Dongsheshan Park

Dongsheshan Park

Dongsheshan Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Dongsheshan Park is located 10.5 kilometers north of the ancient city of Songjiang in the suburbs, and 35 kilometers from the city center. With an elevation of 74 meters, the mountain covers an area of over 800 acres. It features beautiful landscapes, lush forests, and is considered the crown jewel among the Nine Peaks.

The mountain is abundant in animal and plant life. Animals include wild sika deer, pangolins, and over a hundred species of birds. There are more than 2,000 plant varieties, such as camphor trees and moso bamboo. The bamboo shoots produced here are particularly famous for their subtle orchid-like fragrance. When Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty visited during his southern tour, he tasted them and inscribed the words “Orchid Bamboo Shoot Mountain,” bestowing the name “Orchid Bamboo Shoots” on the shoots. As early as the Ming Dynasty, ten scenic spots were built on Dongsheshan, including Suigao Garden, Baishi Villa, and Meigong Fishing Jetty. The great traveler Xu Xiake visited Sheshan three times, starting his legendary journeys from here. After the liberation, Sheshan was once developed into the Shanghai Botanical Garden but construction stopped during the Cultural Revolution. In 1993, it was approved as a national forest park by the Ministry of Forestry.

Dongsheshan Park centers on the theme of reconnecting with nature. A number of historical sites have been restored, and over 30 sightseeing and entertainment spots have been newly built, thoughtfully placed across the northern and southern peaks. Strolling through the mountain forests, visitors often feel as if they've entered a paradise. The park enjoys a spring-like climate all year round, filled with blooming flowers and birdsongs. A forest bird garden housing over 50 species and nearly 10,000 birds has been established here, making it the city’s only base for bird appreciation, education, and conservation. It's also a paradise for young people, featuring amusement facilities such as bumper cars, go-karts, bouncing castles, flying chairs, electronic bamboo mazes, picnic grills, a deer park, and dry-land sledding—offering endless fun. Dongsheshan Park hosts the “Double Ninth Festival Climbing Event” every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, which is especially popular among seniors.

Meigong Fishing Jetty: On the southeastern slope of Dongsheshan, surrounded by clear waters, there is a jutting rock resembling a jetty, situated by the riverbank, looking like a spot where immortals might fish or play chess. Historical records say that in the late Ming Dynasty, the 29-year-old literary figure, painter, and calligrapher Chen Jiru (also known as Meigong) burned his scholar’s robes and retreated to seclusion on Xiaokunshan. At age 59, after burying his mother on Chenshan, he moved to Dongsheshan, where he shut himself away to write, study, and practice epigraphy and painting. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, and this rock became his favorite fishing spot—hence its name. Nearby is “Baishi Villa,” located east of Meigong Fishing Jetty, with uniquely arranged rocks, though the site is now in ruins.

Lion Rock: Located on the southern peak of Dongsheshan, Lion Rock features a cliff dozens of meters high with curling rock patterns. The shape of the mountain resembles a reclining lion, and the curling patterns resemble the lion’s mane—thus the name.

Wooden Fish Stone: On the western peak of Dongsheshan, there is a rock face shaped like a swimming fish. Legend says that when the weather is overcast, if you listen closely while leaning against the stone, you can faintly hear the sound of a wooden fish or even singing and talking. This is the famous Sheshan Bamboo Whistle. The painting “Xiaoxiang Map” by the Ming scholar Chen Jiru, which has been passed down through generations, was inspired by this sight and is now preserved in the Songjiang Museum.

Dragon-Riding Dyke: Dongsheshan has a winding stone path that climbs over the ridge from the southern part of the mountain to the north, resembling a giant dragon riding along the ridge—hence the name “Dragon-Riding Dyke.” This ancient stone-paved path is just one meter wide. Lined with dense shade, refreshed by mountain breezes, and set in a tranquil environment, it is an ideal summer retreat.

Buddha Fragrance Spring: East of Baishi Villa on Dongsheshan, behind Yao Gong’s Tomb, halfway up the mountain, there is a spring emerging from a crack in the rocks. Its water is cool, refreshing, and slightly warm in nature, hence called Buddha Fragrance Spring. On the stone beside the spring, seal script characters vertically inscribed read “Buddha Fragrance Spring,” along with cursive script annotations.

Heart-Washing Spring: Located at the western foot of Dongsheshan, it is said to have been dug by the Taoist monk Congdao during the third year of the Taiping era in the Northern Song Dynasty. The spring’s name comes from the Buddhist concept of “egolessness.” It is believed that to enter the Buddhist realm, one must reach a state of egolessness, which requires first “washing the heart” to discard worldly desires and achieve purity. Drinking from the Heart-Washing Spring is said to help one reach this state. The spring still exists today, with cool and clear water. The Heart-Washing Spring is one of Sheshan’s famous natural springs. Bai Juyi once praised, “I’ve heard that the water of Songjiang is the clearest.” Visitors who brew a cup of tea from Sheshan’s local leaves using water from the Heart-Washing Spring will find it a true delight.

Forest Bathing Ground: Utilizing the excellent ecological environment of the mountain’s lush, multi-layered vegetation, a new forest bathing ground has been developed on the northern peak, covering an area of 12 acres. Dongsheshan Forest Bathing Ground not only adopts the essence of international forest bathing concepts but also incorporates rich ethnic elements. The area includes qigong therapy, ethnic bamboo huts, bamboo mazes, and picnic barbecues, offering visitors a perfect setting to immerse themselves in nature’s gifts.

Bird Garden: The Forest Bird Garden was completed in June 1997, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. The park is filled with lush trees and crystal-clear ponds, home to 6,000 to 10,000 birds of nearly 50 species. These include nationally protected rare birds such as the white stork, red-crowned crane, green peafowl, and swan, as well as exotic species like macaws imported from abroad.

Butterfly Garden: Located at the western foothills of Dongsheshan, the Butterfly Garden covers an area of 6,000 square meters and is the largest butterfly viewing spot in East China. It consists of two main parts: a static butterfly art exhibition hall, including a science education display, a showcase of rare butterflies from around the world, and an arts and crafts exhibition; and a dynamic butterfly observation park. Truly, thousands of butterflies gather here, creating a living painting and a flowing poem.

Dry-Land Sled: Located on the northern side of Dongsheshan, this sports and entertainment activity helps build courage, willpower, and coordination. The entire set of equipment is imported from Germany and meets world-class standards. The course is 606 meters long with a height difference of 60 meters and an average slope of 10%, reaching a maximum speed of 10 meters per second.

Sheshan Cable Car: The Sheshan Cable Car is the only aerial passenger cableway in Shanghai. The cableway is 1,080 meters long with an elevation difference of 86 meters, connecting East and West Sheshan. Riding the cable car offers stunning views of both mountains, providing a delightful and relaxing experience.

Shangcui Pavilion: Northwest of the Tingtao Pavilion on Dongsheshan, atop the northern peak, lies a pavilion called Shangcui Pavilion. From here, visitors can enjoy a close-up view of the entire Sheshan landscape and a distant panorama of the beauty of the Nine Peaks. The peaks resemble lying oxen, galloping horses, jade screens, soaring phoenixes, reclining turtles, or giant pillows—each posture sparking the imagination. Overlooking the surrounding area, the picturesque Jiangnan region is covered in lush greenery. One can watch the sunrise at dawn or admire the sunset and evening glow. When the sun sets, the colorful clouds fill the sky, casting a warm hue over the villages, with wisps of cooking smoke, a few scattered figures, and the sounds of chickens and dogs—making it the finest scenic spot on Dongsheshan.

Address: Sheshan Forest Park, Sheshan Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai

Type: Urban Park / Forest

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

Opening Hours:

7:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Free admission. Entry to the mountain is free; the sand sculptures, bird garden, and butterfly garden together cost 30 RMB.

Transportation

Take bus routes Songjiang 92, Songzhong Line, etc., and get off at Shabei Highway Station.

Sheshan Town: Located in the southwestern part of Shanghai’s Songjiang District, adjacent to Songjiang University Town and 35 kilometers from downtown Shanghai and 18 kilometers from Hongqiao International Airport. Covering an area of 74.7 square kilometers, Sheshan Town governs 13 administrative villages and 2 neighborhood committees, with a population of 45,000. It is the largest town in Songjiang District by land area. Shanghai’s only national-level tourist resort—the Sheshan National Tourism Resort—is located here, making it one of the key development zones in Songjiang’s “One City, Three Areas” plan. Sheshan is one of the centers for regional economic development in Songjiang and serves as the northwest gateway to the district. Rich in... Sheshan Town detailed information++