Free Flower Viewing Spot in the Magic City
Shanghai Botanical Garden, located in Xuhui District, is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction covering about 82 hectares. It’s perfect for strolling and flower viewing all year round. I’ve put together this travel guide for you, covering everything from getting there to what to do.
💡 Basic Information at a Glance
· 🎫 Tickets: General admission is free. However, special areas like the Exhibition Greenhouse, Bonsai Garden, and Orchid House require separate tickets, usually priced between 15-40 RMB (e.g., a combined ticket costs 40 RMB).
· ⏳ Recommended Duration: The garden is quite large, so it’s best to set aside 3-4 hours to explore leisurely.
· ⏰ Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, so check the times carefully (last entry is usually at 16:30):
Area/Entrance May–Oct Nov–Apr (next year)
Gate 1 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Gates 3 & 4 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🗺️ How to Get There Most Conveniently?
· Subway (Recommended): Take Metro Line 3 to Shilong Road Station, cross the overpass after exiting, then walk along Dongquan Road to Gate 4.
· Bus: Multiple gates have direct bus access:
· Gate 1: Longwu Road Baise Road stop (Routes 56, 714, etc.).
· Gate 3: Baise Road Longchuan North Road stop (Routes 824, 720, etc.).
· Driving (Not Recommended): The parking lot at Gate 2 has been removed, and parking nearby is very limited. Green travel is strongly advised.
🌿 What Are the Main Attractions?
· Must-See Classics: The Exhibition Greenhouse lets you experience a tropical rainforest; the Bonsai Garden showcases exquisite miniature landscapes; the Plant Evolution Area houses the Peony Garden, Azalea Garden, and Rose Garden, which are the main flower-viewing spots.
· New Northern Area: The newly built northern section is unique, featuring a Mediterranean Garden and a Rock Garden. The Moss Garden is special but only open with limited access (50 people) every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, so plan accordingly.
· Family-Friendly Spot: Near Gate 4, there’s a children’s playground where kids can ride a mini train and play bumper cars.
🚶 Recommended One-Day Routes
· Light Hiking Route (Enter West Gate, Exit East Gate): Enter through Gate 3, explore the new northern gardens first, walk along the river to Gate 4, then head deeper into the southern area to see the greenhouses and special gardens, and finally exit through Gate 1.
· Flower Viewing Route: Head straight to the target garden based on the season, such as the Rose Garden (cherry blossoms, peach blossoms) in spring, the Lotus Pond in summer, the Maple Garden (red maples) in autumn, and the greenhouses to escape the cold in winter.
🌸 Best Seasons to Visit?
The botanical garden offers beautiful sights all year round, depending on what flowers you want to see:
· Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, tulips, peonies—peak scenery.
· Summer (June–August): Lotus flowers, water lilies, and a cool bamboo garden.
· Autumn (September–November): Red maples and chrysanthemums, charming autumn colors.
· Winter (December–February): Exotic flowers and plants in the exhibition greenhouse, with the fragrance of wintersweet.
💡 A Few Practical Tips
1. Gear: The garden is large, so wear comfortable shoes. Bring a camera because there are beautiful scenes everywhere.
2. Supplies: It’s recommended to bring your own water and snacks, as the garden’s shops are spaced far apart.
3. Notes: Bicycles are not allowed inside; only walking is permitted. Please avoid stepping on the lawns, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like the Moss Garden, and be a respectful visitor.
DiscoverWorldWonders+333
2
Other visitors' reviews of Shanghai Botanical Garden
Show More ReviewsEnjoying flowers, boating, and playing with stray cats: A relaxing weekend guide in Shanghai – Shanghai Botanical Garden 🌿The weather was great last weekend, so the whole family went to the Shanghai Botanical Garden. The garden was quite lively. Tulips were in full bloom, and the cherry blossoms were also in full bloom. Many people were taking pictures. The kids were most excited about boating, so we rented a pedal boat and slowly paddled on the not-so-large lake. The little one insisted on controlling the direction, but we were basically just going around in circles. The water rippled gently, and the sun warmed our backs – it was quite comfortable. Passing by a lawn, we saw several chubby cats with glossy fur, lazily sunbathing. They were clearly well-fed; they weren't afraid of people at all. A child squatted nearby watching, but they barely acknowledged him. ✅An afternoon passed by just like that. We didn't see all the rare species, but enjoying the breeze, looking at the flowers, and playing with the kids was very relaxing – a great weekend getaway.