Sheshan, often referred to as Shanghai’s “back garden,” spans approximately 4.01 million square meters. Within this area, 12 peaks resemble emeralds of varying sizes, stretching from southwest to northeast in a continuous, meandering chain of about 13 kilometers. This creates a picturesque, mountainous landscape amidst Shanghai’s otherwise flat plains.
The resort area includes several attractions such as Chenshan Botanical Garden, Yuehu Sculpture Park, East Sheshan Garden, West Sheshan Garden, Tianma Mountain, Xiaokunshan, and the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. From high vantage points, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the nine peaks and three lakes, with interconnected peaks and charming scenery reminiscent of a painted scroll. Walking through the forested areas, the vibrant colors of blooming peach blossoms and lush willows create a picturesque and enchanting atmosphere, surpassing even the beauty of the clouds.
Travel Information about Sheshan Forest Park
Ticket Prices
- Chenshan Botanical Garden: ¥60
- Yuehu Sculpture Park: ¥100
- East and West Sheshan: Free
- Shanghai Astronomy Museum: ¥12
- Tianma Mountain: ¥10
- Xiaokunshan: ¥6
Opening Hours
Shanghai Astronomy Museum: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Chenshan Botanical Garden: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (March to October), 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (November to February)
Getting to the Park
Location: Northern side of Songjiang New City, Shanghai.
Public Transportation:
- Take Bus Line Y1B from Shanghai Stadium.
- Take the Shanghai-Chen Line or Shanghai-Sheshan-Kun Line from the Southwest Bus Station.
- Alternatively, take Metro Line 9 directly to Sheshan.
Tourist Shuttles: Tourist shuttle buses run from Nanpu Bridge, Shanghai Sports Stadium, the North Bus Station, and Shanghai West Railway Station directly to the park.
Long-Distance Buses: Buses from Songjiang, Qingpu, Jiading, Jinshan, and Fengxian reach Sheshan directly.
Driving Directions: From downtown Shanghai: Take Yan’an Elevated Road to Huqingping Highway, then to Zhongchun Road, Hu Song Road, Shen Zhuang Road, and Waiqing Song Road to Sheshan Forest Park.
Attraction Ratings
- Beautiful: ★★★★★
- Unique: ★★★★★
- Relaxing: ★★★★
- Romantic: ★★★★
- Exciting: ★★★
- Cultural: ★★★
Highlights of Sheshan Forest Park
Chenshan Botanical Garden
Chenshan Botanical Garden consists of four main functional areas: the Central Display Area, the Plant Conservation Area, the Five Continents Plant Area, and the Peripheral Buffer Zone. The Central Display Area and the outer edges of the Plant Conservation Area are enclosed by a green belt, which stretches approximately 4,500 meters in length and has an average height of 6 meters. This green belt not only showcases representative plant species from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania but also connects the three main buildings: the Comprehensive Building, the Research Center, and the Exhibition Greenhouse.
Yuehu Sculpture Park
Yuehu Sculpture Park features a lake, a lakeside area, and a small Sheshan Mountain. At its center is the lake, with the surrounding area divided into four seasonal zones—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—each representing the distinct characteristics of the seasons. The park is home to notable sculptures such as “Flying to Eternity”, “Flower”, and “Walking Mountain”. It also includes the “Stage of Humanity”, a collection of 57 life-sized sculptures.
Spring Shore: The Spring Shore features a fountain water curtain bridge and a visitor service center offering coffee and snacks. The area includes the “Crystal Palace,” constructed with mountain rocks and stalactites, and a water stage that can accommodate over 1,500 spectators for music performances and other events.
Summer Shore: The Summer Shore boasts a water-friendly beach, a splash pool, a boat dock, a carnival area, and a children’s interactive plaza. Behind the beach, there is a 26-meter-high “Old Giant Tree” treehouse, ideal for kids to play and explore.
Autumn Shore: The Autumn Shore is home to a uniquely designed art museum that hosts exhibitions of international art treasures. Next to the museum is the Yizhan Café, and the high-end lakeside dining facility, “Autumn Moon Boat,” is also located on the Autumn Shore.
Winter Shore: The Winter Shore features a long lakeside wooden boardwalk and charming pavilions. Attractions include the Lakeside Pavilion, Moon Mountain Sea (a lakeside restaurant), Water Dance (a musical fountain), and Yuehu Hall, a comprehensive facility for dining, lodging, and conference services that can accommodate up to 1,000 people, offering lodging options.
West Sheshan Park
Among the Sheshan peaks, West Sheshan stands out for its elegant terrain and picturesque scenery, making it the most famous for its rich natural and cultural resources. The mountain is about 97.2 meters high and covers over 530,000 square meters of forest area. Notable attractions in the park include: Xiudaozhe Tower, Astronomical Observatory, Cathedral of Our Lady, Scripture Road, Catholic Church, Three Saints Pavilion, Monastery, Bamboo Sea Paradise, Xixin Spring, Century Bell Tower, and Longjing Tea Garden.
Related Details:
- The Astronomical Observatory houses the Shanghai Astronomical Museum, which features a 40-centimeter dual-tube refracting telescope and over 7,000 valuable astronomical photographs taken over the past century. It’s a great place to visit for those interested in astronomy.
- To the west of Xiudaozhe Tower on the northern slope of West Sheshan, there is a Forest Leisure Park. This park offers various entertainment options, including a Bagua Maze, Fragrant Grass Slide, Long March Trail, and a 100-meter Obstacle Course. Additionally, visitors can interact with monkeys at the Water Curtain Monkey Mountain, test and train their aim at the archery range, and challenge their agility in the eel-catching area.
East Sheshan Park
East Sheshan Park is located on the East Sheshan Peak, featuring two opposing peaks to the north and south. The park emphasizes bamboo as both a scenic element and a highlight, with bamboo trees surrounding the area, creating a tranquil environment.
The main attractions in the park include the South Gate, Meigong Fishing Rock, a 368-step mountain trail, Baishi Mountain Pavilion, Bamboo Forest Boardwalk, Forest Café, Scenic Tea House, Qi Long Ancient Road, Buddha Fragrance Spring, Muyu Stone, and Dry Land Sledding.
Related Details:
- On the west slope of the North Peak in East Sheshan Park, there is a Forest Café and a Scenic Tea House. The Forest Café is located outdoors and blends seamlessly with the surrounding green trees and bamboo. During the cold winter, visitors can enter the Scenic Tea House to enjoy tea and the view. Next to the tea house is a viewing tower that offers panoramic views of the beautiful scenery of the Nine Peaks and Twelve Mountains.
- The Baishi Mountain Pavilion is a resting pavilion located midway along the 368-step mountain trail. From this spot, visitors can enjoy a sense of being high above and take in the panoramic views of the clouds, the vast land, and distant waters. It is also a great location for photography.
Tianma Mountain Park
Among the nine peaks, Tianma Mountain is the tallest, with an elevation of approximately 99.8 meters. The front slope is steep, while the rear slope is relatively gentle. The mountain is richly vegetated and lush, with a verdant and deep appearance. It features the famous “New Ten Scenic Spots of Tianma Mountain”: Slanting Tower Buddha Light, Clouds and Clouds Viewing, Stone Cave Exploration, North Peak Sunrise, Famous Scholars’ Elegance, Pipa Moonlight, Tianma Spring Dawn, Fairy Forest’s Brilliant Autumn, Autumn Sounds by the Cloud Wall, and Bamboo Shadows by the Stream.
Xiaokun Mountain Park
Xiaokun Mountain is located at the southernmost end of the nine peaks, extending in an east-southeast to west-northwest direction. It features two peaks, with the southern peak being higher than the northern one, and the entire mountain roughly shaped like the number “8.” The mountain has a rounded, elegant appearance and is also known locally as “Bull’s Head Mountain” due to the northern peak resembling the head of a reclining bull. Key attractions in the area include: Erlu Grass Hall and Reading Platform, Jiufeng Zen Temple, Cliff Carvings, Qinhuang Chidao (Qin Emperor’s Road), and Xia Family Tombs.
Visitor Guide for Sheshan Forest Park
Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden:
- Green Free Shuttle Bus: Stops at Entrance 1 and Entrance 3 of the Sheshan Tourist Resort.
- Garden Shuttle: Available within the botanical garden, with a ticket price of 10 RMB per person.
Yuehu Sculpture Park:
- Park Shuttle: Operates every 15 minutes, circulating through the four seasonal areas (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Passengers can get on and off at designated stops.
Bicycles:
- Rental: Bicycle rental stations are located opposite Sheshan Station on Metro Line 9.
- Free Rental: First 2 hours are free (unlimited rentals).
- Charge: 1 RMB per hour after the initial 2 hours.
Accommodation Options
In the scenic area, most accommodations are forest resorts, situated either within the forest or beside small lakes, offering fresh air and a natural experience with the sound of birds in the morning.
Forest Hotel:
- Location: Located on the southwestern foothills of East Sheshan.
- Features: The hotel consists of European-style villas with standard rooms, suites, deluxe suites, and a conference center. Amenities include a restaurant, ballroom, billiard room, chess and card room, tennis courts, fitness center, and a medical care station.
Shanghai Lansun Villa:
- Unique Feature: Known for its “open door to the mountains,” Lansun Villa is divided into eastern and western sections.
- Eastern Section: Situated at the foot of East Sheshan, with a small river flowing in front and a view of the largest cathedral in the Far East atop West Sheshan.
- Rooms: The villa offers 87 types of rooms, and facilities include a multifunctional ballroom, KTV rooms, chess and card room, table tennis, foot bath, and various meeting rooms.
- Address: No. 9269, Waijiaoqing Song Road.
Shanghai Dazhong International Conference Center:
- Location: Situated within the Sheshan Resort area, featuring European-style courtyard architecture with guestroom buildings and a conference complex.
- Rooms and Facilities: Offers 208 guest rooms and various amenities including conference rooms, a restaurant, table tennis, billiards, a chess and card room, basketball courts, tennis courts, KTV rooms, a ballroom, and a sauna.
- Address: No. 1515, She Tian Kun Road.
Food Options
At various hotels in Sheshan, you can enjoy local Sheshan specialties and traditional Shanghai cuisine. Notably, Sheshan Orchid Bamboo Shoots are a local specialty, and you can taste authentic orchid bamboo shoots at Lansun Villa. Additionally, the Guifei Fragrant Hoof at the Dazhong International Conference Center and the fresh Shepherd’s Purse Meatballs at Forest Hotel are also worth trying.
Recommended Routes
Family Fun Day:
- Morning: Explore Xishan Garden, visiting highlights like the Xiudaozhe Tower, Astronomical Observatory, Madonna Hall, Jingshe Road, San Sheng Pavilion, Monastery, Bamboo Sea Park, Xixin Spring, Century Bell Tower, and Longjing Tea Garden.
- Afternoon: Head to Shanghai Happy Valley for some amusement park fun.
Spring Blossom Tour:
- Morning: Visit Tianma Mountain Garden and taste the local Sheshan orchid bamboo shoots.
- Afternoon: Go to Chenshan Botanical Garden to enjoy themed flower exhibitions, including cherry blossoms, tulips, roses, and irises.
Religious and Cultural Tour:
- Morning: Visit the Madonna Hall at Xishan Garden.
- Afternoon: Check out the Pearl Light Tower at Tianma Mountain Garden.
Science and Family Day:
- Morning: Explore the Shanghai Astronomical Museum and Shanghai Earthquake Museum at Xishan to learn about astronomy and earthquakes.
- Afternoon: Visit Chenshan Botanical Garden to interact closely with a variety of plants and flowers.
Cultural and Artistic Tour:
- Morning: Visit Xiaokun Mountain Garden to pay tribute to renowned Jin Dynasty writer Lu Ji and Lu Yun, and Song Dynasty poet Su Shi.
- Afternoon: Enjoy the “Moon Lake” themed sculptures at Moon Lake Sculpture Park.