Who says winter is only for watching snow? December in Shanghai brings an "off-season" adventure!

Red waves of Kochia, the secret realm of withered chrysanthemums, and the early fragrance of Osmanthus: a unique guide to the magic city 📅 Itinerary Overview Day 1: Huakai Haishang Ecological Park · Kochia’s “Rebellious Red” Unique highlight: In December, the Kochia grass turns from green to red, forming waves like flames, overturning the usual winter withered yellow impression (in other cities, Kochia withers early, but here it reaches its peak beauty). How to enjoy: Capture the “red mist forest” in the early morning fog, and in the afternoon, wait for the sunset backlight to see the grass clumps turn into furry “Mars surfaces.” Dark tip: Don’t wear red clothes, or you’ll “disappear” in the grass! Day 2: Gongqing Forest Park · The Decadent Aesthetics of the “Post-Chrysanthemum Exhibition Era” Unique highlight: Although the official chrysanthemum exhibition has ended, the withered chrysanthemums remain, with burnt brown petals and desolate trees forming a “dark style” natural installation art (a delight for niche photographers). How to enjoy: Find the “chrysanthemum zombies” in the corners (weird chrysanthemum shapes left after the exhibition), and pair them with the park’s abandoned railway tracks to shoot apocalyptic scenes. Fun fact: The park’s dawn redwood forest turns rusty red in December, pretending to be the Canadian Rockies. Day 3: Qushui Garden, Qingpu · Time Travel to Tang and Song Dynasties with the “Early Silver Osmanthus Strike” Unique highlight: Smelling Osmanthus in December? Qingpu’s early silver Osmanthus often blooms again due to a warm winter, playing “seasonal confusion” among the ancient garden pavilions. How to enjoy: Bring a pot of warm yellow wine and sit under the Osmanthus tree to experience the strange feeling of “drinking autumn fragrance in winter”; find the 400-year-old ancient ginkgo in the garden, with golden leaves and silver Osmanthus in the same frame. Mystical tip: Locals say making a wish to a specific Osmanthus tree increases your chance of finding love by 50% next year (believe it or not). 🍜 Unique Food Easter Eggs Kochia coffee: Near Huakai Haishang, there’s a café that makes a special brew with Kochia seeds (tastes like pepper latte, order with caution). Chrysanthemum dark cuisine: Restaurants around Gongqing Forest Park still serve “chrysanthemum hotpot,” but the broth might be last week’s exhibition chrysanthemums (just kidding). 🚗 Quirky Transportation Tips Rent an electric scooter to Huakai Haishang and mimic flying through the red grass sea like in Harry Potter; Take the Shanghai-Qingpu Express Line from Qushui Garden back to the city and experience “Osmanthus motion sickness” (open the window and let the cold wind bring the fragrance). 💡 Why is this route so “unique”? Others chase snow, you chase an Osmanthus tree that defies the season; Others shoot Christmas trees, you shoot withered chrysanthemums and Kochia’s “plant siege”; December in Shanghai overturns your winter imagination with three kinds of plants. (Disclaimer: Some descriptions are overly romanticized; actual experience may include cold wind, few people, and puzzled looks from security guards)