Guanlong Park

Guanlong Park

Guanlong Park is located in the northeast corner of Putuo District, bordered by Guanlong Road to the south and adjacent to the Shanghai–Nanjing Railway to the north. It covers an area of 12,500 square meters, including 6,060 square meters of green space and 170 square meters of water bodies. The park receives 1.277 million visitors annually. It was opened to the public free of charge in 1994.

The park employs ecological concepts, focusing on plant-based landscaping, and features a pond, fountain, winding bridge, pavilions, trellises, arbors, a teahouse, a kiosk, and a children’s playground. Upon entering the park through the main gate, a 60-square-meter flower bed bursts with vibrant blooms. To the left of the main path lies a pond, beside which stands a two-story teahouse and kiosk where visitors can enjoy tea while taking in the scenery. A reinforced concrete winding bridge with iron chain railings, 1.2 meters wide and 10 meters long, spans the pond, connecting the garden pathway with the teahouse. Though modest in size, the pond water is crystal clear, adorned with blooming lotuses. A mushroom-shaped fountain and colorful lighting enhance the lively ambiance. Beyond the flower bed lies a grand avenue lined with plane trees, flanked by well-established wisteria-covered trellises. In early April, pale purple wisteria blossoms cascade over the frames, attracting bees and butterflies. Walking eastward from the flower bed along a winding path, you’ll find stately cedars and magnolia trees, gracefully shaped silk trees and podocarpus, striking red maple leaves, and red-leaf plum trees, accented by soft red loropetalum and golden potentilla, their delicate blossoms adding charm. Deeper along the quiet path, a sudden expanse of tender, lush green lawn opens up, creating a refreshing view. Surrounding the lawn are roses, flowering quince, cedars, azaleas, and boxwood balls, all vividly colorful.

On the earthen mound in the northern part of the park stands a uniquely designed cluster of pavilions called the “Harmony Pavilion.” The western pavilion is square, covering 9 square meters, while the northern one is rectangular, spanning 12 square meters. Both feature red clay-tiled, pointed roofs, but the northern pavilion is uniquely supported by just two 0.75-meter-wide and 0.3-meter-thick pillars, with a wooden bench placed between them, creating a distinctive look. Nearby are tree-stump-inspired benches, surrounded by osmanthus, crabapple, crepe myrtle, and rose bushes that fill the air with fragrance during bloom—making it a perfect spot for reading or leisure. The northwest corner of the park serves as a gathering area for fitness enthusiasts and includes various children’s play equipment such as a miniature train, trampoline, and toy fishing setups. Along the park’s northern boundary, near the Shanghai–Nanjing Railway wall, coral hedges, metasequoia, dawn redwood, and distylium trees are planted, while other open spaces are filled with ground covers like iris, sweet flag, liriope, spider lily, and dwarf zephyrlily. The earth mounds are shaded by tall trees. Along the paths are evergreens and flower borders. The teahouse roof and walls are covered with creeping fig and climbing roses. The park is home to over 70 species of trees, offering an elegant, tranquil, and picturesque environment that serves as an ideal recreational spot for local residents.

Since 1997, Guanlong Park has been awarded the honorable title of Shanghai’s “Double Excellence” Park for multiple consecutive years and was designated as a Shanghai “Seven Nos” Civilized Park in 2002. The park also provides convenient services such as complimentary wheelchairs and umbrellas for loan.