Yuyuan Garden Malls. You know it, everyone’s heard of it, and now thanks to the latest hype it’s crawling with tourists from everywhere. If you don’t know, get to know.

The whole Yuyuan Garden commercial zone is just Yuyuan plus BFC plus what­ever street you wander onto — Shiliupu Quay, Fuyou Market, Fangbang Road M., all mashed together.

Old-school Shanghai facades, Ming Dy­nasty (1368-1644) garden corners, plastic toy shops, gold bling, street snacks, pets in strollers, anime, craft markets, whatever’s trending this week, plus river views. It’s Shanghai’s all-in-one flex spot for anyone who wants to feel in the mix.

Smack in the middle of the old city, Yuyuan Garden Malls is where you go when you want temples, noodles, jade souvenirs and a selfie with a Ming Dynasty roof. This place is the all-you-can-eat buffet of Shang­hai: shops, food, gardens, ancient walls, random architecture and more tourists than sense. Back in 1995, it even made the “Top 10 New Scenic Spots” list.

The story here goes deep. We’re talking Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Tongzhi era (1862-1875), over 140 years of backstory, which basically makes this place Shang­hai’s official postcard — right up there with the Bund, shikumen houses and the ever-present qipao. Yuyuan is always in the montage.

Locals, expats, out-of-towners, everyone ends up here. There’s always someone snapping a shot, haggling for trinkets or queuing for dumplings. If you want Shanghai folk culture with a side of chaos, this is where you start.

The tricky thing about Yuyuan Gar­den Malls is that there’s no real “gate.” You just wander in and, boom, suddenly you’re out of Shanghai and in some kung fu period drama set. One second you’re dodging scooters, the next you’re sur­rounded by dark tiles, red railings and classic upturned eaves — Ming and Qing dynasties all over the place.

The trick here is the blend. Yuyuan smashes together old-school architecture with a modern retail circus, somehow pulling off “ancient” and “shop-till-you-drop” at the same time. It’s pure Shanghai: a little bit museum, a little bit market, a whole lot of weird charm.

You want the full Shanghai time ma­chine effect? Go stand on the Zigzag Bridge and count how many people are dressed in hanfu, posing like extras in a period drama. Every other person here is channeling ancient vibes, paper umbrella in hand, looking for the per­fect shot. If you have ever wanted to cosplay as a Ming Dynasty princess — or just need new profile photos — Yuyuan is your place.

Hanfu is everywhere. Walk a few meters and you’ll see someone in a rainbow robe trying to get the wind to cooperate for that perfect billow­ing sleeve moment. The mall is full of shops that will hook you up with the whole look: dress, hair, makeup and even someone to Photoshop you into a work of art. They do not mess around.

It is not just locals either.

Foreigners love this. If you have binged on too many Chinese dramas and want your own “main character” moment, get in line. Nobody leaves without at least 20 pictures and a strong urge to buy a silk fan.

Yuyuan Garden Malls is also known as the “Chinese Time-Honored Brand” in Shanghai, featuring iconic stores such as Lao Miao Gold, Yayi Gold, and Tonghanchuntang, a TCM brand established during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796) in the Qing Dynasty. These shining “golden signs” are not only well-known brands passed down from old Shanghai but also represent a rich commercial cultural history of Yuyuan Garden Malls.

Finding another commercial cen­ter in Shanghai that houses so many of these historic brands is almost impossible.

But that’s not all — far from it!

While Yuyuan Garden Malls is home to time-honored brands, clas­sic stores, delicious food, light shows and intangible cultural heritage, it doesn’t stop there. It constantly inno­vates to attract more Gen Z visitors.

From P3

By blending traditional culture with elements of Chinese fashion, pop cul­ture and the anime world, brands like Pop Mart, Shake Shack and Fascino Bak­ery have opened in the mall, infusing it with a trendy, relaxed atmosphere and establishing it as a new cultural landmark.

The mall’s cool, youth-oriented at­mosphere has made it a major draw for visitors.

According to “Meet in Shanghai” data, during the “Yuyuan Garden Malls Sum­mer Fantasy Night,” the mall’s daily foot traffic surpassed 160,000 people, with total traffic exceeding 7.5 million visitors. Over 60 percent of the visi­tors were under 35, and sales figures showed a significant increase.

Additionally, data from Jiefang Daily shows that in the first half of 2025, the commercial center saw a 41.6 percent growth in retail sales revenue, with over 20 million visitors. The proportion of young and overseas visitors signifi­cantly increased, with international visitors making up about 20 percent of the total.

When visiting Yuyuan Garden Malls, one important tip is to “visit the Chen­ghuang Temple.”

The “Chenghuang,” in English known as the “God of the City,” is a guard­ian deity of the city. The Shanghai Chenghuang Temple is said to com­memorate General Qin, who fought off Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty. After his death, a temple was built in his honor. The temple is free to visit, and you can make wishes for safety, health, studies or love. More and more foreigners are visiting the Chen­ghuang Temple these days.

Stepping out of Yuyuan Garden Malls and into the lively streets outside, you’ll find yourself at the nearby Fuyou Road Market, where you can pick up some affordable, good-quality goods.

This is Shanghai’s first small goods market adopting the Yiwu investment management model. Originally an out­door market, it was moved indoors and transformed into a regulated market in 2001.

You can find all kinds of holiday decorations, everyday items, clothing, hair accessories, jewelry, shoes, toys and more, all at reasonable prices. But be sure to haggle — prices are often higher at first, so feel free to offer a lower price and negotiate until you reach a mutually satisfying deal. This process can be quite fun.

Keep in mind that you might run into some traps. Some jewelry or jade shops may try to sell overpriced items, so don’t make any purchases on a whim.

If you continue walking for 10-15 minutes beyond Yuyuan Garden Malls, you’ll reach BFC (Bund Financial Center).

The BFC is a large-scale landmark complex that includes office buildings, shopping centers, the Fosun Founda­tion, hotels and more. It opened in December 2019 and is designed around three core elements: fashion, art and design. With a total floor area of approximately 420,000 square meters, it is located at 600 Zhongshan Rd E2 in Huangpu District.

The center consists of two 180-meter twin towers (S1, S2) in the southern section, and three riverside standalone office buildings (N1, N2, N3) in the northern section.

The Weekend Market @ BFC in this area is the most famous. It often hosts a variety of themed events and col­laborations with different IPs, making it a lively spot — especially in the evenings.

As a landmark building on the Bund, the Fosun Foundation has attracted attention since its inception. It is con­sidered an “architectural miracle” of the Bund and has drawn significant interest.

The building’s design is inspired by both classical and contemporary ele­ments. The overall concept is rooted in the structure of traditional Chinese theatrical stages.

The building’s curtain-like façade is made of multi-layered metallic “fringes,” inspired by the headpieces of traditional Chinese bridal attire and the stage curtains. In July 2023, the fa­mous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma held his solo exhibition “Kengo Kuma: Architecture for the Five Senses” at the Fosun Foundation.

In the evening, you have a fantas­tic option to explore further. You can walk toward Shiliupu Quay, enjoy the splendid night views of the Huangpu River, or hop on a “Huangpu River Cruise” to experience the beauty of both riverbanks.

Shiliupu Quay once served as the largest dock in the Far East, a pivotal point for Shanghai’s shipping industry, with a 150-year history at its peak.

Originally an industrial water trans­port dock, it was once lined with piers and served as the main hub for do­mestic passenger and cargo routes. As Shanghai’s shipping industry flourished, so did the economic de­velopment of the region, improving the lives of its residents and giving rise to the unique “dock culture” of Shanghai.

From 1853, Shiliupu Quay became China’s largest port. The 1970s and 1980s marked its heyday as a passen­ger terminal. In 2004, after a series of demolitions, the passenger services ceased, and it underwent a major transformation.

Today, it lies just north of the Bund, west of Yuyuan, and east across the river from Lujiazui. No matter the di­rection, Shiliupu Quay is strategically situated at a prime location.