5 of the Best Parks in Shanghai: Marriage Markets, Art & Cherry Blossoms

1. People's Park (人民公园, Huangpu)

Downtown people-watching and Shanghai's famous weekend Marriage Market.

Sitting directly above one of Shanghai's busiest metro stations, People's Park is one of the easiest places downtown to get a glimpse of everyday local life. Come on a weekend afternoon to see the Marriage Market (相亲角), where parents line the walkways with open umbrellas displaying information about their adult children. Come back after sunset for quieter, illuminated walks away from the East Nanjing Road rush.

What to expect: Umbrella matchmaking, tai chi circles, open-air musicians, lily ponds and leafy walking trails.

• Best time to visit: Weekend afternoons for the matchmaking buzz; early mornings for serenity.
• Nearest Metro: People's Square Station (Lines 1/2/8, Exit 16)

GO HERE IF: You want Shanghai's best people-watching experience.

2. Lu Xun Park (鲁迅公园, Hongkou)

Leafy lakeside walks, traditional pavilions and a glimpse of local Shanghai life.

If you want a Shanghai park that feels genuinely lived-in, head north to Hongkou. Lu Xun Park combines lakeside walks and traditional pavilions with one of the city's strongest literary connections.

Named after one of modern China's most influential writers, Lu Xun (who is entombed here), this park centers around a boating lake framed by weeping willows and pavilions. It remains one of our favourite spaces in the city.

What to expect: Pedal boats on the lake, chorus singers, calligraphy water-painters, square dancing, and the historic Lu Xun Memorial Hall.

• Best time to visit: Sunny mornings or afternoons.
• Nearest Metro: Hongkou Football Stadium Station (Lines 3/8, Exit 6)

GO HERE IF: You want lakes, pavilions and a quieter local morning.

3. Jing'an Sculpture Park (静安雕塑公园)

Modern public art, open lawns, and family-friendly strolls.

Located right beside the Shanghai Natural History Museum, this is one of central Jing'an's most distinctive green spaces. Unlike traditional municipal parks, it operates as an open-air contemporary sculpture museum, displaying massive bronze bulls, kinetic installations, and a range of sculptures scattered across manicured lawns.

What to expect: Large-scale contemporary sculptures, open lawns, and striking installations.

• Best time to visit: Golden hour before dinner.
• Nearest Metro: Shanghai Natural History Museum Station (Line 13, Exit 2)

GO HERE IF: You want art, lawns and an easy central-city stroll.

4. Fuxing Park (复兴公园, Former French Concession)

French-style gardens, morning dancers and a nightlife hub after dark.

Dating back to 1909, Fuxing Park is Shanghai's only remaining French-style park. Early mornings belong to retirees practicing ballroom dancing, fan dancing, and shuttlecock kicking. By night, the area changes character completely, with the INS nightlife complex sitting on the park's northern edge.

What to expect: Symmetrical formal French gardens and fountains, morning square dancers, singing, tai chi, chess and exercise.

• Best time to visit: Morning for dancing, tai chi and local life.
• Nearest Metro: South Huangpi Road Station (Lines 1/14) or Xintiandi Station (Lines 10/13)

GO HERE IF: You want morning dancing and old-school Shanghai community life.

5. Gucun Park (顾村公园, Baoshan)

Vast cherry blossom forests and a true countryside escape.

One of Shanghai's largest parks, Gucun feels less like an inner-city green space and more like a proper escape. It's best known for its spectacular spring cherry blossoms, when huge stretches of the park turn pink. Outside blossom season, its lakes, open spaces and forested walking trails still make it worth the journey north.

What to expect: Vast cherry blossom tunnels (in season), boat rentals, forested walking trails, and camping lawns.

• Entry Fee: ¥20 (free for children under 1.3m).
• Best time to visit: Late March to mid-April for cherry blossoms; autumn weekends for open-air picnics.
• Nearest Metro: Gucun Park Station (Lines 7/15, Exit 2)

GO HERE IF: You want cherry blossoms and a proper escape from the city.