Shanghai Daguan Garden is located on the west side of Dianshan Lake in Qingpu, a large-scale ancient-style architectural complex and modern garden designed according to the descriptions in the classic Chinese novel ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’. The garden boasts a beautiful environment, complete with stone bridges, lotus ponds, pavilions, and towers. Inside, there are numerous wax figures depicting scenes from ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, making visitors feel as if they are in the novel’s settings created by Cao Xueqin.
Daguan Garden, being away from the city center and constructed relatively early, has seen less promotion in recent years, resulting in fewer visitors on ordinary days. This, however, makes it an ideal tranquil destination. The garden is lush with vegetation, particularly bamboo, and has transplanted many ancient and famous trees. In summer, the artificial lake is filled with blooming lotuses, which are quite beautiful. In winter, Daguan Garden becomes an excellent place to admire plum blossoms, a must-visit for photography enthusiasts seeking a peaceful environment.
Although the garden features ancient-style architecture, it is meticulously designed, combining the grandeur and elegance of royal gardens with the delicate beauty of Jiangnan gardens, fully recreating the environment of the Jia Mansion in ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’. It includes buildings such as the ‘Yi Hong Court’ where Jia Baoyu lived, ‘Xiao Xiang Hall’ where Lin Daiyu lived, ‘Qiu Shuang Zhai’ where Jia Tan Chun lived, ‘Long Cui Temple’ where Miaoyu practiced, as well as the ‘Daguan Building’, ‘Pear Fragrance Court’, and ‘Rice Fragrance Village’, each with an introductory sign.
Occasionally, there are opera performances of excerpts from ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ in the garden, especially during national holidays. The Daguan Building houses a tea room where visitors can enjoy tea, scenery, and conversation. However, there is no restaurant in the garden, and the restaurants in front of the scenic area are relatively expensive, so it is recommended to bring your own snacks and water.
Opposite Daguan Garden is the Shanghai National Culture Village, a small attraction built years ago, but now quite dilapidated, making it not worth the cost of admission. Daguan Garden is located at the border of Shanghai and Jiangsu, only 11 kilometers from the ancient town of Zhouzhuang, which is very convenient for those traveling by car.
Shanghai Daguan Garden
Shanghai Daguan Garden is located on the west side of Dianshan Lake in Qingpu, a large-scale ancient[...]
