on the other side of a pond. It is 12-m high, piled up with 2,000 tons of yellow stones, full of twists and turns, looking magnificent and enchanting. The Inner Garden was built in the 48th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1708), occupying only an area of 0.13 hectare but complete with all the rockeries, ponds, halls, chambers, pavilions and terraces, crenelated walls and corridors, cleverly arranged and proportionately laid out. In front of the Hall of Jade Magnificence in the Outer Garden are 3 stone peaks; in the middle of these is the Exquisite Jade Stone. It is one of the famous exquisite stones south of Yangtze River, the other two being the Duanyun Peak in Suzhou and the Wrinkled Peak in Hangzhou. It is 3.2-m tall. In the stone are 72 holes. If you burn incense at the bottom, smoke will come out from all the holes; if you pour water from the top, there will be water dripping from all the holes. In the garden there are such famous tourist attractions, like the Happy Fish Waterside Pavilion, a Thousand Flower Hall, the Hall of Mildness, the Hall of Elegance, the Nine-zig Bridge, the lotus pond, and the Mid-lake Pavilion. This classical garden, integrating the gardening art of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with chambers and halls, beautiful rockeries, luxuriant trees and plants, is featured by its gracefulness and peacefulness, delicateness and exquisiteness, small but striking you as large, presenting the artistic styles of gardens south of Yangtze River. It deserves the fame of a masterpiece of classical gardens. It is listed as a key cultural relic protected by the state and a popular tourist attraction for both domestic and overseas tourists.

Shanghai Yuyuan Garden Travel Tips

Admission Fee: CNY40

Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30

Introducing Shanghai Huangpu River, Shanghai Huangpu River Guide, Shanghai Huangpu River Travel Guide
Article from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Tourism

The Shanghai Huangpu River is the mother river of Shanghai. Nanpu Bridge, Yangpu Bridge and Oriental Pearl TV Tower compose of a huge picture scroll. The Bund is the cultural section of Shanghai that best represents the blending of ancient and modern influences. This renowned waterfront district is the mother river of Shanghai. Nanpu Bridge, Yangpu Bridge and Oriental Pearl TV Tower compose of a huge picture scroll. The Bund is the cultural section of Shanghai that best represents the blending of ancient and modern influences. This renowned waterfront district of the Shanghai Huangpu River is the city's most famous landmark. Local people honor the Huangpu River as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand why.

Between the stately colonial edifices along the Bund, the glittering skyscrapers on the eastern shore of Pudong, and the unceasing river traffic, there is plenty to keep your eyes from ever resting. Besides offering a privileged view of the bridges that span the Huangpu, the cruise boats also offer an excellent view of the famous colonial-era buildings that make up the Bund, buildings such as the Peace Hotel with its unique pyramid roof in blazing green and the Customs House with its large clock tower.

The main ticket office of the Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise is opened daily, and the schedule usually includes a full morning cruise (from 9am to 12:30pm) and a full afternoon cruise (from 2 to 5:30pm). Both these full cruises make a complete circuit of the Shanghia Huangpu River to its mouth. The Shanghai Huangpu River cruise company also offers a night cruise from 7 to 9pm, splendid when the lights are on the Bund and Pudong, but this voyage does not go downriver to the Yangtze. Cruise schedules vary depending on the season, and on weekends additional cruises are sometimes added.

Quick Facts on Shanghai Huangpu River

• Name: Shanghai Huangpu River
• Location: 153 Second South Zhongshan Road
• Phone: +86-21-63744461 
• Dates: Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC)
• Best Time to Visit: At evening
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
• Opening Hours: All day
• Admission Fee: Free
• Ferry: CNY 100

The 5.5-km long Nanjing Road is the most bustling and prosperous street inShanghai and famed as China’s No 1 Shopping street. It was first built in 1851. Formerly it was a country path in the fields running east-westward from the Bund to Henan Road. In 1853 the Fuli Company was opened here. In 1851, 14 firms like the Waston, Lao Deji Pharmacy; 9 cotton and woolen fabrics store were set up. Along with the development of the city and the import of large quantities of foreign merchandise commerce, Nanjing Road had experienced rapid developing. Hundreds of big stores and famous shops were opened one after another. With the opening of five department stores, Wing On, Sincere, Sun Sun, Dai Sun and China Chinese Goods, the colorful and brightly lit Nanjing Road became the most bustling commercial street in Shanghai and in the whole country.

Since 1949, it has been totally remolded and the newly rearranged Nanjing Road has become the centre of Shanghai’s busy downtown. Here, one will find hundreds of modern malls, famous old-brand stores and special product shops. It has become the largest collecting and distributing centre of retail goods and an information centre. The every-day visitor flow here reaches over a million person/times. At night, lights glitter in blazing colors, especially at weekends; it becomes a pedestrian walkway for shopping and sightseeing. Nanjing Road, with its magnificent building, shops standing in rows upon rows, bustling street scene and brilliant night view, is worth of its reputation as “China’s No 1 Shopping Street”. On Oct. 1, 1999, “China’s No 1 Shopping Street” was opened as a 24 hour pedestrian walkway extending from Henan Road to Xizang Road. On the northern side of the straight road there is a continuous “golden belt”, collecting artistic sketches, flower-beds and bus-waiting stands, forming a number of movie-like picturesque scenes under the sun light. Shanghai No 1 Department Store, Hualian Commercial Building, and New World Department Store will keep their characteristics of department stores, while the other shops will be turned into “one shop, one commodity”. At the same time, facilities for catering, leisure and recreation will be increased to make Nanjing Road a pedestrians walkway "graceful in the eastern section, special in the middle section and prosperous in the western section".

Shanghai Nanjing Road Travel Tips

Admission Fee: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours (shops open from 09:00-21:00)

Shanghai Bund is a symbol of Shanghai. The best attraction of the Bund lies in its blocks of antique and graceful buildings. They were not designed by the same architect nor built at the same times, yet they harmonize in architectural tone and the outlines were treated so co-coordinately that no matter you walk in front of them or look at them in a distance, they all present you an air dignity, elegance, magnificence and strength. The majority of the buildings belong to the style of “restoration to the ancients” and eclecticism, except the Sassoon House (now Peace Hotel) and theBroadway Mansions (now Shanghai Mansions), which belong to the early modernist school. When you take a walk along the embankment, you will see pointed Gothic roofs, arches of ancient Greece, Baroque columns, Spanish balconies, displaying before you the rich flavor of foreign lands, so unique and attractive. When night falls and lights are on, the buildings are immersed in a sea of brilliance, each glittering like a crystal palace. Watching form the other side of the river, you will see a dazzling picture like a scene in a magnificent epic. The Bund is worthy of its name as “a gallery of international architectures”.

Shanghai Bund Travel Tips

Admission Fee: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Shanghai is the largest city in China with a population of over 23 million. Though the Muslim population in Shanghai is only 60,000, there are still many Mosques and Halal restaurants in Shanghai. IslamiChina has summarized the following Shanghai Muslim travel tips to our Muslim brothers and sisters to travel around Shanghai during a short period of time.

Tour Itinerary Planning

For Muslim Business Travelers

If you are a Muslim and you are on business here in Shanghai and you have one day off to tour around Shanghai, we suggest to arrange a visit to Bund and nearby Nanjing Road, the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower offers a great view of both Shanghai’s Bund and new Pudong area, the Yuyuan Garden is a nice place to enjoy traditional Chinese gardens, the Bazaar outside Yuyuan garden is worth visiting. once the tour is over, you may join the local Muslims at Xiaotaoyuan Mosque for Salat prayer.

For Muslim leisure travelers

3 Days and 3 Nights Shanghai Muslim Tour is the best choice for Muslim leisure travelers because this tour itinerary allows you to have enough time to know both Shanghai’s culture heritages as well as Muslim heritages. You are not in a hurry to get around Shanghai from one place to another. Please check IslamiChina’s Shanghai Muslim Tour 3 Days for details.

Accommodations

For Muslim travelers, the most convenient way is to stay at hotel which offers Halal food. Here is IslamiChina’s suggestion for hotels in Shanghai.

4-star Shanghai Pearl Hotel

The 20 story high Shanghai Pearl Hotel is invested by Shanghai Ethnic and Religious Affair Commission. The Shanghai Pearl Hotel has Halal restaurants available and many Islamic organizations from abroad.

Halal Restaurants

The most famous Halal restaurant in Shanghai is Hongchangxing Halal Restaurant which was established in 1891. Hongchangxing Halal restaurant is known for its delicious Mutton Hot Pot. In Shanghai, you can also find various Halal flavor food from around the World; Turkish Restaurants, Arabian Restaurants, Southeast Asian Restaurants. Xinjiang Uygur Halal restaurants can be found in many places in Shanghai, among which, Afunti Restaurant which is located near Silk Road Hotel serves authentic Xinjiang Uygur food. Another commonly seen Hall food in Shanghai is Lanzhou Beef Noodles.

Mosques

There are over 6 mosques located in both urban and suburban areas of Shanghai. Shanghai Songjiang Mosque which is located in the suburban area of Songjiang county is the oldest mosque in Shanghai area. Built during the Yuan Dynasty about 900 hundred year ago, Songjiang Mosque is in traditional Eastern China’s architecture. Songjiang Mosque is about 40km from the city center area of Shanghai. Shanghai Xiaotaoyuan Mosque is where Shanghai Islamic Association located. It is in the center of Shanghai and it can be easily reached by local buses and taxi.

Money Exchange

You can exchange traveler's checks or cash at most banks, and most 5-star and 4-star hotels always have a money exchange counter. You can also get a cash advance on your credit card on ATM machine. The exchange rate all over China are the same fixed by Bank of China. To change money, you have to have your passport at hand. If you want to change money in a hotel, you usually have to be a guest there. Sometimes if you are not a guest in a hotel but need to change money there, you can just say a random room number, but this doesn't always work. Remember to keep the exchange slip well because you need this slip to change the Chinese Yuan back to your currency if you do have this need at the end of the tour. At present ,the RMB is not exchangeable on the International market, so it is only usable within the country. So when you are changing money, don't change too much, because it is difficult to change back into other currencies. To change RMB back into your home currency, you must retain the exchange slips that are given to you at the bank or money exchange counter.

Shanghai has been famed as "the Shopping Paradise" and "the Oriental Paris' in history. Visitors come to Shanghai with a purpose of appreciating the beautiful urban scenery, as well as shopping in its various kinds of shops and stores. Nanjing Road, China's No.1 Commercial Street is a must for all visitors;Huaihai Road, an elegant and cultural commercial street, attracts thousands of young people who search for the latest fashion trends; and Sichuan Road, a popular commercial street, is specially favored by the working classes. In addition, the modern Xujiahui Commercial Town, the traditional Yu Yuan Bazaar, and the Kerry Ever Bright City near the exit of the Shanghai Railroad Station are all prime locations for avid shoppers. The shopping tour in Shanghai has become an important part of the city’s urban style tourism.

Shanghai Nanjing Road

The 5.5-km long Nanjing Road is the most bustling and prosperous street in Shanghai. It was first built in 1851. Formerly it was a country path in the fields running east-westward from the Bund to Henan Road. In 1853 the Fuli Company was opened here. In 1851, 14 firms like the Waston, Lao Deji Pharmacy and others and 9 cotton and woolen fabric stores were set up. Along with the development of the city and the import of large quantities of foreign merchandise commerce, Nanjing Road experienced rapid developing. Hundreds of big stores and famous shops were opened one after another. With the opening of five department stores, Wing On, Sincere, Sun Sun, Dai Sun and China Chinese Goods, the colorful and brightly lit Nanjing Road became the most bustling commercial street in Shanghai and in the whole country. Now the newly paved Nanjing Road has become the centre of Shanghai’s busy downtown. Here, one will find modern malls, famous old-brand stores and special product shops. It has become the largest collecting and distributing centre of retail goods in Southeast China. The every-day visitor flow here reaches over a million person/times. At night, lights glitter in blazing colors, especially at weekends; it becomes a pedestrian walkway for shopping and sightseeing.

Shanghai Huaihai Road

Huaihai Road was formerly named Avenue Joffre. The 6 kilometer long street is a bustling but elegant street and can be compared to Ave. des Champs Elysees in Paris, the Fifth Avenue in New York, the Ginza in Tokyo, Wujie Road inSingapore. There are over 400 modern shops on the most prosperous section of Huaihai Road (from Shaanxi Road toXizang Road which is a 2.2 kilometers long). Huaihai Road, with shops mainly selling top brand-name commodities, are well known for its elegance. The street is dotted with a number of large shops like the Huating Esetan, the Paris Spring and the Shanghai No.2 Yongxin Department Store. Huaihai Road is popularly known as "The Street of Fashion in Shanghai

Nanjing Road, with its magnificent building, shops standing in rows upon rows, bustling street scene and brilliant night view, is worth of its reputation as “China’s No 1 Shopping Street”. On Oct. 1, 1999, Nanjing Road (from Henan Road to Xizang Road) became a 24_hour pedestrian walkway. On the northern side of Nanjing Road there is a continuous “golden belt”, collecting artistic sketches, flower-beds and bus-waiting stands, forming a number of movie-like picturesque scenes under the sun light. Shanghai No 1 Department Store, Hualian Commercial Building, and New World Department Store are some of the big department stores in Shanghai.

Shanghai Chenghuangmiao Market

Shanghai Chenghuangmiao Market is located in Shanghai's old town surrounded by ancient buildings with traditional Chinese architecture. The complex consists of sightseeing and shopping areas. It is known as a "paradise for tourists" to get handicrafts, small commodities and to try the Shanghai local snacks. The shopping area has expanded from its former 18,000 square meters to 80,000 square meters. The shops here used to be known in the past as "a kingdom of small commodities”. Now the market also sells large and medium commodities and it is specially known inShanghai for the complete collection of tourist souvenirs with local feature. The newly erected buildings are featured of "antique exterior but modern interior” harmonizing with the original scenic sights and offsetting each other.

Shanghai Qipu Road Clothing Market

Qipu Road market offers a massive number of men’s wear, women’s wear and children’s wear. From jackets and scarves to bags, shoes and wigs, you will find them all here. Although it’s more focused on wholesale, you’ll still have the chance to grab the latest fashion at extremely low prices, providing you’re good at bargaining.

Qipu Road is now the largest whole sale and retail clothing market in Shanghai and it is also quite famous inSoutheast China. It has a history of over 100 years of selling clothing. In 1876, there was a hat shop opened on Qipu Road and it was the very first fashion shop on this road. Many clothing shops were opened on this road later and1930’s Qipu Road already became a pretty famous clothing market in Shanghai.

Since 1990, many retail and wholesale shops have been opened at Qipu Road area: along Henan North Road, ShanxiNorth Road, Fujian Road and Zhejiang Road. Currently, daily visitors to Qipu Road are between 20,000 and 25,000.

Shanghai Dongtai Road Antique Market

Shanghai Dongtai Road Antique Market is famous for its antiques (both real and fake, as a matter of fact, it is getting hard now to find real antiques here), and is a destination that should not be missed on any trip to Shanghai. Dongtai Road is an open market about 200 meters long with about 125 stores opened on both sides of the road. The "antique" stalls sell some interesting items among the inevitable Mao memorabilia, including ceramics, porcelains, copper wares, jade, ancient coins, old Shanghai poster advertisements, pocket watches, paintings and a host of other collectibles. Those planning on shopping here should be sure to bargain. Since there are lots of tourists both from China and from abroad, those antique store owners are very adept at soaking out the highest possible sale price. Many stalls sell many of the same and/or similar items, so shop around for the best price.

Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market

Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market was opened on April 15, 2006 after the Dongjiadu Lu market was closed. It isShanghai’s top spot for raw textile goods and made-to-order garments. Shanghai has been long famed as a popular place for tailor made clothing in China. The South Bund Fabric Market has all of Shanghai's best tailors under one roof.Almost every stall has its own tailor who can whip up whatever you want in about a week. Wade through the mountains of fabric perfect for a design of your own creation or for the numerous samples provided. The tailors here can create custom made suits, dresses, coats and jeans; in fact they will pretty much create anything you could want at very low price which depends on your bargaining skill.

Shanghai Xujiahui Commercial City

Xujiahui Commercial City, located in the southwestern part of Shanghai, with Xujiahui Square as its center, occupies an area of 1.2 square meters. It has been built in three stages with over 100 highrises and a total floor of 2,000,000 square meters, among which 500,000 square meters are commercial facilities. At present, the commercial city is almost complete in scale, with a number of well-known shopping malls, restaurants and hotels, like the Oriental Shopping Center, Pacific Department Store, Shanghai No.6 Department Store, Zhongxing Department Store, Huilian Commercial Building, Bainaohui (Center of computers), Metro City, Jianguo Hotel and Huating Hotel, all equipped with up-to-date commercial facilities. At Xujiahui Commercial City visitors may experience the unique atmosphere of an oriental metropolis.