Lanxi Youth Park

Lanxi Youth Park

Lanxi Youth Park is located in the central part of Putuo District. It lies to the east of Lanxi Road, south of the District Central Hospital, west of Huaxi Road, and north of CaoYang Yi Village. The main entrance of the park is at No. 151 Lanxi Road, covering an area of 12,620 square meters.

The land was originally a sloping farmland on the north bank of Qiujiang River, dotted with abandoned graves and a temple called -Ci. During the Anti-Japanese War, the temple was destroyed by enemy fire. After the liberation, it was requisitioned for the construction of Putuo Hospital, but was later abandoned due to various reasons. In 1957, in an effort to achieve financial self-sufficiency, the district government assigned the land to the Labor Production Committee of the District Government. The District Youth League mobilized young volunteers to reclaim the wasteland, plant fruit trees such as peaches, pears, apples, and grapes, dig ponds for fish farming, and establish the "Communist Youth League Orchard." In 1980, over ten acres of land in the north were allocated to the Putuo District Central Hospital, resulting in the current size of the park. In 1981, during the planning of the Scenic Huanbang area, this site was designated as one of the three major scenic areas of Huanbang and began preparations for development. By 1982, the preliminary construction design was completed, and after two years of construction, the park was opened to the public in May 1984, named after Lanxi Road and the Communist Youth League Orchard.

In the early days of the park’s establishment, it harmonized with the greenery on the southern bank of Huanbang, forming a unified whole in the style of modern natural landscaping with simple and clean design lines. The park features three main scenic spots: the first sight upon entering used to have a fountain and was backed by the “Textile Workers” sculpture, but by the end of 1998, it had been transformed into a European-style outdoor plaza. To the right after entering, another attraction can be found along the riverside, consisting of a flat-roofed cluster umbrella pavilion, a scenic flower wall, and a paved square in the center—this is a popular gathering spot for visitors. Further to the northeast corner is a small square centered around a circular flower bed, which is the third attraction. Though it has fewer garden ornaments, sitting under the wisteria arbor on the north side and gazing at the southern bank of Huanbang offers a unique charm.

In 1986, to complement the adjustments to the Huanbang scenic spots and enrich the park’s landscape, the green space on the southern bank of Huanbang was incorporated into the park. A new stone arch bridge, “Guixiang Bridge,” and the “Lanxi Boarding the Boat” waterside pavilion attraction were added. Against the backdrop of a lush, multi-layered palm forest, the waterside pavilion, boat dock, and winding bridge formed a new, serene landscape that offers changing views with every step.

The park still houses two notable features: one is a walnut tree behind the wisteria arbor, with a trunk diameter of 45 cm and abundant fruit every year. In 1998, city gardening experts determined the tree to be 111 years old, designating it as a municipal-level ancient and famous tree (No. 1401). It is one of the rare large woody oil-bearing trees in the city, as well as the only walnut tree over a hundred years old, and was specially protected during the park's development, becoming the centerpiece of the third scenic area. The other notable feature is a national first-class benchmark stone marker, established in 1923 with the number 157. Despite being obsolete, this historic stone remains a testament to the city’s early surveying history.

Address: No. 151 Lanxi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai (near Guixiang Road)

Type: Urban Park

Recommended Visiting Time: 1-2 hours

Phone: 021-62547327

Ticket Information:

Free admission.