The 2025 Yuyuan Lantern Festival continues the story of “Shan Hai Qi Yu Ji” (山海奇豫记), with the theme “All Things Beautiful, All Creatures Marvelous”. This year’s festival draws inspiration from the “Jungle Chapter” of the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing (山海经), presenting the wonders of the jungle as it teems with life and mystery. The festival showcases a world full of vibrant ecosystems, mystical creatures, and boundless imagination.
The grand lighting ceremony will take place at Central Plaza with the iconic “Golden Snake Brings Prosperity” lantern installation. As part of the show, the Flower Fairy descends into the wondrous jungle, gently playing a mushroom-shaped musical instrument. This signals the beginning of the festival, as the flowers on stage slowly bloom and the entire display of lanterns gradually lights up, filling the space with a dazzling array of colors and shapes.
Basic Information about 2025 Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival
- Dates: January 1–February 12, 2025
- Lighting Hours: 16:30–22:00 (closed on New Year’s Eve)
- Ticket Purchase: Online through the WeChat Mini Program “Ticket Planet” (票星球)
- Ticket Prices:
- Weekdays (Monday to Thursday): Adults: 50 RMB, Children: 30 RMB
- Peak Days (Fridays and Holidays): Adults: 80 RMB, Children: 50 RMB
- Entrance Information: The main entrances are located at gates 2, 3, and 5, with other gates open only for exiting. Ticket sales are also available at offline points near these gates.
- Note: The Lantern Festival takes place at Yuyuan Mall, not directly inside Yuyuan Garden itself.
Transportation Tips
- Metro: Take Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Station (豫园站), Exit 7. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to Gate 2.
- Car: If you’re driving, you can park at nearby Zhujin Road (昼锦路), either in the surface parking lots or the underground lot at “Hong Kong Mingdu” (香港名都). On busier days, you may need to park along other small streets nearby. Enter through Gate 5 for the best access.
Recommended Visit Route
Follow this convenient route to ensure you don’t miss any of the most iconic displays and photo opportunities:
- Yanhai Pavilion – “The Snake Dance of Lin Sheng”
- Gate 2 – “The Door of Vitality”
- Jingrong Tower – “The Tree of Life”
- Jiushi Tower, 2nd Floor – Bird’s-eye View Photo Opportunity
- Ninghui Road – “Zhuangzi’s Butterfly Dream”
- Stop for a bowl of Suzhou-style noodles at Songyue Lou (松月楼)
- Continue straight, turn left at the end
- Central Plaza – Main Lantern “Golden Snake Brings Prosperity”
- Visit Huabao Lou (华宝楼), 3rd Floor for the “30th Anniversary Special Exhibition”
- Restrooms on the 3rd Floor of Huabao Lou – Scenic Overlook Photo Opportunity
- Nine-Curve Bridge – Jungle Paradise
- Explore the historic Old Pier Food Street (旧码头老字号美食街) featuring famous eateries such as Nanxiang Mantou (南翔馒头), Dexing Pavilion (德兴馆), Shen Dacheng (沈大成), Ningbo Tangyuan (宁波汤团), and Dahuchun (大壶春)
- Yuyuan Old Street – Lantern Alley (豫园老街 灯笼巷)
- Exit from Gate 1 and turn left
- Gate 5 – “The Gate of Prosperity”
- Gate 7 – “The Gate of Courage” and Peach Blossom Display
- Take Fangbang Middle Road (方浜中路) to the Bund BFC and experience the “Butterfly Tunnel” and the Harry Potter Winter Magic Realm
Festival Highlights and Tips
- Main Lantern Displays: The centerpiece of the festival is the grand lantern “Golden Snake Brings Prosperity”, symbolizing good luck and wealth in the new year.
- Exhibitions: The “30th Anniversary Special Exhibition” at Huabao Lou (华宝楼) showcases unique cultural artifacts and exhibits related to the history of the Lantern Festival.
- Cultural Experience: As you explore the Lantern Festival, don’t miss the chance to enjoy local delicacies at the Old Pier Food Street. Shanghai’s renowned dumplings, Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), and Suzhou noodles offer a taste of local culture.
- Peak Hours: Expect the festival to be crowded on weekends and during holidays. Arrive early to avoid the rush and capture the best photos of the lanterns.
- Photo Opportunities: Be sure to have your camera ready for the beautiful lantern displays and unique cultural installations, especially around the main areas like the Nine-Curve Bridge and Central Plaza.
