Guyi Garden

The architectural style of the ancient garden is the same as the Suzhou garden, the pavilions between the bridges and the waters, and the scenery is beautiful and elegant. Guyi Garden, also known as Ancient Yi Garden, is one of the five classical gardens of Shanghai. The four others are the Drunk Pool Garden, Qiupu Garden, Zigzag Water Garden, and the well known Yu Garden.

Guyi Garden is quite large, covering 1.5ha and is divided into four main scenic areas: Yi Garden, Moonlit Bamboo Park, Flower Fragrance Park, and Crane in Stream Pond.

The ancient garden was built in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1522–1566). It was once a private house, formerly known as “Guanyuan”, taken from the “Green Bamboo” in the Book of Songs. In the eleventh year of Qing Emperor Qianlong (1746), it was renamed “Guyi Yuan”.

There are two gates in the ancient garden. The south gate is the Nanxiang wall (picture wall), the north gate is the Yiyetang. You can enter from the north and depart from the south or vice versa.

“Water” is the eternal theme of the garden. You can see the waterfowl and fish in the waterways of the ancient garden and even take a boat tour on the south bank of Guishan Lake. The reference price of an electric boat is 35 RMB/hour and for a rowboat, 20 RMB/hour.

According to the seasons, there are different flower exhibitions throughout the ancient gardens. The most famous is the summer lotus, whether it is a large lotus on the lake or a winding path. In the Lantern Festival, the Gulin Garden will also hold a light show.

Located in the south of the park, Shanghai Guyuan Garden Restaurant is very popular. There are also many street stalls on Nanxiang Old Street outside the ancient garden. The taste is good. You can also go there to eat, and visit Nanxiang Old Street to see the style of Jiangnan water town.

Entry to Guyi Garden is 12 RMB

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