Sheshan National Forest Park

Honestly, I was a bit let down. The entrance fee isn’t high, but the park felt a little neglected—some railings were rusty and one of the viewing platforms was closed. The signage is confusing too, and I ended up on a service road instead of the forest trail. The views from the top are okay if you get clear weather, but the trees block a lot of the panorama. Not bad for a quick city escape, but I wouldn’t go out of my way again.

Nice escape from the city, but it got crowded quickly after 10am. The paths are pretty and the historical spots are worth the entrance fee. I took off one star because some visitors were playing loud music on speakers, and there is hardly any phone signal in the upper part—which was actually a plus. Overall a good half-day trip, just go early and avoid weekends if you can.

Took the kids on a sunny Saturday. We walked from the east side up through the woods and did the little nature loop. The kids were thrilled to spot squirrels and a few large spiders, which they were weirdly fascinated by. Every few hundred meters there are benches and shady rest areas, so even our youngest managed fine. The snack stall near the top only had packaged stuff, but we had carried our own picnic. It felt like a mini adventure without leaving Shanghai. We’ll definitely come back in spring.

This place has so much more history than I expected. The Sheshan Basilica is stunning, even for non-religious visitors, and the old observatory is super interesting. The combined ticket is cheap, and the walk between the sites is mostly shaded. The staff at the gate were friendly too. It’s not a huge physical challenge, but the trails are well-marked. Highly recommend getting there before 9am to enjoy the calm before the tour groups arrive.

Went on a clear autumn morning and had the most peaceful hike. The air was so fresh and the bamboo forest path is gorgeous. It’s hard to believe you’re still in Shanghai. We took our time, watched a few birds, and the view from the top over the lake and pine trees was fantastic. Bring water and good shoes because the steps can get slippery with fallen leaves. Definitely my happy place for a weekend reset.

Good spot for a half-day escape. The forest is dense and provides nice shade even in summer. We did the walking trail up to the cathedral and enjoyed the historical exhibits inside. Downside: the food stalls near the entrance are overpriced and mediocre. Worth bringing your own snacks. Overall a solid 4/5 experience.

I visited on a crisp autumn morning and it was simply magical. The golden leaves, the quiet trails, and the distant sound of temple bells—everything was perfect. The view from the top overlooks the entire Songjiang area. I’m not usually a reviewer, but this place deserves a shoutout. Will definitely return for cherry blossom season.

It’s a nice park but honestly felt a bit underwhelming for the entrance fee. The main attraction (the observation deck) was closed for maintenance when we visited, which was disappointing. The paths are clean and it’s pleasant enough for a short stroll, but I wouldn’t go out of my way. If you’re in the area, sure, but not a must-see. Three stars.

Great place for a quick nature getaway without leaving Shanghai. The forest is lush and the air feels noticeably cleaner. We rented a tandem bike and cycled around the base—super fun. Only complaint is the signage is a bit confusing near the east entrance, but staff were helpful. Would recommend going early to avoid crowds. Five stars from me.

The hike up to the top was rewarding with great views of the city skyline in the distance. The trails are well-maintained and the bamboo forest section is really peaceful. I loved the old basilica at the summit—it adds a unique charm. A solid day trip if you want to escape the urban noise, though the cable car queues can be long on weekends. Definitely coming back with a picnic next time!

Honestly, I was expecting more for a “national forest park”. The main trail is extremely crowded on a Saturday, and the entry fee felt a bit steep for what you get. Some parts of the path are overgrown with weeds, and I saw litter near the benches. The view from the top is decent but nothing spectacular compared to other parks in the region. Might skip this one next time — just okay.

Nice park overall — the forest feels genuinely wild in places and the climb is rewarding. However, the signage could be a lot better; I took a wrong turn twice and ended up on a closed path. Also the toilets near the middle of the trail were not very clean. Still, the fresh air and quiet atmosphere made it a good escape from the city. Solid 4 stars.

Perfect spot for landscape photography. I went early in the morning right when it opened and had the place almost to myself. The mist over the trees near the reservoir was dreamy. Caught some great shots of the pagoda peeking through the fog. The staff at the ticket office were friendly too. Definitely coming back in autumn for the foliage colors.

Took the kids here on a weekend and they had a blast. The cable car ride was a hit, and the little playground near the entrance kept them busy for an hour. The forest is spacious enough that even with a lot of visitors it didn't feel too crowded. Only wish there were more food options inside — we ended up eating at the snack stand near the parking lot. Still, a solid 5 out of 5 for a family day out.

Absolutely loved my hike here! The trails are well-maintained and the bamboo forest section is magical — you can hear the wind rustling through the leaves. Climbed all the way to the observatory and the view of Shanghai on a clear day is breathtaking. Pack a picnic and spend the whole morning. Highly recommend!

Perfect half-day trip with our toddler! The paths are stroller-friendly in most areas, and there’s a nice little playground near the entrance. We loved the cable car ride (short but fun) and the temple area was serene. Lots of families and couples taking photos. Clean restrooms and a decent snack stand. Highly recommend for a relaxed outing.

I visited on a misty autumn morning and it felt like walking through a painting. The cool air, the rustling leaves, the smell of damp earth—absolutely magical. The top view of the lake and the old observatory tower gave me chills. One of my favorite spots in Shanghai for a quiet, reflective day. Bring water and good shoes!

Honestly, a bit disappointing for a “national forest park.” The forest part is quite small and overcrowded on weekends. Trash bins were overflowing and I spotted some litter on the trails. The pagoda at the top is cool, but the ticket price feels high for what you get. Maybe better on a weekday, but I expected more nature.

Nice park overall, but a bit overhyped. The stairs are steep in some sections and there’s not much shade on the main path—I got pretty sunburned. The Catholic basilica is beautiful, but the queue to get in took forever. Worth a visit if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t make a special trip just for this.

Absolutely stunning place for a weekend escape! The bamboo forest trail felt like a different world—so peaceful and green. We hiked up to the observatory and the view of the city skyline in the distance was breathtaking. Clean paths, well-marked signs, and plenty of benches to rest. Will definitely come back with my kids next time.

If you're into photography or history, the abandoned military bunkers and the old astronomical observatory are absolute gems. I spent two hours just exploring those areas alone. The vegetation is lush and green, and the air feels noticeably cleaner than downtown. One of my favorite day trips in Shanghai – highly recommend going early to avoid the midday sun.

Took our two kids here and they had a blast running around the open lawn near the entrance. The little pagoda trail was perfect for their short legs. We also spotted a couple of squirrels and some cool insects. The only issue was that the map at the info board was faded and confusing. Nevertheless, a fantastic affordable day out for the whole family!

Honestly a bit underwhelming for a 'national forest park'. The forest part is just a few patches of trees and the whole place felt more like a manicured urban garden. Overcrowded even on a Tuesday, with loud tour groups everywhere. Paid way too much for a bottle of water at the snack stand. Not terrible but definitely not worth traveling across the city for.

A solid escape from Shanghai's hustle. The upper part near the basilica has nice architecture and a quiet vibe. Downside: some sections of the path were slippery after rain, and the toilet near the east gate was pretty dirty. Still worth the metro + bus ride for a half-day trip. Would rate it 7.5/10 overall.

Loved the peaceful hike through the bamboo forest up to the old observatory. The views from the top are stunning, especially on a clear day. The trails are well-marked and not too crowded on a weekday morning. Only wish there were more benches to rest along the way. Definitely coming back with a picnic!

Perfect recharge spot after a stressful work week. I came here alone with just my headphones and a book. Found a quiet bench under a huge camphor tree by the lake and just sat for an hour watching dragonflies. No rush, no crowds (it was a Tuesday afternoon). The sound of birds and wind through the leaves was therapy. Already planning my next visit.

For 12 yuan, you really can’t beat the value. The park is huge with multiple trails — I did the ‘East Peak’ loop and it took me about 2.5 hours of leisurely walking. The air felt noticeably cleaner than downtown Shanghai. The little tea house near the top serves decent oolong tea and has a nice terrace. Would love to come back in autumn when the leaves change.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed. The park itself is pretty enough, but the paths felt overcrowded even on a Saturday morning. There were groups of loud tourists playing music on speakers, which totally killed the peaceful forest vibe I was hoping for. Also, the signage is confusing — I ended up walking in circles for 20 minutes trying to find the Bamboo Corridor. Not worth the 12 yuan entry fee in my opinion.

Great escape from the city buzz. We took our two kids (ages 7 and 10) and they managed the main trail without too much complaining. The pagoda at the top is charming and the view over the reservoir is lovely. Only downside: the restrooms near the entrance were a bit dirty. Otherwise a solid 4-star experience for a family day out.

Absolutely stunning views from the top! The trail through the bamboo forest was serene and well-maintained. I went early on a weekday and had the whole place almost to myself. The cable car is a nice option if you're not up for the climb, but the hike is totally worth it for the sense of accomplishment. Highly recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy at the summit.

Visited on a sunny Saturday – big mistake. Too many tour groups and selfie sticks made the main paths feel like a shopping mall. The natural beauty is definitely there (the old stone steps and giant cedars are impressive), but the overcrowding really spoiled the experience. Manageable if you go early, but I expected better crowd control.

Went on a misty weekday morning and had the place almost to myself. The air was crisp and smelled of pine and damp earth – absolutely magical. The little teahouse near the east gate served a surprisingly good jasmine tea. If you like quiet, moody landscapes, this is your spot. Five stars for the serene atmosphere.

I was expecting more of a ‘forest’ experience, but honestly it felt more like a landscaped park with lots of paved paths and crowds. The vegetation is lovely, but the constant drone of distant traffic killed the vibe for me. Also, the ticket price felt a bit steep for what you get. Decent for a stroll, but I wouldn’t go out of my way again.

Took my two kids here on a weekend. They loved the cable car ride and the little pagoda near the summit. Plenty of benches for rest stops, which was a lifesaver. The only downside was the main restroom near the entrance was a bit dirty, but the staff cleaned it promptly when I flagged them. A solid family day out.

Great escape from the city! The trails are well-maintained and offer a decent challenge for a morning jog. The bamboo forest section was absolutely peaceful, and the view from the top of the hill is worth the sweat. Only minor gripe: the signs at some forks could be clearer. Still, highly recommended for a quick nature fix.