Most parks in Shanghai are pretty places to hang out in when spring flowers are coming into bloom, and several even go all out in the blossom stakes by holding dedicated festivals. While these events may not be as big as Japan's Hanami Festival, the blooms on display in Shanghai still draw significant crowds to smell the flowers and snap a quick sakura selfie. Here are some of the best spots in town to see the blossoms this season.
Chenshan Botanical Gardens
Shanghai's newer botanical gardens is a top place to view blossoms this spring. The sprawling site in Songjiang district isn't hosting a dedicated festival this year due to crowd control issues, but you can nevertheless expect significant hordes at peak times for their pretty pink flowers. Fortunately, the gardens are big enough for it not to feel too crowded.
3888 Chenhua Lu, near Jiasong Lu, Songjiang district. 60RMB; 20RMB (child).
Shanghai Botanical Gardens
The city’s original botanical gardens have imported cherry varieties from all over the country as well as sakura plants from Japan in previous years and while there's often a hefty additional entrance fee to gain access to the blossoms, the park is a pleasant space to while away a few hours when the sun shines. Plans for 2016 are still yet to be announced; check back here soon.
1111 Longwu Lu, near Baise Lu, Xuhui district. 15RMB.
Gucun Park
Gucun Park, accessible from the Line 7 metro stop of the same name, is a prime location to view new flowers this season. They're aiming to cash in on the blossoms' popularity by throwing their annual 'Blossom Festival' that runs from Friday 18 March to Wednesday 15 April. Last year saw Gucun Forest Park (entry 20RMB) set up 41 special ticket windows, 500 toilet cubicles, 5,400 car parking spaces, and negotiate a more frequent metro train service for their Line 7 stop during peak times due to the huge popularity of their Cherry Blossom Festival. You can expect similar hordes this time around, so it’s worth picking your visiting time carefully.
1 Huandao Lu, near Zhenhutai Lu, Baoshan district. 20RMB; 10RMB (child).
Lu Xun Park
One of the city's oldest public gardens, the brilliant Lu Xun Park is a firm Time Out favourite with myriad dances, live music performances and exercise groups to be found throughout the landscaped grounds. And now you have one more reason to go there - inside the park there's a small spring blossom garden where you can enjoy the blooms for free.
2288 Sichuan Bei Lu, near Dong Jiangwan Lu, Hongkou district. Free.
Tongji University
The university's main campus in the traditional college district of Shanghai is a wonderfully leafy spot throughout much of the year, but during the spring it also becomes home to picturesque blossom-lined streets that are open to the public and students alike to wander along. Expect them to be at their peak from late March to mid-April.
50 Chifeng Lu, near Siping Lu, Yangpu district. Free.
Zhongshan Park
Another of our favourite green spaces in the city, Changning's Zhongshan Park is also one of the top places to view spring blossoms. It's also another free option, with the blooms viewable from a stroll along the main path that runs the circumference of the park. If the sun is shining, there's also a great central stretch of grass that's one of the few in the city you're actually allowed to sit (or run about) on.
780 Changning Lu, near Dingxi Lu, Changning district. Free.
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