A one-day trip to Songjiang: From Sheshan to Guangfulin, you'll see the scenery and remember its origins.
West Sheshan
Xisheshan Scenic Area boasts the best environment and largest area among the Nine Peaks of Yunjian. Towering ancient trees and lush bamboos shade the mountaintop. Deep within the dense shade of the summit stands an imposing ochre-red building, renowned as the "First Cathedral in the Far East." Adjacent to it is a dome-shaped structure, home to China's oldest astronomical observatory.
The Zhongshan Church, the Three Saints Pavilion, the winding Via Dolorosa, and the over a thousand-year-old Xiudaozhe Tower, nestled on the mountainside, add a touch of mystery. Starting from Xishe Mountain and ending at Guangfulin, today's cultural journey will not only explore the natural scenery but also the cultural landscape.
【Show Taoist Tower】
The Xiu Daozhe Pagoda, also known as the Moon Shadow Pagoda and the Cong Daoist Pagoda, was first built during the Taiping Xingguo period of the Northern Song Dynasty (976-984). An inscription in front of the pagoda tells of its origins, stating that there was a "Chaoyin Temple" in the mountains. Therein resided a Taoist named "Xiu." This Taoist participated in the construction of the pagoda and, after its completion, set himself on fire, hence the name Xiu Daozhe Pagoda.
The pagoda also boasts a legend about the Shaolin monk Yushan. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, She Temple abbot Shuiqing led the monks in resisting pirate attacks. During one such incident, they pursued the pirates without backup, resulting in the deaths of many. Local residents subsequently buried their remains at the summit of Sheshan Mountain and built the "Xiu Daozhe Pagoda" to commemorate their meritorious service.
After visiting the Xiudaozhe Tower, we climbed up the stone steps that were only wide enough for two people to pass and arrived at the observation deck in front of the Sheshan Observatory.
The observation deck has a very wide view. There are astronomical telescopes placed on the edge for tourists to use. The star maps of various constellations are engraved on the observation deck fence. It is said that when the observatory was open in the past, it was often crowded with stargazing enthusiasts.
【Sheshan Observatory】
In 1900, Jesuit missionaries from Paris built a new observatory on Sheshan Mountain, installing a 40-centimeter binocular refracting telescope purchased from France. At the time, it was the largest telescope in Asia. Over the last century, it supported generations of Chinese and Western astronomers through countless sleepless nights, capturing countless precious celestial photographs. It wasn't until the 1980s, when the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory designed and built a more advanced 1.56-meter astrometric telescope, that this "telescope of the century" gradually withdrew from the forefront of scientific research.
【Sheshan Catholic Church】
Built by French missionaries, its architectural features are that the mountain and the building are integrated, and the colors are harmonious and natural. The church integrates Greek, Roman, and Gothic architectural art, and partially adopts traditional Chinese techniques, which can be said to be a combination of Chinese and Western styles. On a macro level, it fully embodies the aesthetic principle of symmetry within asymmetry in architecture. The church is majestic and spacious, and speeches inside the hall can be amplified without the need for loudspeakers, and there is no echo interference.
Due to the grandeur of Sheshan Catholic Church, the Pope designated it a "Temple" in 1942. Believers make pilgrimages to Sheshan, climbing the Via Dolorosa steps to experience Jesus's suffering and experience a spiritual uplift. Every May, believers from across the country make the pilgrimage.
After visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady, we walked down the mountain along the Via Dolorosa. Along the way, there were believers kneeling on the ground and the sound of chanting was endless.
We rushed down the mountain and arrived at the Dongdaemun exit. After taking a group photo, walk a few dozen meters to the right and there is a bus that goes directly to Guangfulin [Songjiang Route 33]. If the weather is not too sunny, you can also choose to ride a shared bicycle. The roadside trees are ginkgo trees, which are already showing signs of turning yellow. It will be very beautiful when they are all yellow in mid-November.
Guangfulin
Anciently known as Huangfulin, the site is said to be "a treasured site of the Wu Kingdom, with Jiufeng Lake and Maohu." Legend has it that Songjiang Huating originated from this site. This, of course, is inspired by Huangfuting, the former residence of the King of Wu. The site boasts a rich history dating back to the late Neolithic Age, inheriting the Songze and Liangzhu cultures. Migrants from the north arrived, and the site reveals numerous agricultural civilizations.
In summer, you can see lotus flowers blooming in the farmland, as well as display boards for crops and fruits. The bronze statue of the golden longhorn beetle blesses a good harvest, and there are also indigenous huts. In the autumn and winter maple leaf season, the cattle and sheep under the gradually red maple trees blend with the warm winter sun, which is beautiful.
Tips:
Tickets: 40 on weekdays, 50 on weekends, half price for seniors and children
It is recommended that you buy tickets, which include the Cultural Exhibition Hall, and I personally think that the Cultural Exhibition Hall is the most worth seeing place in Guangfulin.
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
【Fulin Screen Wall】
Accompanied by Lu Runyu's "Ten Scenes of Fulin", it shows the prosperous scene of cattail sails popular in Jiangnan at that time. The Double Jinshi Archway (Jixian Archway) was built during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty to commend the two brothers Cao Shihe and Cao Shizhong.
【Zhiye Zen Temple】
Built in memory of the benevolent wandering monk Master Zhiye, the locals called it "Zhiye Temple." Today, the remains of his memory, including the Zhiye Bridge, the Monk's Tunnel, and the Monk's Tomb, remain in Guangfulin.
The renovated Zhiye Zen Temple not only houses the Patriarchal Hall with a statue of Master Zhiye, but also enshrines the only "Five-Direction Manjusri" in a Shanghai temple, representing the profound cultural atmosphere of Guangfulin.
Zhiye Zen Temple gives people a feeling of tranquility. Even though there are many tourists, the red walls and eaves, and the red wish silks fluttering in the wind on the branches still highlight the tranquility of this temple.
Currently, Zhiye Zen Temple has also set up a "One-Day Zen" activity, and you can participate by applying in advance.
【Fulin Tower】
The three-tiered eaves pagoda, built in the style of the late Tang Dynasty, is rich in color, and walking along the paths beside it gives you the illusion of being in Kyoto. In fact, Japan sent more than a dozen envoys to the Tang Dynasty to learn about Chinese culture.
The sheer number, scale, duration, and richness of the events are truly unprecedented in the history of cultural exchange between China and Japan. Many temples and buildings in Japan have retained the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty in good condition.
【Cultural Exhibition Hall】
The roof of the nearby Santing floats in Fulin Lake, and it is said that there are ancient mysteries that have not yet been excavated underneath. The design was inspired by the "Santing Port" on the shore, and the design concept was taken from the traditional architectural format of the Jiangnan region. There are three courtyards from north to south, and the circular building on the west side of the first courtyard symbolizes a pile of rice for a good harvest.
The underwater museum is based on the concept of a journey through time and space. Through the design of scenes such as the archaeological memory of Guangfulin, the evolution of Shanghai's land formation, the arrival of ancestors' activities, the formation of city characteristics, the prosperity of Songjiang County, the rise of Shanghai city, and the future, people can experience and understand the city of Shanghai in the time tunnel, where it came from and where it is going.
There are also stilt buildings, brick and tile walls in the color of the Forbidden City, horse-head walls with the characteristics of Hui style architecture, stone carvings, brick carvings, wood carvings, Vermillion Bird Gate, enclosed courtyards, flying eaves and sloping roofs, etc., all of which reflect the glorious history of China's architectural art and early civilization.
The Guangfulin culture was not identified by experts until 2006 as a newly discovered archaeological culture dating back approximately 4,000 years. The Songjiang Guangfulin Cultural Site encompasses several areas, including a folk culture display area, a farmland protection area, and an ancient town renovation area. The folk culture display area includes the Zen Teahouse, the City Café, the Guangfulin Restaurant, as well as three underwater structures: the Cultural Exchange Center, the Multi-functional Conference Center, and the Guangfulin Cultural Exhibition Hall.
Tips:
The park itself recommends three visiting routes:
The first one is a root-seeking journey, which includes Fulin Gate - Fulin Seal - Chen Zilong Memorial Hall - Cultural Exhibition Hall.
The second is a leisure tour, which includes Fulin Screen Wall - Wood Art Heritage Exhibition Hall - Zhiye Zen Temple - Fucheng Temple - Bone Needle Square.
The third is a cultural tour, which includes the Ancient Pottery Art Museum - Zhiye Zen Temple - Wood Art Heritage Exhibition Hall - Guangfulin City God Temple - Guandi Temple.
You can go sightseeing based on this, or you can take a big loop and visit every point.
