Though officially part of Huangpu District, Shanghai Old Town immediately lies south of downtown and the Bund, between the Huangpu River and Xizang Nan Lu and is often considered its own neighborhood because as the old Chinese city. It was different in every way from the western concessions. Todays old Chinese city (or Old Town) includes the Old Town Bazaar with its traditional shopping, Yu Yuan (Yu Garden), Shanghais old city wall, and the Confucian Temple.

Yuyuan Garden

maybe the most celebrated classical Chinese garden in Shanghai, is located in the northeast part of the old town and has an area of fives acres. Boasting a history over 400 years, expresses the quintessence of South China landscape design from Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is acknowledged as an architectural miracle in the region southeast of the Yangtze River.

There are more than 40 scenic spots scattered throughout the garden. The Five-dragon-wall subdivides the garden into six spots including the Grand Rockery, Ten Thousand-Flower Pavilion, Hall of Heralding Spring, Hall of Jade Magnificence, Inner Garden, and Lotus Pool.

In 1853, it once served as the seat of the Xiaodao Hui, the Society of Little Swords, who led an uprising against Qing rule and occupied Shanghai for 17 months. Today, weapons and coins made by the Xiaodao Hui are exhibited in this hall.

It used to be a maze of tiny alleys, but the streets have been widened in recent years and are crowded with tourists. There, you can experience the ancient prosperous metropolis.