Sheshan National Forest Park is located in the southwestern suburbs of Shanghai, within the Songjiang District. The park is known for its dense pine and bamboo forests and beautiful scenery. In addition to the frequently visited East Sheshan and West Sheshan, there are 12 other peaks including Tianma Mountain and Xiaokunshan. Although the mountains are not tall, as "mountains" are a rare resource in Shanghai, this place is a popular destination for hiking, leisure, and spring outings in the city.
During the prosperous times, each mountain had "Ten Scenes" or "Eight Scenes" named by scholars of past dynasties. There were famous gardens and villas, pavilions, and towers scattered throughout, and temples and Taoist monasteries were common on all the mountains, with as many as 1,048 halls and rooms, indicating the prosperity of Buddhism at the time. The famous traveler Xu Xiake visited five times. Unfortunately, these historical sites and scenic spots gradually disappeared after the early Qing Dynasty. Some old attractions were restored and new ones were built starting in 1993.
West Sheshan Park is one of the better-preserved and larger parks among the Sheshan peaks. In the northern part of the mountaintop, there is the Sheshan Catholic Church with a religious atmosphere, which integrates architectural styles from various countries: the vaulted ceiling and aisle are Romanesque; the columns are Greek; the spires are Gothic; the olive-shaped bell tower is Israeli; the small dome at the east end is Spanish; the clear water wall, angular floor tiles, and glazed tiles are Chinese, making the overall architecture grand and magnificent. In the southern part of the mountaintop is the Sheshan Observatory, funded by Jesuit priests and built in the 26th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1900 AD). The new observatory is a gathering place for astronomy enthusiasts during astronomical wonders, while the old observatory is open for visitors to tour. Additionally, there is the Sheshan Seminary on the southwest slopes and the Sheshan Zhongshan Virgin Mary Church on the southern mid-mountain.
East Sheshan Park features the Bird Garden, where visitors can buy bird food to feed the birds and interact with them. The historical attractions on the mountain, such as the Wooden Fish Stone, Qilong Weir, Boiling Fragrance Spring, Mei Gong Fishing Rock, and White Stone Pavilion, have been restored, and new attractions related to bamboo culture have been built. The newly built Forest Bathing Area includes qigong therapy, ethnic bamboo buildings, bamboo mazes, and picnic barbecues, offering a fresh leisure experience in addition to mountain climbing and sightseeing.
Opening Hours
From May 1st to October 7th, open from 08:30 to 17:00;
From October 8th to April 30th, open from 08:30 to 16:30.
Preferential Policies
Additional note: This is a free attraction with no preferential policies.
Service Facilities
Mobile phone charging: Rental of power banks Nursing room: Located at the leaf toilet near the east gate of West Sheshan Vending machines: At the entrance of the scenic area
Address
No. 9258, Qing Song Highway, Sheshan Ta Nongkou, Songjiang District
Opening Hours
Open from 08:30 to 16:30 (last entry at 16:00).
Official Phone Numbers
021-57657231, 021-57653423, 021-57653235
