Xinzhuang Park

Xinzhuang Park

Xinzhuang Park is located in the southwest of the town at No. 421 Xinxin Road, bordered by Xinxixi Road to the east, Xinxin Road to the north, and Yujia Bang to the south and west, covering a total area of 38,785 square meters.

The park was established in 1930

when the Yang family planted 16.5 mu (11,000 square meters) of fruiting plum trees, naming it Xinye Plum Garden, commonly known as Yang Family Garden. In 1951, during the land reform, it was taken over by the government and managed by the Works Bureau's Park and Field Management Office, which then carried out renovations. In the same year, it was opened to the public under the name Xinzhuang Park. Through multiple expansions and transformations, including the digging of canals, stacking of rockeries, and construction of pavilions and bridges, it has reached its current scale. The park mainly features plum trees, complemented by evergreen species such as pine, bamboo, cypress, and camphor. There are over 400 plum trees and more than 400 plum stump displays, representing over 30 varieties—including rare and precious types such as Shuangbi Chuizhi Lü’e (Double Emerald Drooping Green Calyx), Subai Taige (Plain White Tower Pavilion), Fen Hong Zhusha (Pink Cinnabar), and Lü’e (Green Calyx). Their quantity and variety are quite rare among parks in the city. The Plum Garden in the east and the Plum Grove in the west are the main spots for plum blossom viewing. Every early February, as spring begins to warm, the entire garden bursts into bloom with plum blossoms—some blushing like rouge, others weighed down by snow-like petals, their fragrance surpassing even that of orchids, intoxicating all who visit. Especially notable are the Shuangbi Chuizhi Lü’e plum trees, whose branches droop gracefully, strong yet supple, with flowers that are white with hints of green, set off by their green calyxes, elegant and fragrant. Also captivating are the ancient plum stump bonsai, whose gnarled trunks twist like coiled dragons; some branches are half-dead, yet clusters of vivid blossoms burst forth from young shoots, exuding a subtle fragrance and the pulse of life. The park’s black-tiled, white-walled corridors and vermilion pavilions complement the plum trees, creating an atmosphere that is classic and refined. Visitors flock from all directions to admire the plum blossoms, lingering around them, reluctant to leave—among them are well-known Shanghai-based artists, writers, photographers, and calligraphers.

The lotus pond is also one of the park’s scenic highlights. The two ponds are connected by a stream with a bridge overhead. Over ten varieties of lotus are cultivated in the two ponds, surrounded by winter jasmine, lilac, and wisteria, while tall black pines stand nearby. Among the pines stands a stone pavilion named Huating, along with two century-old cedar trees, each 25 meters tall with a diameter of 80 cm, their canopies spreading like giant umbrellas. In summer, the ponds are covered in blooming lotuses, their colorful blossoms set off by lush green leaves, appearing graceful, delicate, and enchantingly diverse. Visitors sit leisurely under the shade of trees or in the Huating Pavilion, enjoying the delightful scenery. A gentle breeze brings the lotus blossoms to sway, releasing a refreshing fragrance that instantly dispels the summer heat. Light rain is especially magical—raindrops patter on the lotus leaves, gathering into glistening pearls that dance and fall into the pond, creating a symphony of sounds. After the rain clears, the lotuses look like beauties fresh from a bath, with water droplets rolling on their petals, delicate and alluring.

Furong Pool is located in the western part of the park. The pool is edged with lake stones arranged along the shore, scattered in various shapes. Along the pool are pavilions, terraces, hillsides, and plantings of maple, pine, cypress, red-leaf plum, and silver-yellow foliage, with color-leaf shrubs such as red flower loropetalum interspersed beneath the large trees on the slopes. In autumn, walking around the pool reveals a rich tapestry of red, green, and yellow hues. When the setting sun casts its glow through the trees into the pool, the shimmering water reflects the black-tiled, white-walled pavilions with red pillars, faintly emerging like a beautiful watercolor painting titled “Autumn Forest at Dusk,” giving visitors the feeling of being inside a painting.

The park boasts a relatively rich variety of plants, including many ancient, famous, and rare tree species. There are century-old camphor trees, large groups of dragon cypress with diameters of 40–50 cm and heights of 20 meters, as well as numerous large-scale dragon cypress balls, ilex cornuta balls, and other evergreen plants, along with perennial green lawns. Even in winter, the park remains lush and vibrant.

The park also houses a piece of Pengshou Stone, standing 3.5 meters tall. It was the main peak of the artificial hill in Pengshou Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty’s Tian Shun era (1457). The stone bears an inscription by Qian Fu (courtesy name Hetan), and a written account by the garden owner Tan Tian. It is the earliest recorded ornamental stone in the Shanghai area.

Although not large, the park offers all the functions of a comprehensive park, including a teahouse and a children’s playground. It is a great place for people to rest, reconnect with nature, and relax. In May 2002, the park became free to enter.

Admission

Free

Location

No. 421 Xinxin Road, Minhang District, Shanghai (near Xinxixi Road)