Qiuxia Garden is located in the Jiading district of Shanghai and is renowned alongside Yu Garden, Guyi Garden, Zui Bai Pond, and Qu Shui Garden as one of Shanghai’s classical gardens. The garden is compactly arranged with clear ponds at its heart, surrounded by stone mountains and towering ancient trees, offering a unique experience where every step reveals a new scene. Qiuxia Garden was first established during the Ming Dynasty by merging three private gardens: Gong’s Garden, Shen’s Garden, and Jin’s Garden, along with the City God Temple (Yi Miao). Most of the structures within the garden date back to the Ming Dynasty, while the City God Temple can be traced back to the Song Dynasty.
The garden is divided into four scenic areas: Peach Blossom Pond Scenic Area, Ningxia Pavilion Scenic Area, Qingjing Pond Scenic Area, and Yi Miao Scenic Area, with the main feature being the Poolside Thatched Cottage in the Peach Blossom Pond Scenic Area. Every autumn, the garden is adorned with red maples, making it an ideal place for maple viewing and photography. Entering the garden from the south gate, one first arrives at the Yi Miao Scenic Area in the southeast of the garden, where the main structures include the main hall, the ‘gong’ corridor, and the sleeping palace, all of which were rebuilt during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The main hall is grand and tall, currently serving as the Shanghai Folk Culture Exhibition Center’s ‘Shanghai Local Customs and Traditions’ exhibition room. The sleeping palace is adorned with a large bed and other luxurious furnishings.
Additionally, the well pavilions on either side of the south gate of the garden are original structures of the Yi Miao. The Ningxia Pavilion Scenic Area, located in the eastern part of the garden and originally the site of Shen’s Garden, features interconnected courtyards and corridors, with a large number of trees and flowers. The area is centered around a large screen mountain made of Taihu stones, surrounded by structures such as Ningxia Pavilion, Liao Yan Hall, You Chong Hall, Fu Shu Hall, Huan Cui Pavilion, Ping Shan Hall, and Shu Yu Studio.
The Peach Blossom Pond Scenic Area, located in the southwest of the garden and originally part of Gong’s Garden, is centered around the Peach Blossom Pond. It includes structures such as Wan Xiang Residence, Ji Xia Pavilion, Poolside Thatched Cottage, Yi Wei Hall to the south, Cong Gui Pavilion to the west, and Ji Shan Pavilion, Bi Guang Pavilion to the north. These structures are either built on the mountains or constructed by the pond. The Poolside Thatched Cottage resembles a boat, hence its alternative name ‘Boat Without Oars Pavilion,’ offering a splendid view of the Peach Blossom Pond.
The Qingjing Pond Scenic Area, located in the northern part of the garden and the site of Jin’s Garden, has the Qingjing Pond connected to the Peach Blossom Pond to the south. To the north of the pond is the San Yin Hall, and to the east are Liu Yun Residence, Qiu Shui Pavilion, and Qing Pavilion, while to the west are Qing Song Ridge, Sui Han Pavilion, and Bu Pavilion. Qing Song Ridge is a man-made hill covered with green pines, red maples, white magnolias, wintersweet, and other trees, as well as artificial mountains, waterfalls, and pavilions, making it an excellent spot for rest and relaxation.
Opening Hours: The garden is open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30. Preferential Policies: For military personnel, including retired officials, retired military personnel, active-duty soldiers, martyrs’ families, disabled (military) individuals, and veterans. Free admission for seniors aged 65 and above (including 65 years old); 20% discount for seniors aged 60 to 64 years old (including 60 years old but excluding 65 years old). Free admission for children aged 6 years old (including 6 years old) or under 1.3 meters (including 1.3 meters) in height. Holders of the ‘Jiading Elite Talent Service Card’: Holders of the ‘Jiading Elite Talent Service Card’ (each person can bring up to 3 additional people for free).
Free Admission for Firefighters: Active, retired, and disabled firefighters (including government-employed firefighters) and students from fire rescue academies. Free Admission for Students: Full-time undergraduate and below students. Half-price Admission: Ages 6 to 18 years old (not including 6 years old, including 18 years old). Half-price for Shanghai Trade Union Cardholders: The Shanghai Trade Union Card is for the cardholder’s personal use only, with a 20% discount. Additional Information: Visitors must provide valid identification documents (or electronic identification) such as ID cards, senior citizen cards, social security cards, residence permits, military officer certificates, disability certificates, student cards, and fire service certificates to enjoy the above discounts.
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