Guyi Garden, originally a private residence, was first established during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1522-1566) and […]
Guyi Garden, originally a private residence, was first established during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1522-1566) and was originally named ‘Yi Garden’, inspired by the phrase ‘green bamboo Yi Yi’ from the ‘Book of Songs’. In the 11th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (AD 1746), it was renamed ‘Guyi Garden’. The architectural style of Guyi Garden is similar to that of Suzhou gardens, with pavilions and towers nestled among small bridges and flowing water, offering a changing view with every step, exuding a simple and elegant charm.
Guyi Garden features two main entrances; entering through the south gate leads to the Nanxiang Wall (screen wall), while the north gate leads to the Yiyue Hall. Visitors can enter through the south gate and exit through the north, or vice versa, without retracing their steps. Yiyue Hall serves as the garden’s main hall, supported by camphor wood pillars and connected by paths on all sides, allowing visitors to enjoy the surrounding scenery from its center.
To the east of Yiyue Hall lies the Playful Goose Pond, and to the south of the pond stands a peculiar structure within Guyi Garden—the Jue Jiao Pavilion, which is missing the northeast corner of its four corners. Moving eastward, visitors pass through the Mandarin Duck Lake and Pine and Crane Garden to reach the Qingqing Garden, where the scene of ‘green bamboo Yi Yi’ comes to life, with ancient buildings under the bamboo groves featuring upturned eaves and corners, appearing fresh and elegant.
‘Water’ is an eternal theme in Jiangnan gardens, and visitors can observe the leisurely red carp in Guyi Garden’s waters. On the south shore of the Turtle Hill Lake in the eastern part of the garden, there is a boat dock where visitors can take electric or rowing boats to appreciate the pavilions and towers from the lake. Guyi Garden also hosts different flower exhibitions according to the seasons, with begonias in February-March, lotuses in summer, and wintersweet and narcissus in winter. The summer lotus display is particularly famous, attracting numerous photography enthusiasts with their professional equipment.
Additionally, Guyi Garden’s Lantern Festival exhibitions offer a unique atmosphere and are worth visiting. The Shanghai Guyi Garden Restaurant, located south of the garden, is the leading Nanxiang soup dumpling shop with great popularity. Outside Guyi Garden, there are many soup dumpling shops on Nanxiang Old Street, all offering delicious flavors. Visitors can also explore Nanxiang Old Street to experience the charm of Jiangnan water towns.
Opening hours are from 07:00 to 19:30 all year round. (1) From March to November, the south gate opens from 7:00 to 18:30, and the north gate from 5:30 to 19:30. (2) From December to February, the south gate opens from 7:00 to 19:00, and the north gate from 6:00 to 17:00.
Concessions are offered to seniors aged 65 and above with valid identification, free of charge; those aged 60 to 64 with valid identification, discounted. Children aged 6 and under with valid identification or under 1.3 meters in height, free of charge; those aged 6 to 18 with valid identification, discounted. Retired military officers, active-duty military personnel, and ‘three-related’ personnel with valid identification, free of charge.
Full-time university students and below with valid student IDs, discounted. Full-time, retired, and disabled fire rescue personnel (government professional firefighters) with valid identification, free of charge. Disabled veterans and active-duty military family members with valid identification, free of charge. Veterans with valid identification, discounted.
Service facilities include a parking lot: [Shanghai Guyi Garden Parking Lot] with a reference price of ¥7 per hour, located at No. 218, Hu Yi Highway, Jiading District, Shanghai, with 20 parking spaces.
