Shanghai’s Historical and Cultural Origin – Comprehensive Travel Guide to Songjiang District

Duration: 2 days
Time: June
Cost per person: 1000 yuan
Companion: Friends
Activities: Gastronomy, Photography, Self-driving, Cultural Exploration, Freestyle, Weekend Trip

The author visited these places: Zui Bai Pond, Sheshan National Forest Park, Shanghai Happy Valley, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Tianma Mountain, Sheshan Observatory, Xiudaozhe Tower, Songjiang Central Park.

Published on 2020-06-10 13:44. Regarding this trip, I have recently become particularly fond of the history and culture of Shanghai and have written about the historical and cultural architecture of Shanghai. As a native Shanghainese, I have found that after reaching the age of thirty, I have started to feel nostalgic. I realize that I love the old Shanghai memories and the influence of these old cultures on this modern city more than I imagined. For many tourists who come to Shanghai, I hope that you do not only see Shanghai as a fashionable metropolis to visit, but also understand the stories behind these Shanghai-style cultures. This trip is not only a journey through time and space but also a detailed travel guide to Songjiang District. Songjiang District is not in the urban area of Shanghai, but it has a unique location. As the birthplace of Shanghai’s history and culture, its history is older than that of the cultural and historical buildings in the urban area of Shanghai.

Itinerary highlights:
1. Guangfulin Cultural Relics
2. Yunjian Granary
3. Zui Bai Pond
4. Sheshan National Forest Park
5. Shanghai Happy Valley
6. Smurfs Park
7. Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden

Accommodation:
1. Songjiang Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel

Dining:
1. Forest Hotel
2. Xiaoyeshu

Guangfulin can be said to be the earliest memory of Shanghai in history. The cultural relics site has been open for only two years but has already become famous. Almost every Shanghainese knows about it, but I have never had the time to visit until now. I finally had the opportunity to see it for myself. After applying, I was allowed to take aerial photos here, a place with special significance for Shanghainese. (Aerial photography must be agreed upon by the scenic area) The main attraction here is to visit the underwater museum, a display hall built 4-5 meters underwater. Due to the epidemic, it had not been open to the public before and only recently reopened at the end of May. For visitors, there is a feeling of stepping through time and space into the underground and into ancient times, so it is a must-see. The entrance is designed to look like a dense root system, implying that this is the ‘Root of Shanghai’. Through archaeological memories, the evolution of Shanghai’s land formation, the primitive period, the prosperity of Songjiang Prefecture, the Republic of China period in Shanghai, and other scenes, the story is made readable again. During the primitive period in Songjiang, humans were very wise. Houses were built around trees because the ground was damp, and there was an empty space underneath. It is said that the space was used for raising pigs, and the wild pigs at the time were small and lived under the houses. There is also a simulated horse stable, which is now the queue area. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the textile industry in Songjiang was also very prosperous, with Gu Embroidery and Huang Daopo being very famous at the time; the Songjiang train station was still in use, running from Songjiang to Qingpu, and the scene looked a bit like the Chedun Film and Television Base. There are also scenes that our parents may not have seen, such as tiger stoves, storybooks, which are quite interesting. The stone tower painted on the wall is called the Dharani Sutra Stone Pillar, the oldest existing building on the ground in Shanghai (859 years), a Buddhist building from the Tang Dynasty, located in Songjiang Zhongshan Primary School.

Duoyun Bookstore is located within the Guangfulin Cultural Relics site and is a favorite destination for literary and artistic youth. The entire bookstore is built within a well-preserved Hui-style architectural mansion, featuring two landscape courtyards. One has a cloud-shaped ornamental pool, while the other is designed as a pine tree courtyard, each with a unique artistic conception. The first floor is now open for visits, while the second floor remains closed. The first floor mainly consists of a café and a cultural and creative bookstore. The treasure of the store is the ancient books displayed in the glass showcase. The bookstore focuses on historical, cultural, and calligraphy and painting books, as well as content related to Songjiang’s humanistic culture. If you order a cup of coffee here, you can pick up a book and spend an afternoon in the storeYunjian, also known as Songjiang, has a rich history with various names such as Rongcheng and Huating. The grain warehouse complex, constructed from the 1950s to the 1990s, comprises 59 storage buildings and chronicles the evolution of Songjiang’s grain industry since the People’s Republic of China was founded. While some warehouses are still undergoing renovation, the Yunjian Art Museum and the Beer Culture Museum are open for public viewing. These warehouses, widely spaced and neatly arranged, reflect the large scale of the facility. A large piece of machinery and a conical barrel in the middle of the road are likely remnants from the past. Ancient granaries, including these, are typically located near waterways for ease of transportation. Upon entering, one can see eight large silos—once the site of the Songjiang Flour Factory—now weathered and exuding a slightly decadent charm. The unrenovated granaries with their brick walls and green wooden beam supports are a photographer’s delight, especially for portrait photography where contrasting attire can enhance the visual impact. A graffiti on one wall, “Ten deer, nine look back,” refers to a Qing Dynasty folk legend from Songjiang, symbolizing the desire to return home. The address is Songhui East Road, No. 327, and admission is free. The Yunjian Art Museum operates from 9:30 to 16:30, closed on Mondays.

Our visit to Zui Bai Chi, one of Shanghai’s top five gardens, was dampened by a sudden heavy rain, forcing us to explore the pavilions and corridors with umbrellas. Named after a Songjiang painter’s admiration for Bai Juyi, who modeled the ‘Drunk Bai Hall,’ Zui Bai Chi is larger than expected, with stone paths and forest trails providing a cool ambiance, making it an ideal summer retreat. The Carving Hall features unique, non-repeating carvings on windows and door lintels, depicting stories from the Three Kingdoms. The outer pond, with its emerging lotus leaves, promises even more beauty when in full bloom, best appreciated from the Xiangzhen Pavilion. Despite the rain, well-dressed Shanghai locals gathered in the pavilion, discussing their performances.

Beyond the long corridor lies the inner garden of Zui Bai Chi, the core of the scenic area, featuring a central pond surrounded by halls, one of which contains a statue of Dong Qichang, with rooms displaying works by local students. The garden boasts 30 stone carvings of cultural relic status, including the Songjiang ‘Ten Deer Nine Look Back’ stele and portraits of notable Yunjian figures, some of which were damaged during the Cultural Revolution. The address is 64 Renmin South Road, Songjiang (Subway Line 9, Zui Bai Chi Station), with an admission fee of 12 yuan. Operating hours are 6:00 AM for the outer garden, 7:00 AM for the inner garden, and 8:00 AM for the gate hall, all closing at 5:00 PM.

Sheshan National Forest Park is a significant historical and cultural site in the Shanghai area, with a long history and a birthplace of many talents. The Jiufeng area of Songjiang, including Sheshan, Tianma Mountain, and Xiaokunshan, is the only hilly region in Shanghai, with Sheshan being the most scenic. A common destination for school outings, Sheshan is remembered from childhood visits to the Sheshan Observatory. Unfortunately, the observatory, museum, and church are currently closed to visitors.To enjoy a visit to Sheshan Mountain, it’s recommended to take the vehicular road directly up to the viewing platform via the west gate to avoid the fatigue of climbing. Afterward, you can walk down the mountain, visiting the Sheshan Bell Tower and Xiudaozhe Tower before exiting from the east gate. The downhill road is easier to walk. Please note that as Shanghai is about to enter the rainy season, the mountain roads of Sheshan can be damp. The Sheshan Observatory is an important observation point for both Shanghai and China, often featured in the news. However, due to the recent epidemic, the observatory and church are temporarily closed, so it’s important to check the latest news before planning a visit. The address is Sheshan Mountain Top, and while entering Sheshan National Forest Park is free, the observatory and church are not yet open.

Shanghai Happy Valley, a leading domestic amusement park under the OCT Group, has been open for nearly 11 years and continues to attract a large number of tourists. The park includes seven themed areas: Sunshine Harbor, Happy Times, Shanghai Beach, Shangri-La, Happy Ocean, Gold Mine Town, and Hurricane Bay. The park’s classic project is the roller coaster, with a variety of options including thrilling ones and those suitable for children. Notable roller coasters include the 1200-meter-long wooden roller coaster ‘Valley Wood Dragon’, the highest 60-meter bottomless roller coaster ‘Jue Ding Xiong Feng’, and the fastest roller coaster ‘Blue Moon Coaster’. Recently, a celebrity visited to film and specifically played the ‘Blue Moon Coaster’. The popular projects ‘Valley Wood Dragon’ and ‘Jue Ding Xiong Feng’ have introduced a ticketing machine system for face recognition ticketing, allowing you to play again according to the queue time on the ticket, which greatly reduces the time wasted in line. However, do not exceed the time limit, or you will need to get a new number.

The park also offers many performances, such as the recent bubble show, the parrot show in Shangri-La, and the sea lion show in Happy Ocean. It’s recommended to check the performance times and arrange your visit accordingly. In late June, this year’s Maya Water World will open, and there is a dedicated connecting passage to the water world from the Happy Ocean area of Happy Valley, making it a good idea to visit both attractions together. A new popular tourist train viewing project has been introduced at the entrance, circling the entire Happy Valley. It’s recommended to buy an all-day ticket for 30 yuan for adults and 15 yuan for children, which allows you to walk less, especially for those with children. Happy Valley is known for its activities, with continuous garden parties and theme activities during summer vacations and holidays, as well as night openings. The address is No. 888 Linhu Road, Sheshan Town, Songjiang District (with a connecting shuttle at Sheshan Station on Line 9), and the ticket price is currently a two-entry ticket for 230 yuan. Operating hours have been from 09:30 to 18:00 in the past two months, but for any time changes, refer to the official website.

Smurfs Park Shanghai Shimao Wonderland Theme Park is located next to the famous Shenkeng Hotel in Sheshan and is divided into two phases. The Smurfs Park, which is Phase II, opened at the end of May and is an indoor amusement park that fully restores animation scenes. The park is divided into several different themed areas with different main scenes, including a forest area, a village area, and Gargamel’s house. The Damao area is composed of characters from the animation ‘Spirit Stone Adventure King’. There will be a float parade in the Smurfs Park every day for intimate interaction with tourists, featuring The Smurfs, Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Gargamel, Azrael, and more.Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
The Chenshan Botanical Garden and the Smurfs Park are adjacent to each other. It is really a botanical garden large enough to play in for a whole day.
Let’s talk about the characteristic greenhouse here first. It is a bit far from the gate. It is recommended to take an electric car and then play all the way out. The greenhouse is composed of three pavilions, namely the Tropical Flower and Fruit Pavilion, the Xerophyte Pavilion, and the Rare Plant Pavilion. It is the largest exhibition greenhouse in Asia. The scenery feels comparable to the greenhouse in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. We also have a mini version of a waterfall. Our Xerophyte Pavilion is also the world’s largest indoor xerophyte exhibition hall. When visiting, I happened to see others doing commercial shooting. I feel that this exhibition hall is a place where blockbuster photos can be taken in minutes.
One must-visit spot is the Quarry Garden, which at first glance resembles the pit of the Deep Pit Hotel, complete with waterfalls and walking trails within the pit. Although slightly smaller than the Deep Pit Hotel, it captures a similar essence.
The Rose Garden is larger than expected, with the fragrance of flowers wafting along the path, where various rose varieties compete to bloom, even on rainy days, the splendor of the flowers cannot be dampened.
The botanical garden excels in education, often hosting school trips from Shanghai and the surrounding areas for spring and autumn outings, making it an ideal destination for family outings on weekends.
Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District.
Admission: 60 yuan.
Hours: 08:00-17:00.

Songjiang Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel
With so many attractions to explore in Songjiang, I decided to stay overnight in Songjiang. Some attractions are near Sheshan, others near the university town, and some in the old town, so it’s most convenient to stay at the center of the itinerary – Songjiang New City.
The Songjiang Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel is quite famous in Songjiang, with an excellent location in the Kaiyuan Mediterranean Commercial Center, a well-established commercial hub that has been operating for several years. Therefore, there is a variety of shopping and dining options just steps from the hotel, making it very popular. For those who, like me, enjoy bubble tea, there are plenty of choices. Transportation is also very convenient, although I also recommend driving for Sheshan trips.
My room was on the 19th floor, a mid-level, and the view from the upper floors is quite nice. Directly opposite my room was the Songjiang Central Park. The room was spacious, the bedding was skin-friendly, and the bathroom featured both a bathtub and a shower in a four-separation design.
If you don’t feel like going out for a meal, I recommend trying the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Jin Yuan, located on the second floor of the hotel. It is a very mature restaurant, offering authentic local dishes with fresh ingredients. The lobster meat is very elastic, and you will not be disappointed.
Address: 1799 Renmin North Road, Songjiang District.
Price: Rooms range from 600-700 yuan per night, with an average cost per person of over 300 yuan.

Xiaoye’s Uncle’s Old Shanghai Folk Flavor
A local hotpot restaurant specializing in farmhouse cuisine. If you want to taste local dishes, this is a must-visit place. It’s often crowded with locals, so it’s best to go early to avoid peak times. There are two branches in Songjiang, and we visited the flagship store.
As soon as you enter, various dim sum are displayed along the aisle. The restaurant’s decor also exudes a folk charm.
I feel like introducing every dish to you. The non-heritage soft cake is a specialty of Yezhe Town in Songjiang, with pine nuts, raisins, and red bean paste filling, costing 23 yuan for seven pieces; there’s also the crab shell yellow with crab roe, which is freshly baked with a crispy and fragrant flavor, taking about 15 minutes and costing 4 yuan each. They even sell pickled watermelon rind, which I remember making at home during summers as a child.
The braised duck is something that older people will definitely enjoy; it’s very flavorful but not at all tough, making it suitable for those with less robust teeth. However, the highlight I must recommend is the braised organic fish for 148 yuan. It’s steamed and served at the table. If two people come to dine, this dish alone could fill you up. The fish is very tender yet fully flavored, and the sauce is exceptionally delicious, with a slight spiciness that suits the taste of Shanghai locals. Even the SichuanThe handmade rice cakes at this restaurant are highly recommended. They were so delicious that I couldn’t help but eat four pieces as soon as they were served. Recently, the restaurant has acquired a certificate to prepare pufferfish and has started offering it on their menu. We indulged in the pufferfish soup, but after eating too much, we found ourselves quite full and had to take the leftovers home.

Address: No. 768 Songwei North Road, Sanming Plaza. The restaurant provides parking coupons and has an average cost per person of 70-80 RMB.

Forest Hotel, a high-end resort hotel, is located opposite the east gate exit of Sheshan, with mountains and bamboo forests as its backdrop. The hotel features detached luxury villas as well as affordable rooms for the general public. On the day of our visit, we were fortunate enough to tour a detached mansion in Building 9, which is not available for booking through online channels due to certain guest requirements, such as no home parties. This three-story villa offers a stunning view of Sheshan from its third-floor balcony.

Adjacent to the Forest Hotel, there’s a restaurant called Forest Home, which is an excellent place to enjoy local dishes. Contrary to what one might expect, dining at a resort hotel can be quite affordable, making it an ideal spot for lunch after a visit to Sheshan. Taoyuan White-Cut Chicken, made from locally sourced Sheshan chickens, is tender and delicious, priced at 58 RMB for half a chicken, and it’s my personal favorite. The braised pork with vegetable rice is also incredibly tasty, with the soy sauce and lard from the meat juices infusing into the salty pork and vegetable rice, making both the rice and meat very flavorful.

The local soup dish in Songjiang is somewhat similar to a thickened vegetable and tofu soup, where you can taste the freshness of the vegetables. It is said that the soup is made with chicken broth, which enhances the flavor of the ingredients. The fish soup here is also recommended, made with basa fish fillets in a milky white broth, and you can add green onions and pepper to taste, with no fishy smell at all.

Other recommended dishes include pork cartilage, curry beef brisket (Thai style), pancake rolls with eel shreds, and fried salted pig’s trotters, all of which are delicious. The address for Forest Home is No. 9259, Waiqingsong Highway, within Sheshan Forest Hotel, with an average dining cost per person of 70-80 RMB.

Travel summary: The beauty of Songjiang is not as bustling as downtown Shanghai, but it quietly influences every Shanghainese with its own stories and adds more choices and fun to our leisure life. If you like my content, I hope you can interact and discuss more. If there are any omissions, please correct them. If you want to continue seeing such content, you can follow me.

Related posts:

Explore Shanghai in Summer Vacation: These Places Are Worth Adding to Your Favorites Into Songjiang, a Different Shanghai Suburban Charm (2-Day Tour Complete Guide) Owed Travel, What Do These Goddesses Have to Say? Two-Day Shanghai-Suzhou Tour: Fulfilling Three Wishes in One Trip Shanghai Family Trip in Late Summer 2007: Enigmatic Metropolis Sheshan Summer ‘Wonderland’ Journey