In the bustling international metropolis of Shanghai, Sheshan is like a bright green pearl, exuding a unique charm. It is the only natural mountain – forest resort in Shanghai, and attracts countless tourists to explore with its beautiful natural scenery, profound cultural heritage and rich tourism resources.
Sheshan is composed of nine peaks and twelve mountains, with a forest coverage rate of 80.35%. The negative – oxygen ion content in the air is more than 300 times that of the city center, and it is known as the “Lung of Shanghai” and a “Natural Oxygen Bar”. It has 401 hectares of original mountain forests. The bamboo sea of East Sheshan is lush, and the ancient trees of West Sheshan are towering, forming the most precious ecological background of Shanghai. Walking on the trail in the mountains, with soft fallen leaves underfoot and the clear chirping of birds in the ears, people feel as if they are in a fairy – tale world.
East Sheshan takes bamboo as its soul. The 360 – mu bamboo forest is like a continuous sea, and when the breeze blows, the bamboo waves roll. There are also historical relics such as Qianlong Pavilion, Xixin Spring and Meigong Fishing Rock in the mountains, and every scene tells a story. West Sheshan integrates humanity and nature. Although its altitude is only 100.8 meters, it bears the heaviest memories of Shanghai. The Sheshan Basilica on the top of the mountain is known as the “No.1 Cathedral in the Far – East”. The Gothic – style architecture is ingeniously integrated with the Chinese – style garden, and the red bricks and white walls are particularly solemn against the background of the green mountains, which is a vivid witness of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. Not far away, the Shanghai Astronomical Museum is the cradle of modern astronomy in China. The century – old astronomical telescope stands quietly, telling the romance and perseverance of the Chinese in exploring the starry sky.
Sheshan has a long – standing history. According to historical records, there are three sayings about the origin of the name of Sheshan. One saying is that according to the local folklore, it was previously called “Snake Mountain”, and later, because the word “snake” was considered inauspicious, it was renamed “Sheshan”. Another saying is that Lady She Taijun once visited this place, and people admired the achievements of the Yang Family, so they named the mountain after her. The third saying is that a general with the surname She in the Eastern Han Dynasty lived in seclusion here, so the mountain got its name. In addition, when Emperor Kangxi made a southern tour, he tasted the bamboo shoots produced in Sheshan. He felt that they were tender, delicate and had the fragrance of orchids, so he inscribed the plaque with the words “Lansun Mountain” (Orchid Bamboo Shoot Mountain). Since then, Sheshan has this alias.
In addition to natural and cultural landscapes, there are many places worth visiting around Sheshan. The Shenkeng Secret Realm Paradise next to the Sheshan Shimao Intercontinental Hotel has newly – upgraded projects such as glass – bottomed walkways and cliff swings, which are both exciting and romantic. The Guangfulin Cultural Relic Site is the “Root of Shanghai”. The ancestors lived and multiplied here 5,000 years ago. Now, it integrates underwater museums, Huizhou – style ancient buildings, etc., and has become a must – visit place to understand the history of Shanghai.
In Sheshan, you can also enjoy rich leisure and entertainment experiences. Shanghai Happy Valley has many amusement facilities, including the first standing roller coaster in Asia, which can meet the needs of tourists of different ages. The Maya Ice and Snow World has a real – snow field of more than 10,000 square meters, allowing people in Shanghai to experience the fun of playing in the snow at their doorstep. As one of the largest botanical gardens in East China, Chenshan Botanical Garden has more than ten thousand kinds of plants blooming, and it is an excellent place for plant research and study and photo – taking.
In terms of transportation, you can take Metro Line 9 directly to Sheshan Station, and then transfer to a bus to reach the scenic area, which is very convenient. If you drive by yourself, navigate to “Sheshan National Forest Park”, and parking is also very convenient. Sheshan National Forest Park is free of charge, allowing more people to easily get close to this natural and cultural resort.
Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquility and freshness of nature, or explore history and culture and feel the precipitation of time, Sheshan in Shanghai is an excellent choice. It is like a thick book, with every page full of stories, waiting for tourists to read carefully.
