Surrounding the Yuyuan Garden is the bazaar, or known as the Old Town Bazaar. Peeping through the windows, it’s easy to be dazzled by Chinese silk and beautiful jade on display and in its own right, this is one of the best places to get them. As I wonder deeper through a maze of shops and alleys within the Old Town Bazaar, my mind is picturing them during the days of Imperial China. On the go, I’m mentally replacing the Starbucks with a traditional tea house. The Haagen-Dazs around the corner I’m replacing with a traditional Chinese restaurant with locals slurping down noodles instead of ice-cream. Some traditional things still remain, such as the named business signboard on top of the store entrance, lanterns hanging everywhere and shops serving hot food. This is a really interesting place to spend additional time to explore. Not many Chinese architecture survived today because early Chinese period building materials were chiefly wood until the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty, perhaps one of the most influential imperial rule of all China established many precedents. This include moving the capital to Beijing and establishing the Forbidden City. Plenty of China’s historical landmarks are derived during this period including a big part of the Great Wall as it exists today. It’s architectural influence impacted not just China but plenty of places in Asia as the Ming also had one of the largest naval fleet and commanded influence over much of East Asia. One of the great examples of Ming architecture can be found at the Yuyuan. Gabled roofs with symbolically decorated and coloured eaves.

Jui Hong TeohJan. 16, 2018

Terrific old market bazaar area of Shanghai, filled with shops selling beautiful and traditional and more modern wares, crafts, food, and tea. The buildings are styled as traditional Chinese village buildings giving this market an awesome atmosphere.

Leonard LowDez. 12, 2017

Atmosphere was great. Not so great for bartering (store owners where pretty adamant about their prices).

Seamus MoranFeb. 16, 2018

Lovely traditional street. Very very commercial. Worth a visit though. Just behind the Bund

Dimitri DamianOkt. 6, 2017

loved this street more than Yu yuan garden itself

Togrul Yagublu TYJan. 22, 2018

Great bazaar. A mix of cheap trinkets as well as high end shops offering everything from silk and pearls to amazing ironwood carved figurines. Something for every budget. Just avoid the knockoffs being sold by the peddlers without shops or booths, that go around showing pictures of knockoff wares and repeating the never-ending mantra of 'Watch, Bag, Bag, Watch"

Alexander PaykinApr. 3, 2018

Amazing street with hundreds of shops selling both high end products and small trinkets. If you're going to multiple cities I'd recommends waiting with the souvenirs until you come here. because if there's something you're looking for, you'll find it here, for a good price.

jonas lannöMai 10, 2018

Enjoy Many Cheap Souvenir Shops From Yuyuan Garden MRT exit 1, just walk pass the small garden around 300 metre, You can find 5-10 RMB Souvenir shops i.e. Fridge magnet, key chain, chop stick, postcard etc. Reasonable cloths price i.e. ice silk dress only 25 RMB per pc, scarf 10 RMB per pc.

Kulayanee MJuni 17, 2018

Surrounding the Yuyuan Garden is the bazaar, or known as the Old Town Bazaar. Peeping through the windows, it’s easy to be dazzled by Chinese silk and beautiful jade on display and in its own right, this is one of the best places to get them. As I wonder deeper through a maze of shops and alleys within the Old Town Bazaar, my mind is picturing them during the days of Imperial China. On the go, I’m mentally replacing the Starbucks with a traditional tea house. The Haagen-Dazs around the corner I’m replacing with a traditional Chinese restaurant with locals slurping down noodles instead of ice-cream. Some traditional things still remain, such as the named business signboard on top of the store entrance, lanterns hanging everywhere and shops serving hot food. This is a really interesting place to spend additional time to explore. Not many Chinese architecture survived today because early Chinese period building materials were chiefly wood until the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty, perhaps one of the most influential imperial rule of all China established many precedents. This include moving the capital to Beijing and establishing the Forbidden City. Plenty of China’s historical landmarks are derived during this period including a big part of the Great Wall as it exists today. It’s architectural influence impacted not just China but plenty of places in Asia as the Ming also had one of the largest naval fleet and commanded influence over much of East Asia. One of the great examples of Ming architecture can be found at the Yuyuan. Gabled roofs with symbolically decorated and coloured eaves.

Jui Hong TeohJan. 16, 2018

Terrific old market bazaar area of Shanghai, filled with shops selling beautiful and traditional and more modern wares, crafts, food, and tea. The buildings are styled as traditional Chinese village buildings giving this market an awesome atmosphere.

Leonard LowDez. 12, 2017

Atmosphere was great. Not so great for bartering (store owners where pretty adamant about their prices).

Seamus MoranFeb. 16, 2018

Lovely traditional street. Very very commercial. Worth a visit though. Just behind the Bund

Dimitri DamianOkt. 6, 2017

loved this street more than Yu yuan garden itself

Togrul Yagublu TYJan. 22, 2018

Great bazaar. A mix of cheap trinkets as well as high end shops offering everything from silk and pearls to amazing ironwood carved figurines. Something for every budget. Just avoid the knockoffs being sold by the peddlers without shops or booths, that go around showing pictures of knockoff wares and repeating the never-ending mantra of 'Watch, Bag, Bag, Watch"

Alexander PaykinApr. 3, 2018

Amazing street with hundreds of shops selling both high end products and small trinkets. If you're going to multiple cities I'd recommends waiting with the souvenirs until you come here. because if there's something you're looking for, you'll find it here, for a good price.

jonas lannöMai 10, 2018

Enjoy Many Cheap Souvenir Shops From Yuyuan Garden MRT exit 1, just walk pass the small garden around 300 metre, You can find 5-10 RMB Souvenir shops i.e. Fridge magnet, key chain, chop stick, postcard etc. Reasonable cloths price i.e. ice silk dress only 25 RMB per pc, scarf 10 RMB per pc.

Kulayanee MJuni 17, 2018