Ancient Melody Qu Shui Garden ~ The picturesque beauty of Jiangnan gardens!!!

Exploring Qingpu, Shanghai: Qu Shui Garden—A Model of Exquisite Jiangnan Gardens Stepping into Qu Shui Garden in Qingpu District feels like traveling back to the Jiangnan water towns of the Qianlong era. This small and exquisite classical garden, with its unique charm and long history, has become one of the five major classical gardens in Shanghai, alongside Huangpu Yu Garden, Nanxiang Guyi Garden, Jiading Qiuxia Garden, and Songjiang Zuibai Pond. Basic Information Address: No. 612, Gongyuan Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai. It is conveniently located for visits. Tickets: Completely free, allowing every visitor to easily step into this historical corridor. Transportation: For self-driving visitors, you can park your vehicle at the nearby Qingpu City God Temple parking lot, which is convenient and easy. For public transportation, you can reach the garden directly by combining the metro and bus, with a bus stop right at the park entrance, making travel worry-free. History and Features of Qu Shui Garden Qu Shui Garden was built in the tenth year of Qianlong (1745 AD), with a history of over 270 years. It was originally an affiliated garden of the Qingpu City God Temple and was named "One Wen Garden" because one wen (a small amount of money) was collected from each resident of the city during its construction. In the third year of Jiaqing (1798 AD), it was renamed Qu Shui Garden because of its proximity to Dayingpu and its scenery reminiscent of Wang Xizhi's elegant gathering of "Qu Shui Liu Shang" (floating wine cups along winding water), carrying profound meaning. Scenery within the Garden Every corner of Qu Shui Garden exudes the delicacy and charm of Jiangnan gardens: Mi Bai Stone: The three most praised Taihu stones in the garden are inspired by the Northern Song calligrapher Mi Fu's story of bowing to a strange stone, symbolizing the blessings of Fu, Lu, and Shou (happiness, prosperity, and longevity). Xiao Feilai: The large rockery in the garden, named "Xiao Feilai," not only allows visitors to climb but also offers a great place to enjoy the view from the "Nine Peaks Viewing Pavilion" at the top. It is said that in the past, one could see nine peaks from here, with a broad view. Fogu Pavilion: As the finishing touch of the garden, this triangular pavilion has a unique design, rare and precious. It is located right at the center of the triangular layout of Qu Shui Garden, as if it is the guardian of the garden, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity. Ancient Trees and Famous Plants: The garden is filled with towering ancient trees, including three hundred-year-old green maples on the Xiao Feilai rockery, a 200-year-old zelkova tree on the north bank of the Lotus Pond, and two of the oldest and largest white pines in Shanghai in the courtyard of the "Flower God Hall." These all highlight the garden's long history and natural beauty. Additionally, there are two ancient ginkgo trees that turn golden in autumn, making them the perfect choice for autumn viewing. Qu Shui Garden is renowned for its small size, exquisite layout, and rich scenery. It is an ideal place for visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and savor the charm of Jiangnan. Here, you can slow down, enjoy the scenery step by step, and immerse yourself in the poetic and picturesque classical garden.