▲ Origins in 1848: Originally known as "Garden Lane" (Park Lane), it was officially named Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in 1865, becoming one of China's earliest commercial streets. Department Store Legend: In the early 20th century, the "Four Great Companies"—Wing On, Sincere, Sun Sun, and Da Sun—emerged, pioneering China's modern department store industry (Wing On Department Store opened in 1918; its rooftop "Qiyun Pavilion" was where the red flag was raised during Shanghai's liberation).
▲ As a long-established food enterprise in Shanghai, early employees enjoyed the privilege of accessing scarce commodities like grain, oil, meat, and eggs, granting them higher social status. Shanghai First Food Co., Ltd. was officially established on June 5, 1997, though its operations trace back to food stores during the planned economy era. Shanghai First Food Center (Shanghai First Food Store) is a renowned food retail enterprise in Shanghai, founded in 1954. It originated from the former Sun Sun Company, one of the "Four Great Companies" on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. As a subsidiary of Bright Food Group, it specializes in food retail with diverse formats including flagship stores, standard stores, and community stores. It serves as a popular destination for both Shanghai locals and visitors to purchase specialty foods.
▲ Zhang Xiaoquan, a renowned knife and scissors brand, was established in 1628 (the first year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty) and boasts a history of nearly 400 years.
▲ At the intersection of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and East Zhongshan Road (the Bund), the south and north buildings are respectively the South Building and North Building of the Peace Hotel.
▲ On the Bund viewing platform, gaze across the Huangpu River at the Lujiazui Financial and Trade District - Shanghai's skyline.
▲ The lotus pond beneath the Nine-Turn Bridge in Yu Garden is one of the core attractions of the garden, blending traditional landscape aesthetics with modern lighting techniques to offer both cultural significance and visual delight. Sculptures and Decorations in the Pond - **White Jade Lotus Fairy Sculpture**: Standing about 2.5 meters tall, this white jade sculpture draws inspiration from Jiangnan folklore, creating a poetic harmony with the lotus motifs on the bridge. - **Artificial Lotuses and Fountains**: Multiple sets of artificial lotuses are arranged in the pond, changing colors at night with LED lights. Combined with radial fountain jets, they create a dynamic "blooming lotus" effect.
▲ Gazing at the Shanghai Tower from the Nine-Turn Bridge creates a visual dialogue between tradition and modernity: Height Contrast: The low bridge structure (approximately 2.5 meters tall) forms a striking contrast with the 632-meter skyscraper, highlighting the layered beauty of the city skyline.
▲ Taihu Stone - Jade Exquisite Jade Exquisite is the treasure of Yu Garden, renowned as the "First of the Three Great Wonders of Jiangnan." It combines natural marvel and historical significance, making it an unmissable core attraction when visiting Yu Garden. **Natural Wonder**: Standing approximately 3 meters tall and weighing 3 tons, its surface is covered with honeycomb-like holes, embodying the four key characteristics of Taihu stones: "wrinkled, porous, slender, and translucent." If incense is burned beneath the stone or water is poured over its top, the mesmerizing sights of "smoke rising from a hundred holes" or "springs flowing through a hundred holes" can be observed. **Historical Legacy**: Originally a remnant stone from the Huashigang tribute of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was relocated to Yu Garden during the Ming Dynasty as part of the dowry for the Chu family's daughter. During transport, it once fell into the Huangpu River, where its natural stone base was serendipitously discovered during retrieval—a phenomenon regarded as a "match made in heaven."
▲ The Inner Garden is an important part of Yu Garden, located at the southernmost end of the garden. It was built in 1709 during the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi era and later restored in the 1950s, connecting it to the main part of Yu Garden to form a "garden within a garden" layout. Construction Background: Originally named "East Garden," the Inner Garden was funded by Shanghai gentry during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and later incorporated into Yu Garden as part of its restoration project. Scale and Design: Covering just over 2 mu (approximately 1,333 square meters), the Inner Garden features an exquisite layout with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and plants arranged in harmonious disorder, embodying the classic style of a small Jiangnan garden from the Qing Dynasty.
▲ The City Temple of Shanghai Historical Significance: Built during the Ming Dynasty, The City Temple of Shanghai is one of the city's representative Taoist temples, blending traditional architecture with folk culture. Cultural Experience: Visitors can explore the three-hall complex, learn about Taoist rituals, and experience the unique layout of "one temple with three city gods." Nearby Attractions: Adjacent to Yu Garden's commercial area, it offers a one-stop experience of old Shanghai's charm, including traditional snacks.
▲ City God Temple Tourist Area/Yu Garden Shopping Mall Food Recommendations Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (Yu Garden Branch): Crab roe xiaolongbao, expect long queues. Lvbolang Restaurant: Representative of Shanghainese cuisine, recommended dishes include osmanthus rice cake and crab roe tofu. Ningbo Tangtuan Shop: Black sesame tangyuan and pork tangyuan. Songyue Lou: Suzhou-style noodles. Qiaojiashan: Qingtuan (glutinous rice dumplings) and pork mooncakes. Dahuchun: Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns). Shopping & Souvenirs Yu Garden Shopping Mall: Concentrated shops offering silk, folding fans, chopsticks, ceramics, embroidery, pear syrup candy, White Rabbit milk candy, and more. Tonghanchun Tang: Traditional souvenirs like herbal sachets and pear syrup candy. Recommended Photo Spots: Nine-Turn Bridge and the reflection of Mid-Lake Pavilion.
