18 Things You Must Know Before Going to 'Qu Shui Garden'| One of the Five Classical Gardens in Shanghai

The Qu Shui Garden in Qingpu, which was built in the tenth year of Qianlong (1745), is a Jiangnan ancient garden with a history of more than 270 years. It is known for its 'cherry blossoms competing in spring, lotus flowers emerging in summer, osmanthus fragrant in autumn, and plum blossoms shining in winter'. It is listed as one of the five classical gardens in Shanghai along with Huangpu Yuyuan, Jiading Qiuxia Garden, Nanxiang Guyi Garden, and Songjiang Zuibai Pond. ‼️Things you must know before going to 'Qu Shui Garden': 1️⃣Qu Shui Garden is located at No. 612, Gongyuan Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai, covering nearly 30 acres. It is adjacent to the Qingpu City Wall River in the east and the City God Temple in the west. It was built in the tenth year of Qianlong (1745). It was originally the temple garden of the Qingpu City God Temple. The garden construction funds came from the temple repair funds donated by residents at 1 Wen per person per year, hence it is also known as 'One Wen Garden', a 'five-star' park in Shanghai, and a cultural relic protection unit in Shanghai. 2️⃣Qu Shui Garden is known for its small and exquisite, elegant and simple style. The buildings in the garden are composed of green tiles, white walls, and green bricks. There are 24 scenic spots in the garden, which are famous for their water features. The winding water in the garden connects the lotus pond, the hall is near the water, the pavilion is by the pond, one mountain supports two ponds, and the garden tour must go around the pond. 3️⃣The ancient buildings in the garden are centered on Ninghe Hall, with four main doors in the vertical direction, front hall and back room (Ninghe Hall, Qinglai Mountain House), lotus pond, large rockery; one horizontal axis hall, Huashen Hall, Youjue Hall stand side by side in the east and west, 3 halls are separated by walls, winding paths are connected, the garden scenery has the characteristics of Jiangnan gardens, and also has the elegant scenery of secluded temples and gardens. 4️⃣There are many ancient trees in the garden, represented by more than 70 ancient trees and famous trees such as Osmanthus and Green Pine, as well as the vigorous growth of subsequent resources of ancient trees, with lush branches and leaves, green and lush, shading the sky, and it is not hot to come to Qu Shui Garden in summer, and the ecological environment is very good. 5️⃣The paths in Qu Shui Garden are winding and winding, and it is very easy to get dizzy when you come for the first time. Recommended Qu Shui Garden tour route: South Gate Entrance➡️Yi Gate➡️Ninghe Hall➡️Boat House Non-water➡️Xiyu Bridge➡️Shigu Wen Shuyi Garden➡️Nine Peaks at a Glance➡️Sleeping Lotus Pond➡️Xiaohao Liang➡️Nine Curved Bridge➡️Qinglai Mountain House➡️Huanhe Xuan➡️Yongzhen Zhai➡️Green Wave Corridor➡️Yueyang Pavilion➡️Mirror Heart Reed➡️Jiyun Pavilion➡️Yingxi Pavilion➡️Release Pond➡️Peony Pavilion➡️Flower God Hall➡️South Gate Exit 6️⃣Yi Gate: The gray brick carved gate tower, this gate was repaired in 2004, there is a pair of stone lions at the gate, the black tile roof, antique, flying eaves and corners, the bucket arch under the eaves is uniquely shaped, the brick carving of the Yi Gate is carved by techniques such as flat carving, relief, hollow carving, and through carving. The craftsmanship is exquisite, the subject matter is diverse, and it is a fine product in the brick carving of Jiangnan Garden. 7️⃣Ninghe Hall: It is the central building of Qu Shui Garden, built in the 32nd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1767), with green tiles and white walls. The hall has a veranda, and there is a railing under the veranda for viewing. There are three Taihu stones of Fu, Lu, and Shou on the southwest bank of the lotus pond behind the hall, called Mi Bai Stone, which is derived from the story of the Northern Song Dynasty calligrapher Mi Fu seeing strange stones and worshipping them, and it is also a scene in the garden. 8️⃣Boat House Non-water: Commonly known as Dry Boat, it was built in the 32nd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1767). The bow of the boat is shaped like a pavilion. The roll shed rests on the mountain top, and the corners are flying. The cabin and stern are shaped like a pavilion. The cabin has long windows on three sides, and tourists can board the boat to watch the reflection in the pond. 9️⃣Xiyu Bridge: The bridge is less than a foot high, only more than two feet long, and only seven feet wide, but it is very delicate: Guan Shi plays with two dragons, lifelike, two pairs of stone lions on the crossbar are about to come out. 1️⃣0️⃣Shigu Wen Shuyi Garden: Shigu is mysterious, the ink rhyme of the stele corridor, the small bridge and clear stream, the ancient relics of the pavilion and terrace, not only enjoy the joy of garden viewing, but also enlighten the viewing of Shigu. The stone drum in Qu Shui Garden was established in 2006, and it was carved according to the original stone drum in the Palace Museum and the documents of the past dynasties. 1️⃣1️⃣Nine Peaks at a Glance: The highest point of Qu Shui Garden is the essence of the entire garden. When the mountains were stacked that year, you can look far away from Beiyu Mountain, Hengshan, Xueshan, Xiaoji Mountain, Chenshan, Yushan, Phoenix Mountain, Tianma Mountain, and Xiaokun Mountain. Therefore, it is named 'Nine Peaks at a Glance'. Now you can only overlook the Qu Shui Garden in front of you😅 1️⃣2️⃣Xiaohao Liang: This pavilion was built in the Qing Dynasty, with six corners and a pointed top, exquisite and delicate. There is a crane standing on the treasure top, and there are five lions of different sizes and postures on each hanging ridge. It is located on the edge of the lotus pond at the southwest foot of Xiaofeilai, leaning against the mountain and the water, which can not only set off the towering mountain, but also get the beautiful reflection. 1️⃣3️⃣Qinglai Mountain House: On a platform made of bluestone in the northern part of the garden, there is a lotus pond under the platform. The style of the mountain house is different from most of the ancient buildings in the garden. It is a three-room flat house with pink walls and black tiles. There are six floor-to-ceiling lattice windows in the middle, and the light in the room is bright. 1️⃣4️⃣Huanhe Xuan: In the northeast corner of Qu Shui Garden, next to Qinglai Mountain House, when part of Qu Shui Garden was still a subsidiary garden of Qingpu Yifu Temple, the Taoist priests in the temple raised cranes here, so it was called Huanhe Xuan. 1️⃣5️⃣Yongzhen Zhai: Yongzhen Zhai is located at the north end of Qu Shui Garden, the end of the Green Wave Corridor. It was built in 2006 and is the youngest building in Qu Shui Garden. In terms of the location of Yongzhen Zhai, it should be the perfect ending for the endless scenery of the Green Wave Corridor. 1️⃣6️⃣Yingxi Pavilion: Built in the late Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it is located on the east bank of the lotus pond, half on land and half on the water. Because it faces east, the red sun rises in the east, the pavilion is full of golden and jade brilliance, hence the name Yingxi. There are many more viewing spots that are not detailed, if you like Jiangnan ancient gardens, you can visit them👀 1️⃣7️⃣Next to Qu Shui Garden is Qingpu City God Temple, an important Taoist palace in Qingpu area. It was built in the sixth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1573) and has a history of more than 400 years. Due to the good internal protection during the use as a museum in 1958. Qingpu City God Temple was slightly renovated and reopened in early 2006. It is a palace worth visiting. (🕐8:30-16:30, 10 yuan incense coupon) 1️⃣8️⃣The park does not have a parking lot, self-driving cars can be parked next to Qingpu City God Temple (No. 650, Gongyuan Road), 10 yuan incense coupon for free parking for one hour, overtime 3 yuan/half hour, not many parking spaces. 🚇Line 17, Cao Ying Road Subway Station-2A Exit, taxi starting fee to Qu Shui Garden, or 'Yinggang Road Cao Ying Road Bus Station' transfer to Qingpu 9 Road (Huaqing South Road Shanghai Qingping Highway Direction) Gongyuan Road Chengzhong North Road Bus Station to Qu Shui Garden. ⛰Basic Guide: 'Qu Shui Garden' 📍Detailed address: No. 612, Gongyuan Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai 🕙Opening hours: May 1st to October 6th, 06:00-17:00, stop admission at 16:30; October 7th to April 30th of the following year, 06:00-21:00, stop admission at 20:30 💰Ticket price: Free