Just visited the Shanghai Yuyuan Lantern Festival, here are some thoughts:

How to get rid of the workday blues in Shanghai - Visit the Yuyuan Lantern Festival with friends after work I saw many foreigners at the festival, and they all looked amazed. I felt so proud! 🏮 2025 Yuyuan Folk Art Lantern Festival Theme: Zhuang Zhou's Dream of a Butterfly Dates: January 1–February 12, 2025 (closed on New Year's Eve) Opening hours: 16:00–22:00 (lanterns light up at 16:30) 💰 Tickets Search for "2025 Yuyuan Folk Art Lantern Festival" to buy tickets. Don't buy tickets for Yuyuan Garden by mistake. You can also buy tickets at the entrance, so there's no need to buy in advance or make a reservation. You don't need a ticket to enter during the day. On regular days, you must enter before 3:30 pm, and on peak days, you must enter before 1:30 pm. You'll have to stay inside for a long time, haha. 🚘 Transportation Subway: Line 10/14 to Yuyuan Station, Exit 7 Driving: Navigate to "Yuyuan Parking Lot," parking is CNY 10/hour ✅ Suggested route Buy drinks at Chaori Weipin > Yuyuan Gate 5 (ticket check) > Ninghui Road - Zhuang Zhou's Dream of a Butterfly > Central Square - Golden Snake > Zigzag Bridge - Jungle Paradise > Yuyuan Old Street > Blue Lantern Corridor > Golden Square - Tree of Life ✅ Main attractions Ninghui Road - Zhuang Zhou's Dream of a Butterfly: The blue and green colors are dreamy. Central Square - Golden Snake: To be honest, the snake is a bit ugly. Zigzag Bridge - Jungle Paradise: Various mythical beasts, very impressive! Golden Square - Tree of Life: The green, blue, and multicolored lights alternate, very dreamy. ✅ Some tips 1. If you want to avoid the crowds, go later. I went in after 8 pm and finished by 10 pm. It only takes about an hour, and there are fewer people, so you don't have to wait in line for photos. The experience is much better. 2. I recommend wearing white or red. I decided to go with a friend after work on a whim, so I didn't have time to dress up.