Qushui Garden, nestled in the Qingpu district, is renowned as one of Shanghai’s five classical gardens, alongside Yuyuan Garden, Guyi Garden, Zuibaichi, Qiuxiapu, and itself. Despite its modest dimensions, the garden is a treasure trove of classical garden features, including artificial mountains, stone bridges, pavilions, and ponds. It is a verdant haven, teeming with ancient trees, vibrant flowers, and lush plants. Ivy drapes the walls, and a stroll through the garden is a refreshing escape. It’s a common sight to see elderly residents singing and playing chess amidst the tranquility.
The eastern edge of Qushui Garden is bordered by the Ring City River, offering a riverside corridor where visitors can rest and soak in the serene river views, a perfect spot for relaxation. Originally constructed during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the garden was once an annex to the adjacent Qingpu City God Temple. Wars and destruction have led to several reconstructions over time, with the current iteration being a renovation and reconstruction on the garden’s original site.
Access to Qushui Garden is through the south gate on Guandu Road, where the West Garden greets visitors with its architectural splendor. Majestic structures such as Deyue Pavilion, Youjue Hall, and Sunset Red Half Building stand proudly. The Sunset Red Half Building, perched atop an artificial mountain crafted from Taihu stones, features an intriguing winding cave beneath it. The Central Garden, the heart of Qushui Garden, is where the landscape truly shines, showcasing the garden’s main attractions.The garden boasts a variety of attractions, including the Lotus Pond, Ninghe Hall, and Hua Shen Hall. Along the Lotus Pond, visitors can find pavilions such as Xiaohao Liang, Yingxi Pavilion, and Huan Dui Fei Lai, which offer picturesque views of the pond. During summer, the lotus flowers are particularly admired.
To the north of the Lotus Pond, there stands a large artificial mountain known as ‘Xiao Fei Lai’, which serves as the garden’s central feature. From the ‘Jiufeng Yulan Pavilion’ atop the mountain, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
Adjacent to the Ring City River on the east, the East Garden is celebrated for its natural beauty. Wandering along the stone paths, lined with potted plants and shaded by lush greenery, leads to Ting Ge, Peony Pavilion, Ji Yun Pavilion, and Lvbo Corridor. Lvbo Corridor is a riverside walkway that extends for over a hundred meters, offering a delightful spot to sit, listen to music, and bask in the river breeze.
From the opposite bank of the river, the reflection of green trees, blue sky, and the corridor on the water’s surface is a truly beautiful sight. In the northwest of Qushui Garden, the Shigu Calligraphy Art Garden is dedicated to exhibiting Shigu scripts and related calligraphic works. Shigu script is the earliest existing stone inscription in China, inscribed on ten drum-shaped granite stones, each bearing a poem.
In the flower bed of the Calligraphy Art Garden, there are ten replicas of Shigu stones. Each replica has a summary of the poem written in modern text on its base, making it easy for visitors to understand and appreciate the historical significance of these inscriptions.
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**Visiting Information:**
If you’re interested, it’s worth a visit. The place is open from 06:00 to 17:00 all year round.
**Parking Facilities:**
1. **Magnolia Plaza Underground Garage**
– **Reference Price:** Subject to the spot
– **Address:** Approximately 60 meters north of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (Qingpu Branch), Chengzhong North Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai
– **Spaces:** Subject to the spot
– **Access:** Private cars only, no buses allowed
2. **Oriental Department Store Underground Garage**
– **Reference Price:** 6 CNY/hour
– **Address:** No. 700 Park Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai
– **Spaces:** Subject to the spot
– **Access:** Private cars only, no buses allowed
3. **Huancheng East Road**
– **Reference Price:** 7 CNY/hour
– **Address:** Roadside on Huancheng East Road, Qingpu District
– **Spaces:** Subject to the spot
– **Access:** Private cars only, no buses allowed
**Additional Services:**
– **Mobile Phone Charging:** Power bank rental available
– **Luggage Storage:** Reference price: none; Address: storage cabinets
– **Umbrella Rental:** Reference price: 100 CNY/each; Address: within the scenic area visitor center
– **Wheelchair Rental:** Reference price: none; Address: within the scenic area visitor center
**Amenities:**
– **Restrooms:** Multiple restrooms are located within the park.
– **Smoking Area:** Outside the south entrance of the park; smoking is prohibited inside the park.
– **Nursing Room:** Address: Shigu Calligraphy Art Garden restroom
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