A Stroll Through Shanghai’s Minhang Sports Park, Songjiang Fangta Park, and Zui Bai Chi Park

In the afternoon, I left the park at 2 PM, got in my car, and went to Zui Bai Chi […][...]

In the afternoon, I left the park at 2 PM, got in my car, and went to Zui Bai Chi Park. It’s not far away, just 2 kilometers. There were not many people, and entry was without reservation, with tickets purchased based on a health code. I haven’t been here for more than 30 years, and my memory is still in the 1980s.

Zui Bai Chi Park is one of the five classical gardens in Shanghai and a tourist attraction in Shanghai. The park has a history of nearly a thousand years. The park is lush with ancient trees, densely populated with pavilions, and has many historical sites. Its winding railings, crossbeams, corridors, and winding paths are all antique in style.

There are five classical gardens in the Shanghai area, namely Shanghai Yu Garden, Jiading Guyi Garden, Qiuxia Garden, Qingpu Qushui Garden, and Songjiang Zuibaichi. Among the five gardens, Zuibaichi is the oldest one. The strange stone Guanyin with dripping water is vivid. Take a rest in the pavilion by the lake for a while and walk towards the Zuibaichi Garden.

Passing through the courtyard here is the real Zuibaichi. Ancient trees soar into the sky, lush and green. There are small bridges and flowing water, and winding paths lead to secluded places. The buildings in the courtyard have black tiles and white walls, which are classical and elegant.

In Zuibaichi – the three characters of “Zuibaichi” on the plaque in the hall are the calligraphy works of Mr. Cheng Shifa, a master of traditional Chinese painting from this area. The style is similar to Tang Dynasty official script, and the strokes are smooth and flowing. The horizontal plaque of “Fragrant Hill Charm” inside is the ink mark of Mr. Hu Wensui, a famous calligrapher.

The couplet on the pool “Han Gong’s lofty intention titled Zuibaichi, Gu Shi’s elegant imitation named Qingchi” summarizes the origin of the name Zuibaichi. In the hall, there are plaques written by Mr. Hu Wensui, such as “Rao Min Jie Xian Cong”, and ancient tables, chairs, and tea tables from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.