Plan your Shanghai tour in autumn? If you are an enthusiastic autumn leaf peeper, you won’t be disappointed by the seemingly concrete dominated metropolitan city of Shanghai. But the autumn leaf peeping time is relatively short in Shanghai. The best time to see maple and ginkgo autumn leaves start late November through mid-December.
If you happen to visit Shanghai around late November and mid December, you may recharge yourself by going to some places aflame with red and yellow leaves. Shanghai’s autumn color can be found on the streets, in the parks and in the suburbs. Now we are going to reveal the top places to view the fall foliage in and around Shanghai.
1. Guqi Garden (Guqiyuan Garden) 古猗园
Guqi Garden is located in Nanxiang Ancient Town, about 22 km to the northwest of Shanghai People’s Square. It is one of the most mesmerizing classical gardens in Shanghai. It can be easily reached by taking subway line 11, getting off at the station of Nanxiang (exit from Exit 2).
Quqi Garden is an Ming-era garden originally built by an officer in the Ming dynasty. It has been rebuilt and expanded for a number of times. Now it features a varied landscape of gardens, tea houses and corridors all surrounding a central stretch of lily pad-laden water. There are over two dozens of ginkgo and maple trees which turn yellow in late November and Mid-December, very photogenic with much photo opportunities.
Add: Nanxiang Ancient Town (南翔古镇), Jiading District, Shanghai
Transport: Taking subway line 11, getting off at the station of Nanxiang (exit from Exit 2).
Entrance Fee: RMB 12
2. Shanghai Botanical Garden 上海植物园
With the most species of plants in Shanghai, Shanghai Botanical Garden is definitely an idea place to comfort your eyes with the dazzling yellow and red colors in autumn. The large botanical garden covers 81 hectares, divided into spacious sectors specializing in magnolias, peonies, maples, azaleas, roses, Osmanthus, ferns, bamboo, conifers and more.
With the coming of late November, a cluster of trees change their colors such as ginkgo, Chinese tallow trees, trident maple, callery pear, and spindle trees. Some trees change their colors much late, around the late December like gum trees, Chinese pistache, pond cypress and metasequoia.
Add: No.1111, Longwu Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 上海市 徐汇区龙吴路1111号
Transport: Take subway 3 and get off at the station of Shilong Road ( 石龙路), near the Gate 4 of the Botanical Garden.
Entrance Fee: RMB 15
3. Shanghai Gongqing National Forest Park 上海共青国家森林公园
Gongqing Forest Park is located Yangpu District, in the northeast of Shanghai’s city center, about 18 km to the northeast of Shanghai People’s Square. You may take subway line 8 and get off at the station of Shiguang Road, then walk for 1 km to reach the park.
As a forest park, Gongqing Forest Park comprises over 200 species of trees, totalling over 300,000. The park is divided into two parts – north part featuring forest landscape while south part boasting small bridges and winding rivers, displaying the scenery of Southern China.
In the northeast of the park, there is an island with an area of 25,000 square meters. On the island are planted with maple, Ginkgo, Chinese tallow trees, trident maple, callery pear, and spindle trees and more. When autumns, the island is afire with colorful autumn leaves.
Add: No.2000, Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 上海军工路2000号
Transport: Take subway line 8 and get off at the station of Shiguang Road, then walk for 1 km to reach the park.
Entrance Fee: RMB 15
4. Shanghai Binjiang Forest Park 上海滨江森林公园
Shanghai Binjiang Forest Park is located in Gaoqiao town, the northern tip of Pudong District, the largest suburb forest park nearest to Shanghai downtown, about 23 km to the northeast of Shanghai People’s Square. . There are over 200,000 plants of arbors and bushes.
The park is divided into several area for sightseeing and visit – Rhododendron Garden, Magnolia Garden, wetland plant area, fruit area, azalea area, Yangtze River Viewing area and more. Roads are lined with spruce trees. The No.1 Wind and Rain Pavilion is ringed with maple trees. In the azalea garden, all kind of colors produce a magnificent palette when fall is in.
Visiting Time: suggested 4 Hours
Entrance Fee: RMB 20
Location: Gaoqiao town, the northern tip of Pudong District 上海市浦东新区高桥镇
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 16:30
Tel: 021-58644791
How to Get There
Take bus Waigaoqiao No.01 and get off at Binjiang Park 外高桥1路 到【滨江公园】站下
5. Ginkgo Trees at Shanghai Concert Hall 上海音乐厅银杏林
Even in the city center of Shanghai, you can find a good place to see autumn leaves. One street, a row of trees can be a mini-landscape of autumn.
By the side of Shanghai Concert Hall, there are two rows of ginkgo trees that bounce off spectacular yellow colors when autumn comes. They look magnificent with a backdrop of the classical building of Shanghai Concert Hall, oft lauded as a perfect spot for wedding photos.
Add: No. 523, Yan’an East Road, Shanghai 延安东路523号
Transport: Take Bus 451,782,783 and get off at Xizang South Road and Ninghai East Road 西藏南路宁海东路站下
Entrance Fee: Free
6. Ginkgo Trees along Dagu Road 大沽路银杏树
are lined with ginkgo trees along the sideways and bike lanes. When fall comes in, the sideways and the narrow bike lanes are covered with yellow leaves on the ground against the high office buildings, an intriguing atmosphere.
In fact, strolling along Dagu Road, Shimen Road and Weihai Road, people will find myriad ginkgo trees.
Location: Dagu Road and Shimen Road, Shanghai 上海大沽路
How to Get There
Walk from People’s Square to Dagu Road ( 2 km)
7. Ginkgo Trees at Siping Road 四平路银杏树
Starting from the Wujiao Square, two rows of ginkgo trees flank Siping Road, posting a gorgeous fall foliage when autumn comes, an idea place for an autumn stroll.
Location: Siping Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 上海四平路
How to Get There
Take subway line 8 from the station of People’s square and get off at the station of Siping.
8. Old Ginkgo Trees at Jiading 嘉定银杏古树
Jiading is a district of Shanghai, about 37 km to the northwest of Shanghai People’s Square. In Jiading District, there is a park named “Ginkgo Park”. The Ginkgo Park is a Jiangnan style landscaping that mainly surrounds the 10 old ginkgo trees.
The 10 old ginkgo trees are clustered in a small forest. The average age of the ginkgo trees are around 200 years with a height from 19.3 m to 20.4 m. The ginkgo trees covers an area of 600 square meters. The late autumn finds the Ginkgo Park a wonderland of yellow colors, radiating out marvelous autumn view.
9.Dianshan Lake 淀山湖
Dianshan is a freshwater lake west of Zhujiajiao, Qingpu, in the Shanghai, about 60 km to the west of Shanghai People’s Square. Dianshan Lake covers an area of 63 square km, 2 meters deep, connecting Huang Pu River and Wusong River, rich in freshwater husbandry.
Dianshan Lake is the largest wetland in Shanghai, a mesmerizing tourist destination. Poplar trees ring the banks of Dianshan Lake and maple trees flank the main roads passing through Dianshan Lake, presenting a wonderful picture of autumn landscape.
Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:
Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai
Any questions, just drop a line.
Hi.someone told the picture Ginkgo trees along Dagu Road its not in Shanghai but in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Or the places very similar? i`m very confuse because i post about shangai autumn with that picture but someone argue it.could u make it clear?
Hi Zul Ain,
We have changed the picture to avoid any controversial issue. You are kindly advised not to use that picture.
I have just returned from a visit to Shanghai (mid- October 2017). I would love to know the name of the Shanghai City street trees which had yellow blossums with patches of salmony pink clusters of soft seed pods.
Could you help please? I loved my visit.
Dear Judy Tayor,
Not quite sure. Osmanthus? Maybe, or maybe not. Sorry. Glad that you’ve enjoyed your trip!