Yuyuan Garden Turns into Anime Fantasy Land for Summer Nights

The historic lanes and curved rooftops of Yuyuan Garden Malls have a new look this summer – giant anime characters hovering over lotus ponds, glowing lanterns shaped like spirit cats, and AR (augmented reality) dragons leaping from your phone screen when you point it at the iconic Zigzag Bridge.

The Grand Yuyuan Summer Fantasy Night Festival opened on Friday and runs until August 23. Entry to the malls' outdoor areas is free.

The festival brings four hit Chinese anime series from video platform Bilibili into the old town's traditional architecture.

Characters from "Heaven Official's Blessing," "The Legend of Hei," "Link Click," and "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" appear as large installations throughout the malls' alleys, bridges, and courtyards.

At the Zigzag Bridge, an AR feature lets visitors use their phones to see anime characters appear over the water.

At night, visitors can pick up custom-designed lanterns at the entrance and explore the lit-up lanes in what organizers call a "night dungeon walk."

The festival also runs east along Fuyou Road to the BFC Bund Finance Center, where 32 oversized yellow Butterbear sculptures have taken over Fengjing Road, and a waterside DJ stage has been set up in the north section.

Several of Yuyuan's long-established restaurants have created anime-themed menus.

The Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse and Chunfeng Songyuelou are serving collaboration sets tied to "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality." The Ningbo Dumpling Restaurant has transformed into a themed dining space for "Link Click."

Shanghai Classic Hotel has decorated its dining room with scenes from "Heaven Official's Blessing" and added themed dishes. The Lubolang Restaurant has adapted its signature butterfly pastry to look like the silver butterfly character from the same anime.

More than 10 shops are participating in a stamp-collection trail. Visitors who collect stamps from participating stores unlock discounts at over 30 outlets across the malls.

A full-cast anime cosplay parade will march through the malls on July 11, kicking off the summer highlights.

Around July 22, coinciding with the Major Heat solar term, the venue will host a traditional incense sachet craft workshop. The session is part of an ongoing series pairing intangible cultural heritage crafts with anime themes.

In early August, a Qixi festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, temple fair will combine traditional customs with anime aesthetics.

If you go:

Duration: Through August 23

Admission: Free

Site: Yuyuan Garden Malls

Address: 265 Fangbang Road M., Huangpu District 黄浦区方浜中路265号

Public Transport: Line 10 or Line 14 to Yuyuan Garden Station (Exit 1)