Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake

Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake

Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake is located within the Dianshan Lake Scenic Area in Qingpu District, Shanghai, about 50 kilometers from the city center. It is a large-scale scenic area newly built in China during the 1980s. After years of expansion, it has now become Shanghai's largest destination for plum blossom viewing.

Shanghai Qingpu Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake is located within the Dianshan Lake Scenic Area, situated to the west of Qingpu District, Shanghai, about 50 kilometers from the city center. It is a large-scale scenic area newly built in China during the 1980s. Shanghai Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake

Built as a large-scale scenic area in the 1980s, after years of expansion, it has now become Shanghai’s largest tourist destination.

Originally named Xue Dian Lake, Dianshan Lake is known as the "Oriental Lake Geneva." It is located 15 kilometers west of Qingpu City, spanning both Qingpu District in Shanghai and Kunshan City (District) in Jiangsu Province. It connects to Yangcheng Lake in the east and leads to Taihu Lake in the west. The lake stretches 15 kilometers from east to west and about 30 kilometers from north to south, with a shoreline of approximately 100 kilometers and a surface area of 95,000 acres. Its depth is around 2 meters. It is a large-scale scenic area newly developed in China during the 1980s. The scenic area features a recreated classical Chinese garden masterpiece — the Grand View Garden from the novel “Dream of the Red Chamber.” Spread across over 160 acres of green landscape, the site boasts clusters of classic Chinese-style architecture, ingeniously designed and luxurious in style, incorporating the characteristics of both northern and southern Chinese gardens.

Shanghai Meiyuan Garden at Dianshan Lake features a recreated classical Chinese garden masterpiece — the Grand View Garden from the novel “Dream of the Red Chamber.” It is Shanghai’s largest destination for plum blossom viewing, covering an area of 190 acres with over 5,000 plum trees representing more than 40 varieties. The garden is surrounded by a collection of classical-style buildings in the Jiangnan style, accented with exotic flowers, ancient trees, and graceful bamboo. The plum blossoms complement the Jiangnan-style courtyard structures, creating a uniquely serene ambiance. There are many ancient plum trees over a hundred years old, featuring famous varieties such as Green Calyx, Vermilion, and Bone Marrow Red.

Highlights of the Scenic Spot

Within the Meiyuan Garden stands the Lengxiang Pavilion, where visitors can admire a rare and precious old plum tree called “Yinhong Taige” (Silver-Red Tower Pavilion) in solitude. In early March when spring is still chilly, red, white, and green plum blossoms bloom competitively, filling the air with their subtle fragrance.

Dianshan Lake is also a picturesque tourist destination, preserving and restoring a large number of historical and cultural sites. It features the Dianshan Lake Tourist Area, which boasts beautiful lake and mountain scenery in an elegant environment, covering approximately 1,600 acres. The area is divided into eastern and western sections by the Qing-Shang Highway that runs through the middle.

The eastern section consists of natural scenic spots, along with a 380-meter-long man-made embankment called “Liuti Chunxiao” (Willow Dyke in Early Spring). The embankment is lined with green willows and blooming flowers, complemented by bridges that reflect in the water. Beyond the dyke lies the vast blue surface of the lake, where the water meets the sky, offering a panoramic view of Dianshan Lake.

The western section is a traditional-style street called “Shicheng Gufeng” (Ancient Charm of Stone City), serving as the central hub for visitor services. Within “Shicheng Gufeng” stands a seven-story classical-style pagoda, reaching 47 meters in height. This pagoda also functions as a water tower, with the sixth floor serving as a water storage tank. The pagoda presents a magnificent and stunning sight.