Yuyuan Old Street

Why Visit Yuyuan Old Street in Shanghai?
Yuyuan Old Street, nestled in the heart of Shanghai’s ancient city center, is far more than just a tourist spot—it is a living link between Shanghai’s Ming and Qing Dynasty market culture and its modern urban vibrancy. Adjacent to Yuyuan Garden, a national cultural heritage site, this historic thoroughfare stands as a "living fossil of Shanghai’s urban culture," offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the city’s "ancient roots" without straying far from its bustling core.

What sets Yuyuan Old Street apart from Shanghai’s other landmarks? Unlike the sleek skyscrapers of Lujiazui or the Western-style buildings of the Bund, Yuyuan Old Street Shanghai preserves the authentic charm of Jiangnan (regions south of the Yangtze River) with its Ming-Qing style timber-framed shops, gray-brick and black-tile lanes, and the lively hum of local life. It is here that you can still hear vendors calling out in Shanghainese dialect, smell the aroma of traditional snacks wafting through the air, and touch the weathered brick carvings that tell stories of centuries past.

The allure of Shanghai Old Street lies in three core strengths
1. A millennium of cultural heritage: Every corner—from ancient temples to time-honored storefronts—echoes with the history of Shanghai’s transformation from a small fishing village to a global financial hub.
2. A culinary paradise of local flavors: It gathers the best of Shanghai and Jiangnan’s traditional snacks, from steamed xiaolongbao (dumplings) to sweet pear paste candy, making it a must-visit for food lovers.
3. One-stop cultural experience: Its proximity to Yuyuan Garden and the Old City God Temple allows visitors to seamlessly combine sightseeing, heritage exploration, and local life immersion—perfect for culture enthusiasts, families, and foodies alike.

The Story Behind Yuyuan Old Street
1. Origin and Development
The story of Yuyuan Old Street dates back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1559), when it gradually took shape alongside the construction of Yuyuan Garden. Commissioned by Pan Yunduan, a high-ranking official, to honor his father, Yuyuan Garden soon became a popular gathering place—and the area around it evolved into a bustling commercial district.

By the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era, Yuyuan Bazaar Shanghai (the commercial core of Yuyuan Old Street) had grown into a major trading hub for silk, local specialties, and jewelry, attracting merchants from across the country. This era left an indelible mark on the street’s layout: it retained the "one river, two streets" pattern (Houjia River, the main street of Yuyuan Old Street, and Fuyou Road) and the "shop-front, workshop-back" business model common in ancient Jiangnan. Even today, many buildings—such as the century-old Tonghanchuntang Pharmacy and Laomiao Gold—still bear the architectural traces of this prosperous period.

2. Name and Cultural Symbols
The name "Yuyuan Old Street" derives from its close connection to Yuyuan Garden. "Yu" in Chinese means "peace and comfort," a sentiment that resonates in the street’s blend of elegance (inherited from Yuyuan Garden) and liveliness (from its market culture).

Key cultural symbols of Yuyuan Old Street Shanghai include
The Nine-Zigzag Bridge and Mid-Lake Pavilion (though part of Yuyuan Garden, they are iconic backdrops for the street), where locals and tourists alike gather to take photos and enjoy the scenic views.

The Old City God Temple, a Taoist temple that has been the spiritual and commercial heart of the area for centuries, linking religious traditions with daily market life.

These landmarks are not just tourist attractions—they are repositories of Shanghai’s collective memory, evoking nostalgia for the city’s past among locals.

3. Cultural Heritage Highlights
Architectural Heritage: Yuyuan Old Street is a showcase of Ming-Qing and Republican-era architecture. Notable features include upturned eaves with carved brackets, lattice windows, and brick-carved doorways. Inside, many time-honored shops retain their original wooden counters and decorative beams—for example, Tonghanchuntang Pharmacy’s interior still displays traditional Chinese medicine preparation tools, offering a glimpse into ancient pharmaceutical practices.

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Preservation: As a key site for Shanghai’s ICH, Yuyuan Old Street is home to workshops and stalls dedicated to traditional crafts such as Shanghai paper cutting, Gu embroidery (a delicate silk embroidery technique), clay figurine making, and sugar painting. Visitors can watch artisans at work—some even offer hands-on workshops, allowing you to try your hand at Gu embroidery or sugar painting, making it a great activity for families and culture lovers.

Traditional Folk Activities: The street keeps ancient traditions alive through annual events.
The Spring Festival Lantern Festival: One of Shanghai’s most famous folk events, where the street and surrounding areas are adorned with thousands of colorful lanterns, and visitors can enjoy lion dances, dragon parades, and riddle-solving.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation Gathering: Locals gather to enjoy mooncakes, tea, and traditional music by the river, celebrating the harvest festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival Blessing: Dragon boat races are held on Houjia River, accompanied by the distribution of zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings), a traditional festival food.

Main Attractions and Experiences
1. The Main Street of Yuyuan Old Street
Stretching approximately 380 meters, the main street of Yuyuan Old Street is the beating heart of the area. Lined with Ming-Qing style buildings, it is home to over 100 shops, ranging from century-old brands to ICH workshops and snack stalls. The mid-section of the street intersects with Fuyou Road, forming a busy "crossroads" that buzzes with activity from morning to night.

2. Key highlights of the main street
Time-Honored Brands Cluster: This is where you’ll find some of Shanghai’s most famous time-honored brands.
Tonghanchuntang Pharmacy (founded in 1783): A national-level ICH site for traditional Chinese medicine, where you can watch pharmacists prepare herbal medicines and purchase high-quality herbs or health products.
Laomiao Gold (founded in 1906): A renowned local jewelry brand with a Republican-era storefront, offering gold jewelry inspired by traditional Chinese motifs (such as dragons and phoenixes).
Shaowan Sheng (founded in 1852): A famous store specializing in fermented and pickled foods (such as fermented duck and pickled vegetables), a staple of Shanghai’s culinary culture.

Handicraft Shops: Scattered along the street are shops selling traditional crafts—from delicate Gu embroidery scarves to bamboo weaving and paper-cut art. The Gu Embroidery Experience Shop, for example, offers 30-minute introductory classes, where you can learn basic embroidery stitches under the guidance of master artisans.

Vibrant Market Atmosphere: By day, the street is alive with the sound of Shanghainese vendors hawking snacks and souvenirs; by evening, red lanterns strung across the street are lit, casting a warm glow on the gray bricks and creating a romantic, ancient Jiangnan ambiance. This is the perfect time to stroll, take photos, and soak in the charm of Shanghai Old Street.

3. Core Associated Attractions (Adjacent to the Street, Must-Visit)
Yuyuan Garden: At the heart of Yuyuan Old Street lies Yuyuan Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscaping that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Covering nearly two hectares, the garden is carefully designed to create a harmonious balance between natural beauty and traditional architecture. Visitors can wander along winding stone paths and explore a series of interconnected pavilions, each adorned with intricate wooden carvings and traditional roof tiles. Small bridges cross over serene ponds filled with lotus flowers, while sculpted rockeries of various shapes and sizes create a sense of mystery and elegance. The garden also features bonsai trees, flowing streams, and quiet courtyards, offering countless spots for reflection and photography. Every corner presents a new perspective, inviting visitors to discover hidden nooks, appreciate the artistry of ancient craftsmen, and immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere. Unlike the bustling streets outside, Yuyuan Garden provides a peaceful retreat where travelers can step back in time and experience the refined beauty, cultural depth, and historical significance of old Shanghai.

City God Temple: The City God Temple, located near the center of Yuyuan Old Street, is one of Shanghai’s most important cultural and religious landmarks. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to the guardian deity believed to protect the city and its residents. Visitors can admire its classic Chinese temple architecture, including sweeping rooflines, ornate wooden beams, and intricate carvings depicting legendary stories and mythological figures. The temple complex features courtyards, prayer halls, and traditional stone inscriptions, offering a glimpse into centuries of local religious practices. Beyond its architectural beauty, the City God Temple is a living cultural site where locals come to offer incense, seek blessings, and celebrate traditional festivals. Walking through the temple grounds, travelers can experience a unique blend of spirituality and history, while also observing rituals that have been preserved for generations, making it both a peaceful retreat and an insightful window into Shanghai’s cultural heritage.

4. ICH and Folk Experience Spots
Shanghai ICH Exhibition Center (Mid-Section of Yuyuan Old Street)
This center showcases Shanghai’s ICH projects through exhibits and interactive activities. Permanent displays include tools and products from crafts like Shanghai lantern making, woodblock printing, and Longhua vegetarian food preparation. On weekends, it hosts "ICH Master Classes"—visitors can learn to make sugar paintings (molten sugar poured into shapes like dragons or rabbits) or clay figurines, making it a fun and educational experience for children.

5. Traditional Teahouse Experiences
Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse: Located in Yuyuan Garden, this teahouse offers traditional tea ceremonies (such as Gongfu tea and covered-bowl tea) and evening performances of Pingtan (a storytelling art form with music) and Kunqu opera. It’s the perfect place to relax and experience the elegance of Jiangnan’s literati culture.

Chunfengdeyi Building: A historic teahouse on Yuyuan Old Street, known for its affordable prices and casual atmosphere. Here, you can sip chrysanthemum tea while listening to local elders chat in Shanghainese.

6. Featured Scenery: Yuyuan Old Street at Night
As dusk falls (around 6 PM), Yuyuan Old Street Shanghai transforms into a magical wonderland. Red lanterns strung along the street and the outline lights of ancient buildings are turned on, casting reflections in the water of Houjia River. The Nine-Zigzag Bridge and Mid-Lake Pavilion are illuminated, creating a "night view of Yuyuan" that is iconic to Shanghai.

7. Nighttime activities on the street include
Summer Night ICH Markets: Stalls selling handmade crafts and local snacks set up along the river, accompanied by live music.
Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation Teas: Teahouses host special events where visitors can enjoy mooncakes and osmanthus tea while admiring the full moon.
Spring Festival Lantern Festival Nights: The street’s most spectacular event, with lanterns in the shape of zodiac animals, Shanghai landmarks, and traditional stories—drawing millions of visitors each year.

Photography & Instagram Spots
Yuyuan Old Street is a paradise for photographers and social media enthusiasts, offering countless visually striking scenes at every turn. The combination of traditional architecture, winding cobblestone alleys, and colorful market stalls creates endless opportunities for unique and memorable shots. Bright red lanterns hang overhead, adding a festive atmosphere and vivid contrast against the gray tiled roofs and carved wooden doors. The intricate details on pavilion eaves, lattice windows, and stone bridges provide perfect close-up subjects for capturing Shanghai’s historical charm. Visitors can also photograph the lively street scenes, including artisans demonstrating their crafts, vendors selling local snacks, and crowds enjoying the bustling atmosphere. For the best lighting, early morning visits offer soft, natural light with fewer crowds, while evenings bring a warm, golden glow that enhances the lanterns and reflections on wet stones. Every corner of Yuyuan Old Street tells a story, making it a captivating location for both professional photography and casual Instagram snapshots.

Food and Dining Recommendations
Must-Try Local Snacks
Yuyuan Old Street is renowned as Shanghai’s "snack paradise," where every stall offers a taste of traditional Shanghai and Jiangnan flavors.

1. Xiaolongbao: Xiaolongbao, also known as soup dumplings, are the most iconic snack on Yuyuan Old Street. These delicate dumplings are made with a thin, translucent dough that encases a savory meat filling and a rich, flavorful broth. They are traditionally steamed in bamboo baskets, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly while keeping the texture light and tender. Eating xiaolongbao is an experience in itself, as visitors carefully pick them up with chopsticks, dip them in a mixture of vinegar and ginger, and savor the warm, juicy broth that bursts in the mouth with every bite.

2. Pear Paste Candy: The pear paste candy from Shanghai's Yuyuan Old Street is a Shanghai specialty steeped in history, flavor, and culture. Its origins date back to the Tang Dynasty, and its local tradition began at Zhu Pinzhai in the fifth year of the Xianfeng Emperor's reign in the Qing Dynasty. Adhering to traditional techniques, it uses high-quality ingredients such as Nanhui snow pears and Anhui and Zhejiang medicinal herbs, simmered over a mulberry wood fire for six hours. Available in both medicinal and savory flavors, including Sichuan fritillary bulbs and almonds to soothe the throat and clear the lungs, and savory varieties with dozens of flavors, including mint and kumquat. It's a childhood memory for many Shanghainese and has become a symbol of Shanghainese culture thanks to rap performances like "Shanghai Xiaorehun."

3. Five-Spice Beans: The five-spice beans from Shanghai's Yuyuan Old Street are a traditional Shanghai snack and a signature feature of the city. They were first created in the 1930s by Guo Yingzhou, who successfully developed them based on his research into aniseed beans. His shop, "Guo Ji Xinglong Hao," was later renamed "Chenghuangmiao Five-Spice Beans" in 1956. They are made with green-skinned broad beans from Yuyao, Zhejiang. They are cooked in stages, using both water and sugar syrup, then seasoned with saccharin, vanilla, and other spices, and then air-dried. Their thin, flossy skin creates a unique flavor, with a hint of salty sweetness and a soft, firm texture. The saying "You haven't been to Shanghai if you haven't tried the old Chenghuangmiao five-spice beans" is widely circulated. In 2009, their production technique was recognized as a Huangpu District municipal intangible cultural heritage project.

4. Glutinous Rice Strip Cake & Frozen Glutinous Rice Ball: Glutinous Rice Strip Cake and Frozen Glutinous Rice Ball, both found on Shanghai's Yuyuan Old Street, are classic glutinous rice pastries that embody memories of old Shanghai and are emblematic of Yuyuan's snack culture. Glutinous Rice Strip Cake, made with a finely kneaded glutinous rice flour, is filled with a sweet and dense red bean paste filling. Some versions are even inlaid with a sprinkling of osmanthus flowers. It's soft and chewy, yet sweet yet not cloying, with the richness of the red bean paste and the refreshing aroma of rice filling. Frozen Glutinous Rice Ball, on the other hand, is even more delicate, featuring a similar glutinous rice wrapper but containing two fillings: a classic combination of red bean paste and sesame paste. Some establishments also add peanuts or coconut flakes, creating a rich, intertwined sweetness of both fillings. Both are traditionally handmade, emphasizing the softness of the glutinous rice and the freshness of the filling. They are a popular snack for visitors to Yuyuan and a sweet reminder of Shanghainese childhoods. With their authentic Shanghainese flavor, they have become an indispensable culinary destination on Yuyuan Old Street.

Jiangnan-Style Snacks
1. Shaoxing Stinky Tofu: Sold at stalls in the mid-section of Yuyuan Old Street. This crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside tofu is fermented and served with spicy-sweet sauce—an acquired taste, but beloved by locals.

2. Sugar Porridge: Available at the porridge stall near the Nine-Zigzag Bridge. Made from glutinous rice simmered with osmanthus syrup, it’s warm, sweet, and creamy—ideal for cool days.

Shopping and Souvenir Recommendations
1. ICH Handicrafts
Gu Embroidery: Available at the Gu Embroidery Experience Shop on Yuyuan Old Street. Choose from small items like embroidered keychains or scarves—some are hand-stitched by master artisans, making them valuable keepsakes (prices range from ¥200 to ¥5,000).
Shanghai Paper Cutting: Stalls sell paper cuttings of zodiac animals, Shanghai landmarks (like the Bund), or even custom designs with your name in Chinese characters. They are affordable (¥30-¥100) and easy to carry.
Bamboo Weaving: Handmade bamboo baskets, storage boxes, and bags are sold at small workshops. They are durable, eco-friendly, and reflect Jiangnan’s rural craftsmanship.

2. Time-Honored Specialty Products
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Tonghanchuntang Pharmacy offers high-quality herbs, bird’s nest, and health tea sets. Staff can provide advice on choosing TCM products based on your needs.
Fermented Foods: Shaowan Sheng and Wanyouquan sell vacuum-packed fermented duck, pickled vegetables, and dried seafood—great for bringing Shanghai’s flavors home.
Gold Jewelry: Laomiao Gold and Ya Yi Gold offer jewelry inspired by traditional Chinese culture (e.g., dragon-and-phoenix necklaces, zodiac pendants)—popular with tourists looking for meaningful gifts.

3. Cultural and Creative Products
Yuyuan-Themed Cultural and creative: The Yuyuan Garden exit gift shop sells items like Nine-Zigzag Bridge-shaped bookmarks, Jade Linglong-inspired mugs, and lantern-shaped keychains—perfect for remembering your visit to Yuyuan Old Street.
Shanghai City-Themed Souvenirs: Stalls sell fridge magnets of Shanghai landmarks (the Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower) and reproductions of old Shanghai calendars—great for gifting to friends.

4. Recommended Shopping Areas
There are two key shopping zones along Yuyuan Old Street, each with distinct features, product offerings and practical tips. The Main Street of Yuyuan Old Street is a focus for time-honored shops and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) workshops. It provides high-quality goods such as Gu Embroidery, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), gold jewelry and time-honored snacks. Shops here are trustworthy, with fixed prices, so haggling is not permitted. The Fuyou Road Small Commodity Market, on the other hand, is a budget-friendly souvenir spot. It offers affordable items like fridge magnets, paper cuttings and toy lanterns. Unlike the main street, prices here are negotiable, making it a good choice for buying souvenirs in bulk.

5. Shopping Tips
Authenticate ICH Products: Look for "ICH Inheritor Certification" labels on handicrafts to avoid machine-made fakes. Some workshops provide certificates of authenticity for hand-stitched Gu embroidery or hand-painted sugar art.
Check Expiry Dates: For food souvenirs like fermented duck or fresh xiaolongbao, check the expiry date. For long trips, choose vacuum-packed products and store them in a cool place.
Bargain Wisely: At Fuyou Road Market, start by offering 50% of the asking price and negotiate up—most vendors are willing to lower prices for bulk purchases.

Practical Information
1. Transportation Guide
*Metro (Recommended): Take Line 10 to "Yuyuan Station" (Exit 1), then walk for 3 minutes to reach Yuyuan Old Street. The total travel time from People’s Square (Shanghai’s city center) is about 15 minutes, with a cost of ¥3-¥5 per person.
*Bus: Take Bus 11, 26, 64, or 715 to "Yuyuan Station", then walk for 5 minutes to get to Yuyuan Old Street. It takes around 30 minutes from People’s Square (depending on traffic), and the fare is ¥2 per person.
*Taxi/Didi: Set the destination to "Yuyuan Old Street Main Entrance (Jiujiaochang Road)". During non-peak hours, the trip from People’s Square takes approximately 20 minutes, and the cost ranges from ¥30 to ¥50.
*Self-Driving: Park your vehicle at "Yuyuan Mall Parking Lot" or "Fuyou Road Parking Lot". The travel time from People’s Square is about 20 minutes during non-peak hours, and the parking fee is ¥15-¥20 per hour.
*Tips: Metro is the most convenient option—it avoids Shanghai’s traffic congestion and is affordable. On weekends and holidays, parking lots near Yuyuan Old Street fill up quickly, so avoid self-driving if possible.

2. Opening Hours & Ticket Information
2.1 Yuyuan Old Street
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day (shops operate 9:00-21:00; snack stalls operate 8:00-22:00)
Ticket Price: Free entry
Additional Notes: Most shops close at night, so the street is less lively after business hours of shops and stalls.

2.2 Yuyuan Garden
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:00)
Ticket Price: ¥40 for adults during peak seasons (April 1-June 30, September 1-November 30); ¥30 for adults during off-seasons (July 1-August 31, December 1-March 31)
Additional Notes: Children under 1.3 meters tall or 6 years old can enter for free, but they must be accompanied by an adult (one adult can bring up to three such children, and this free policy does not apply to group visits).

2.3 Old City God Temple
Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30
Ticket Price: Free entry
Additional Notes: Donations for incense are welcome, and visitors are advised to respect the religious atmosphere of the temple.

3. Best Time to Visit
3.1 Spring (March-May)
*Weather & Scenery: Mild temperature (15-25°C); osmanthus and peonies bloom in Yuyuan Garden, creating a fresh and fragrant atmosphere.
*Recommended Activities: Visit Yuyuan Garden to enjoy the blooming flowers; try spring snacks like fresh xiaolongbao at the stalls on Yuyuan Old Street.
*Key Reminders: Avoid visiting during Tomb-Sweeping Day (April), as the area tends to be extremely crowded with tourists and locals.

3.2 Summer (June-August)
*Weather & Scenery: Hot and humid (28-35°C); in the evening, red lanterns along Yuyuan Old Street are lit up, creating a romantic and traditional Jiangnan vibe.
*Recommended Activities: Take evening strolls along Yuyuan Old Street to enjoy the lantern scenery; join summer beer BBQs by the river near the street.
*Key Reminders: Bring sunscreen and a fan to cope with the heat; visit in the evening for cooler weather, as daytime temperatures can be uncomfortable.

3.3 Autumn (September-November)
*Weather & Scenery: Mild temperature (15-25°C); golden foliage covers parts of Yuyuan Garden, adding a warm and picturesque touch.
*Recommended Activities: Participate in Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation events (usually held in September or October); taste osmanthus tea at traditional teahouses on Yuyuan Old Street.
*Key Reminders: This is the most comfortable season for sightseeing, so plan more outdoor activities like exploring the street’s handicraft shops.

3.4 Winter (December-February)
*Weather & Scenery: Cold temperature (5-12°C); the Spring Festival Lantern Festival (in January-February) is held on Yuyuan Old Street, with thousands of colorful lanterns decorating the area.
*Recommended Activities: Visit the Spring Festival Lantern Festival to enjoy the festive lantern displays; eat warm snacks like sugar porridge to keep cozy.
*Key Reminders: Bring warm clothing (coats, scarves, gloves) to stay warm; arrive early for the lantern festival, as it attracts large crowds and latecomers may face long waits or overcrowding.

Daily Tips: Visit on weekday mornings (9:00-11:00) to avoid crowds. For night views, come after 17:30 when the lanterns are lit.

Visitor Tips:
*Clothing: Yuyuan Old Street has uneven stone pavement—wear comfortable flat shoes (sneakers or walking shoes). In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen; in winter, wear a warm coat and scarf (the street is mostly outdoor).
*Etiquette: When visiting the Old City God Temple, dress modestly (avoid shorts or tank tops) and speak quietly. When taking photos of artisans at work, ask for permission first—most are happy to agree.
*Emergency Services: A visitor service center in the mid-section of Yuyuan Old Street offers luggage storage, medical assistance, and tour information. There are also many banks (ICBC, Bank of China) and public toilets nearby.

Yuyuan Old Street vs. Other Shanghai Characteristic Streets
Yuyuan Old Street can be compared with three other iconic Shanghai streets—Tianzifang, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and Zhujiajiao Ancient Town—across six key aspects. In terms of core feature, Yuyuan Old Street centers on Ming-Qing market culture, ICH and time-honored shops; Tianzifang is famous for Shikumen (stone-gate) buildings and artistic shops; Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street focuses on modern commerce, century-old stores and an urban vibe; Zhujiajiao Ancient Town highlights Jiangnan water town and ancient town scenery. For suitable visitors, Yuyuan Old Street is for culture lovers, families and foodies; Tianzifang caters to young people, photographers and art lovers; Nanjing Road is for shopping lovers and first-time visitors; Zhujiajiao is suitable for vacationers and water town enthusiasts. Regarding transportation, Yuyuan Old Street is directly accessible via Metro Line 10 and close to the city center; Tianzifang is reachable via Metro Line 9 near Xujiahui; Nanjing Road is served by multiple metros (Lines 1/2/8) and located in the city center; Zhujiajiao requires taking Metro Line 17 plus a bus and is far from the city center. When it comes to dining, Yuyuan Old Street offers Shanghai snacks and time-honored restaurants; Tianzifang has Western food, creative cuisine and coffee; Nanjing Road features chain restaurants and century-old eateries; Zhujiajiao serves rural Jiangnan dishes and river food. In terms of tour duration, Yuyuan Old Street takes 2-3 hours to visit (4-5 hours if including Yuyuan Garden); Tianzifang takes 1-2 hours; Nanjing Road takes 2-3 hours; Zhujiajiao takes half a day to 1 day. For photography highlights, Yuyuan Old Street is known for Nine-Zigzag Bridge lanterns and time-honored storefronts; Tianzifang for Shikumen lanes and artistic shop windows; Nanjing Road for urban neon and century-old building facades; Zhujiajiao for water town bridges and river boats.

Conclusion: The Unique Charm of Yuyuan Old Street, Shanghai
Yuyuan Old Street is more than just a commercial street—it is a living museum of Shanghai’s cultural heritage. Here, you can wander through lanes lined with Ming-Qing buildings, taste snacks that have delighted locals for centuries, watch artisans keep ancient crafts alive, and join in traditional festivals that connect the past to the present.

What makes Yuyuan Old Street Shanghai truly special is its authenticity: it is not a "reconstructed ancient street" but a place where locals still shop, eat, and celebrate. You’ll see elderly residents chatting over tea in teahouses, parents taking their children to try sugar painting, and artisans selling their crafts just as their ancestors did.

Whether you’re a foodie chasing authentic Shanghai flavors, a culture lover eager to explore ICH, a photographer seeking ancient Jiangnan scenery, or a traveler looking to understand Shanghai’s roots, Yuyuan Old Street offers an experience that lingers in your memory. It is a reminder that beneath Shanghai’s modern skyline lies a rich, centuries-old history—and that some of the city’s most precious treasures are just a metro ride away.

For anyone wanting to discover the real soul of Shanghai, Yuyuan Old Street is not just a place to visit—it is a must.

Tour Yuyuan Old Street with Your Way Holiday
We will provide a private & spacious car and a local professional tour guide with over 5 years guiding experience only work for you or your group. You will be escorted during your tour. Transport, ticket, and dining (At some local restaurants popular with locals) all we will arrange for you according your requirements. Please check our most popular Shanghai Tours including Yuyuan Old Street as below: 

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