Sheshan National Forest Park, nestled in the southwest suburbs of Shanghai within Songjiang District, is renowned for its verdant pine and bamboo forests and picturesque landscapes. The park encompasses not only the popular Dong Sheshan and Xi Sheshan but also twelve peaks, such as Tianma Mountain and Xiaokunshan. Despite their modest height, these peaks are a sought-after destination for hiking, leisure, and spring outings, given the rarity of mountainous areas in Shanghai.
In its heyday, each mountain boasted ‘ten scenes’ or ‘eight scenes’ named by literati across various dynasties, with renowned gardens, villas, pavilions, and towers scattered throughout. There were also numerous temples and Taoist monasteries, housing as many as 1048 rooms, reflecting the flourishing state of Buddhist affairs at the time. The famous traveler Xu Xiake visited the area on five occasions. Regrettably, these historical relics and scenic spots faded after the early Qing Dynasty. Since 1993, efforts have been made to restore some old scenic spots and construct new ones.
Xi Sheshan Garden stands out among the Sheshan peaks for its superior environment and expansive area. At the northern peak, the Sheshan Catholic Church showcases a blend of architectural styles from around the world: Romanesque arched ceilings and aisles, Greek columns, Gothic spires, an Israeli olive-shaped bell tower, a Spanish small dome on the east end, and Chinese clear water walls, angular bricks, and colored glaze tiles, all contributing to the building’s grandeur.
On the southern peak, the Sheshan Observatory, established by Jesuit priests in 1900 during the 26th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign, now hosts a new observatory that serves as a hub for astronomy enthusiasts during celestial events, while the old observatory remains open to visitors. The park also features the Sheshan Monastery on the southwest foothills and the Sheshan Zhongshan Virgin Mary Church on the mountain’s southern side.
Dong Sheshan Garden includes a Hundred Birds Garden, where visitors can purchase bird feed and engage with the birds up close. Original historical spots on the mountain, such as the Wooden Fish Stone, Qilong Weir, Feixiang Spring, Mei Gong Fishing Rock, and Bai Shi Mountain Pavilion, have been restored, and new attractions related to bamboo culture have been added. The new forest bathhouse introduces leisure activities like Qigong therapy, ethnic bamboo buildings, bamboo mazes, and barbecue picnics, offering visitors a variety of experiences beyond hiking and sightseeing.
The park’s operating hours are from 08:30 to 17:00 from May 1st to October 7th, and from 08:30 to 16:30 from October 8th to April 30th. Dong Sheshan Garden, located at No. 9511, Waiqingsong Highway, opens from 6:30 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00. Service facilities include mobile phone charging stations with power bank rentals, nursing rooms, leaf-shaped toilets, and vending machines at the scenic area’s entrance.
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