Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden: A Palette of Flowers and Plants

Located in the suburbs of Songjiang, Chenshan Botanical Garden resembles a palette spilled by nature. The Early Creek Flower Mirror is a rainbow of wildflowers, the Deep Pit Garden hides an "underground secret," and the poppy flower sea dazzles the eyes. Even the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of grass and trees. Here, you don’t need to search for the perfect angle—just stand among the flowers, let your skirt brush against petals, and your hair catch the scent of grass. Snap a photo, and it’s like a magazine cover. Whether you’re capturing light and shadow under Chenshan Tower or using slow shutter speed to photograph the flowing water at the Waterfall Rock Garden, even beginners can create "viral shots" for social media. It’s undoubtedly the "healing hotspot" for spring and summer travel photography in Shanghai. 🕘【Opening Hours】: Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM), open year-round. Recommended visit duration: 2.5-3 hours. The best time to visit is during the spring and summer bloom (April to June), when hydrangeas, roses, and poppies are in full bloom, creating vibrant scenes perfect for casual photography. Capture close-ups of flowers and plants in the morning dew or photograph Chenshan Tower bathed in golden sunset light in the evening for soft, dreamy shots. Tips: The park is large, so wear comfortable flat shoes! Avoid stepping on flowers in the flower sea areas; follow the signs indicating "photography zones" to be both respectful and get great shots. 💴【Ticket Prices】: Adult ticket: ¥60. Full-time university students and below can enjoy half-price tickets with a valid student ID. Children aged 6 and under or under 1.3 meters tall, as well as seniors aged 65 and above, can enter for free. ⛺【Attractions】: Early Creek Flower Mirror: The "wildflower carpet" you encounter right after entering, blooming with different flowers from spring to autumn—poppies mixed with daisies in spring, cosmos chasing coreopsis in summer. The flowers grow untamed yet spirited. Wear light-colored dresses and stand by the flower clusters, letting the flowers reach just above your ankles. Squat down to shoot upward angles, capturing both the sky and the flower sea for a fresh, anime-like scene. Don’t miss the wooden benches along the path; sit on one, rest your chin on your hand, and let the flowers serve as your backdrop for a relaxed vibe. Chenshan Tower: A traditional-style tower atop Chenshan, offering panoramic views of the botanical garden’s greenery. The tower’s gray bricks and red eaves contrast beautifully with the blue sky. Stand below the tower to capture a "tower piercing the clouds" shot, or pose beside it for a unique blend of ancient architecture and nature. Sunset is the best time to climb the tower, as the long shadows and golden light create stunning silhouette photos. Deep Pit Garden: Once a quarry, now transformed into an "underground garden"—its walls are covered in greenery, with a pool of turquoise water at the bottom. A walkway encircles the pit, giving the impression of floating in mid-air. From the walkway, you can photograph the pit’s full view, including the greenery, water, and distant waterfall, creating a "hidden paradise" vibe. For a layered effect, crouch by the walkway and shoot the hanging vines against the pit walls as foreground. Waterfall Rock Garden: A "mini waterfall haven" by the pit, where water flows through rock crevices, splashing onto stones. Succulents and ferns grow in the crevices, adding a wild charm. Stand on a flat rock with the waterfall as your backdrop, wearing a white dress for slow-shutter shots that turn the water into mist, making you appear like you’re standing in clouds. Close-up shots of water droplets using a macro lens can capture sparkling moments like tiny diamonds. Exhibition Greenhouses: Three "giant glass bubbles" connected together, housing tropical and subtropical plants. The "Tropical Flower and Fruit Pavilion" features flowering cacti, the "Desert Plant Pavilion" showcases plump succulents, and the "Rare Plant Pavilion" displays exotic flora you’ve likely never seen before. Photograph the greenhouse exteriors reflecting the blue sky for a fairytale-like scene, or take close-ups of plants inside, using large leaves as a backdrop for mysterious portraits. Hydrangea Garden: The "dreamy summer stage," with clusters of hydrangeas in blue, pink, and white forming balls surrounded by low fences, resembling a European garden. Wear light-colored outfits and walk along the flower paths, letting hydrangeas brush against your sides. Capture dynamic shots of yourself walking, with your skirt sweeping the petals for a soft, romantic vibe. For close-ups, pose with blue hydrangeas, touching the petals and smiling upward, blending the blue sky and flowers for a healing effect. Rose Garden: The "fragrant garden" of spring and summer, where climbing roses cover flower arches and ground-planted roses form carpets. Red, yellow, and multicolored roses bloom densely, filling the air with sweetness. Stand under the arches for "flower corridor" shots, looking up to frame the flowers overhead. Walk through the middle for backlit shots, with flower shadows falling on you for a cinematic feel. Poppy Blue Flower Sea: The "social media hotspot" of spring, with a vast sea of blue poppies stretching to the horizon. The wind turns the flower sea into waves, even tinting the sunlight blue. Wear white or light-colored long dresses and run along the edge of the flower sea for dynamic shots, capturing flying skirts and flowing hair for a free-spirited look. Find a vibrant poppy, crouch down for "flower and human" close-ups, letting the flower fill the foreground while you peek from behind for a fresh and lively composition. 🚌【Transportation Guide】: Public Transport: Take Metro Line 9 to "Dongjing Station," then transfer to Songjiang Bus Line 19 to "Chenshan Botanical Garden Station." It’s a 3-minute walk from there, and you can enjoy roadside flower fields on the bus ride for a preview. Driving: Parking costs ¥10 per session, with ample spaces available. Navigate to "Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden Gate 1 Parking Lot," which is close to the flower sea area. Park and head straight to the flower fields! 👉【Itinerary Suggestions】: Nearby Attractions: Guangfulin Relics: 3.6 km away, an 8-minute taxi ride. After visiting the botanical garden, explore "Shanghai’s roots" for a day of nature and history. Sheshan National Forest Park: 5 km away, a 12-minute taxi ride. After a tiring day at the botanical garden, relax at Sheshan, enjoy mountain breezes, and take scenic photos from the summit. The sunset at the mountain base is also stunning. Accommodation Recommendations: Atour Hotel on Zhongshan East Road, Songjiang, Shanghai: 12 km from the botanical garden, a 25-minute taxi ride. Start your day with a hearty buffet breakfast before heading to the garden. After a day of photography, unwind on a soft bed. Free parking and charging stations make driving convenient. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of Songjiang’s nightscape, perfect for relaxing before bed. 🧡【Preparation Tips】: Outfits: Light colors (white, beige, light blue) look best in photos, blending harmoniously with the flowers and plants. Wear long dresses or wide-leg pants for easy movement in flower fields and to flatter your figure. Props: Straw hats, woven bags, transparent umbrellas (for rain scenes or as a diffuser). Other Essentials: Bring sunscreen! The garden has plenty of trees but strong UV rays. Pack water and snacks, as the park is large and you might get hungry. For detailed flower shots, bring a portable macro lens—even a phone can capture stunning images.