Shanghai Grand View Garden
Shanghai Grand View Garden is located at 701 Qingshang Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai. It is a five-star park and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, nestled on the west bank of Dianshan Lake, about 65 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. Covering an area of 135 acres with a building area of around 8,000 square meters, the garden was originally known as the Dianshan Lake Scenic Area. In 1991, it was renamed Shanghai Grand View Garden and its size was expanded to 1,500 acres. As a key project in Shanghai's spiritual civilization development, the garden has undergone several renovations and expansions and has now evolved into a comprehensive leisure park offering sightseeing, tourism, and relaxation. In 2000, it was recognized as a National 4A-level tourist attraction by the China National Tourism Administration.
Shanghai Grand View Garden is a large-scale, meticulously designed replica of a classical Chinese garden, inspired by the famous Qing Dynasty novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The design of the garden was overseen by renowned Shanghai landscape architect Liang Yousong. The overall layout centers around the Grand View Pavilion, with the garden’s main axis defined by structures such as the "Visiting Relatives Pavilion," the stone archway, stone lanterns, the fragrant lake, and the “Illusory Realm” carved wall, leading visitors through winding paths to tranquil and secluded spaces. To the west, you'll find the "Red Chamber" areas such as the "Yihong Courtyard," "Long Cui Temple," and "Pear Fragrance Pavilion," while the eastern side features the "Xiaoxiang Pavilion," "Hengwu Courtyard," "Liangfeng Studio," and "Rice Fragrance Village," as well as over 20 other distinctive architectural spots.
Although the garden's construction was not fully completed, it opened to visitors in 1980 and officially became a public attraction in October 1988. Since then, it has welcomed nearly 20 million guests from both home and abroad. Shanghai Grand View Garden has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Building Luban Award, the top ten buildings in Shanghai’s 40th anniversary celebrations, top ten leisure attractions, outstanding buildings for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai’s top ten tourism-themed gardens, and recognition as one of Shanghai’s seven most civilized parks, among others.
Within the garden, visitors can marvel at a stunning collection of rare and valuable artifacts, including hardwood furniture, bronze relics, jade pieces, and porcelain, all of which display exceptional craftsmanship. The majority of these items were collected from private individuals during the garden's construction, while others were sourced from antique shops, restored, or specially commissioned. The vast collection of hardwood furniture, with its impressive variety and number, is a distinctive feature of the garden. In total, over 500 priceless items from various dynasties are displayed across the garden's various courtyards and galleries.
Shanghai Grand View Garden offers an enchanting escape into the world of classical Chinese beauty, art, and culture, blending the allure of the ancient with the tranquility of nature. It’s a place where visitors can experience the rich history and literary tradition of Dream of the Red Chamber while enjoying a peaceful and immersive environment.
