Huangpu Park

Renowned as the first park open to the public in China, Huangpu Park was first called the "Public Garden", "Western Garden" or "Wanpoo Garden". It was designed by a Scottish gardener and built in 1886 with European styles. The park gained notoriety at the start of the 20th century for posting a sign that said: "No Dogs or Chinese Allowed." It was not until 1928 that the foreign garden totally opened to Chinese without any restrictions.

After liberation, it was renamed "Huangpu Park". In the 1990s, together with the "Bund Historical Museum" which photographs chronicle the role of the Bund in Shanghai's history, the Monument to the People's Heroes of Shanghai was set up in the park in memory of the immortal martyrs with the three gun-like towers implying the Opium War, the May 4th Movement and the War of Liberation..

This park lies at the far north end of the Bund and offers great photo ops of Pudong. It is a great place to do some people watching in Shanghai. Many locals come to the riverside to have a walk, or simply to escape the heat in summer. This clear space is a treasure for the people who have to share the highly congested space in Shanghai.

As most parks in Shanghai offer free admission today, it is interesting to see what you can do in these parks. Certainly, you can do people-watching from a bench; join the crowd and walk backwards; take off your shoes and walk on the stone massage path; fly a kite; try out the colorful senior citizen exercise equipment; join an English Corner, and sit in a pavilion and eat watermelon seeds. However, you can enjoy yourself by watching others do in parks like ballroom dancing; martial arts; singing local opera; sidewalk calligraphy with a water bottle; playing Chinese chess; hanging pet birds from a tree, and playing the traditional musical instruments.

Fuxing Park

Fuxing Park carries the history of Shanghai. It was originally named Gu's Park after the local Gu family who opened it over 100 years ago. It was renamed the French Park when the French bought it to station armies in 1900. After World War II broke out, the French withdrew from the city and the Japanese Government took over the administration of the French Concession, the park name then became Daxing Park. After the Chinese won the anti-Japanese war in 1945, its name was finally changed to Fuxing Park, the one it still holds today.

The park is the only French style park in Shanghai, showcasing symmetrical fountains and flowerbeds. It is well designed and many different trees provide shelter from the sun here for residents in the hottest months of the year. As a result, it is also called "carpet garden". There is also a slightly surreal sculpture of Marx and Engels (relics of the days when the East was red) in the park that was completed on the ninetieth anniversary of Engels' death on August 5, 1985.

At the heart of the French Concession, Fuxing Park is one of Shanghai's most attractive green spaces. At almost any time of day, the pace of life here feels a few beats slower than the city around it. This bucolic oasis is best enjoyed early on weekday mornings when Tai Chi loyalists, ballroom dancers, fishermen, chess players, opera singers and masseuses spread out across the heavily wooded park to work and gossip. The sight of hundreds of people in synchronized movement is breath taking. You can also see one or two walking backwards - a practice believed to be good for the health. In the afternoon, old men play leisurely games of chess and cards. A favorite hangout for people of all ages, a leisurely stroll will reveal old men playing chess as well as lovers holding hands. On the weekends, retirees who share a similar interest of singing foreign songs meet frequently in the park and the choirs are a nice addition to the park. Different charity activities are staged in the park as well. About 10 years ago, my sister and I went to the park for the consulting service for university application before Jieli sat for the National College Entrance Exams (NCEE). While you are here, do not miss the ShanghArt gallery for one of the best collections of contemporary paintings throughout China. It is always worth popping in to this small and friendly gallery to see what is on display.

The only time the park feel hectic is between midnight and 4 am, when revelers spill out from three of the city's most popular nightclubs, Park 97, Guandii and California Club. The nearby Party World (a famed karaoke venue) means that you could easily run into crowds of partygoers around this area in the evenings, particularly on weekends.

The park features many trees, flowers and grassy areas that makes it seem all the more serene contrasted against the busy shopping always going on nearby. A somewhat old-looking but functional and enjoyable children's play area has slides, swings, amusement rides, and arts and crafts tables. Adults will like the tree-covered walkways and nicely manicured lawns.

The senior from the local lanes are the group that use the park most. At the southern entrance of the park, there are a gingko and a Chinese chestnut (the only one of its kind in Shanghai), where some people practiced "superstitious activities".