Shanghai’s Charming Neighbourhood Parks

Feeling spaced out by space-age Shanghai? It’s not all ritzy towers and grinding traffic – get an insight into the quiet, traditional way of life via an amble through Shanghai's quaint and charming neighbourhood parks.

When the weather is fine, tarry not – head to Fuxing Park in the Former French Concession. What was once Shanghai’s largest park, elegantly designed by the French in 1909 is today abuzz with everyone from seniors to kids doing choral renditions, playing instruments, ballroom dancing and flying kites. Afterwards, enjoy the FFC’s leafy streets, buzzy diners and bucketloads of heritage charm.

For the ultimate escape from the city bustle, slip into Yu Garden, also known as Yuyuan Garden, an ornamental enclave featuring waterfalls, rockeries and lush foliage. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, this divine little green patch was designed by a government officer to be a place of tranquillity for his parents to enjoy in their twilight years. Cute!

Quieter still is tranquil Guyi Garden, one of Shanghai’s oldest parks. Manicured flower beds and lotus-dotted ponds make this prettykin popular with locals but it’s mostly off the beaten track for visitors. Find your inner zen at one of the meditation pagodas, or stop at one of the traditional tea houses for a reflective cuppa cha.

As the foliage turns a palette of fiery reds, yellows and oranges, the famous Zhongshan Park is the place to go for taking in the splendid Ginkgo, Red Maple and Green Camphor trees. Verdant lawns beckon for picnicking on warm afternoons, or – if the chill has set in – retire to the perfectly positioned Lotus Eatery, an enchanting temple-like dining room of vegetarian treats.

Fuxing Park / 516 Fuxing Zhong Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6372 0662

Yu Garden / 218 Anren Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6326 0830 / 8.30pm-5pm daily

Guyi Garden / 218 Huyi Hwy / Jiading / +86 21 5912 2225 / daily / guyigarden.com

Zhongshan Park / 780 Changning Lu / Changning / & Lotus Eatery / Dingxi Lu / +86 21 6172 112 / lunch & dinner daily