Fuxing Park, Shanghai, China

Located in the heart of the former French Concession, Fuxing Park is a vibrant urban oasis that beautifully blends traditional Chinese landscaping with a distinct European design aesthetic.

Originally established in the early 20th century, the park is celebrated for its meticulously maintained flowerbeds, ornate fountains, and shaded walkways lined with London plane trees. Unlike the more rigid structures often found in other public spaces, Fuxing Park offers a sprawling, open layout that has long served as a favorite escape for both locals and travelers seeking a peaceful respite from the high-energy pulse of Shanghai’s bustling streets.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the park is a captivating window into the daily social life of the city. As you wander through its paths, it is common to witness residents practicing tai chi, participating in spirited games of cards or mahjong, and engaging in traditional folk dance or choir rehearsals. This dynamic atmosphere creates a living cultural landscape where the past and present coalesce; whether you are observing the elderly residents enjoying their morning exercise or visiting the modern cafés and clubs situated near its perimeter, Fuxing Park remains a quintessential reflection of Shanghai’s unique colonial heritage and contemporary charm.

Fuxing Park Map

Fuxing Park Information «Located in the central area of Shanghai Municipality, Fuxing Park covers a total area of 76,866 m², with South Chongqing Road to the east, Middle Fuxing Road to the south, Sinan Road to the west, and Yandang Road to the north, adjoining Huaihai Business Street. Fuxing Park is one of the oldest parks in Shanghai and also the only well-protected French-style park in China now. The Park was put into operation in July 1909, known as Gus' Park at that time, commonly called French Park. In 1944, it was renamed as Daxing Park, and then in 1946, the name of Fuxing Park came into being and is still in use today. The whole park gives priority to formal garden style and shows a natural style in the southwest. Through many fluxes in the history, the Park has kept such distinctive scenic spots as Centennial Plane Tree, Sunken Flower Bed, Rose Garden and Marx-Engels Statue, with more than 170 kinds of plants. In 2007, the Park carried out an overall reform, through which its distinctive historic value and humanistic landscape were improved and protected, showing us a better and enhanced charm of French-style park.»

East Entrance

Sunken Flower Bed

Chinese Garden

Chinese Garden «The Chinese Garden is located in the southwest of the Park and gradually extends to the South Entrance. There are typical elements for Chinese landscape architecture in the Garden, such as rockery and waterfall, small bridge and flowing stream, water pavilion and terrace, lake and revetment. The center of the Garden is a lotus pool surrounded by a traditional-pattern terrace made of black and white gravels. Peony, sweet osmanthus and red maple are planted in the Garden, greatly enriching the view.»

Lotus Pool-Waterside Pavilion and Corridor «The waterfall from the rockery will flow into the lotus pool in the east passing through a small bridge. There are lotuses and various water plants in the pool. A waterside pavilion and corridor sits along the south bank of the pool, with a platform extending to the water surface, where people can have a rest or view the lotus pond. In the northeast of the pool, a crooked dyke separates a small water pool, which is covered by an inclined plane tree. The waterfall and the water pool are connected with the brook in the east, forming the circulating water system of the Garden.»

Playing Chinese-style chess

Rockery, Waterfall and Hexagonal Pavilion «Located in the southwest of the Park and piled with lake stones and excavated soils, the rockery is under the shade of trees, The entire rockery is not high. There is a path to the top, where the hexagonal pavilion is located, from which you can overlook the landscape in the Garden. There is a protruded rock on the cliff in front of the pavilion, with flowing water murmuring down to the lake. There is a cave under the cliff, where people can go through the waterfall.»

Rose Garden

Rosa chinensis (Rosaceae, Pink) «Rosa chinensis is a well-known flower in China, known as "The Queen of Flowers". It is a kind of deciduous or evergreen shrub, or a kind of climbing liana. Its flowers in various colors bloom at branch tips. Its flowering phase lasts from April to October in the north, and March to November in the south. The flowers most luxuriate in spring. Rose, rosa chinensis and rambler rose all belong to rosa. In Chinese, those solitary ones with large flower diameter are called rosa chinensis, and those small cespitose ones are called rambler rose, while those supporting essence refinement are named as rose. In English, all of them are collectively called rose.»

Spring Square

Statues in Fuxing Park

Leaving Fuxing Park

See Also

• Former Residence of Zhou Enlai
• The Bund

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Source

• Fuxing Park - Wikipedia

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Location