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. These events may not be as big as Japan's Hanami Festival, but 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.
Gucun Forest Park
20RMB/adult, 10RMB/child
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 Sunday 20 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.
Gucun Forest Park is at 1 Huandao Lu, near Zhenhutai Lu, Baoshan district.
Shanghai Haiwan National Forest Park
50RMB for regular admission, 80RMB for the blossom festival
Fengxian is going big on spring blossoms this year, with a number of different events focused on new blooms in the area. Haiwan forest park's blossom festival promises to be one of the biggest of these, with 126 varieties of plum tree on show until the end of March. After that, the district's 'Spring Flower Festival' will continue until mid-April.
Shanghai Haiwan National Forest Park is at Haiwan National Forest Park, 1,677 Suitanghe Road, Fengxian district.
Chenshan Botanical Gardens
60RMB/adult, 20RMB/child
Shanghai's newer botanical gardens is another 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. For a full guide to the gardens click here.
Chenshan Botanical Gardens is at 3888 Chenhua Lu, near Jiasong Lu, Songjiang district.
Tongji University
Free
Tongji 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.
Tongji University is at 50 Chifeng Lu, near Siping Lu, Yangpu district.
Zhongshan Park
Free
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.
Zhongshan Park is at 780 Changning Lu, near Dingxi Lu, Changning district.