Rain-kissed parks offer summer escapes in Shanghai's Putuo district

A 4.6-kilometer greenway along the Xinchapu River in Putuo district links three 24-hour parks — Xinyang Park, Qidonglin Park and Chunguang Park — into a continuous chain of urban oases, offering a refreshing retreat after summer rains.

At the northern end of the greenway, Xinyang Park is the district's largest circular park, covering 32 hectares. It features interconnected waterways that have expanded from 3.6 to 4.1 hectares, a forest camping area, and a "seed research lab" children's zone.

A rain-soaked cedar boardwalk at Qidonglin Park offers visitors a peaceful, reflective experience. [Photo/Shanghai Putuo Media Center]

About 500 meters to the south, Qidonglin Park is named after the first tree planted in 1995 for Shanghai's outer ring green belt project. The 14-hectare park preserves the original commemorative stone and features include a lakeside cedar boardwalk, a stone-strewn "nine-bend flower stream", and a pine-cone-themed children's playground.

A view of Chunguang Park's peach blossom island, offering a serene escape from urban bustle. [Photo/Shanghai Putuo Media Center]

The 21-hectare Chunguang Park, inspired by the ancient Chinese prose "Peach Blossom Spring", is home to more than 1,600 peach trees. An island connected by footbridges and surrounded by peach blossoms evokes the idyllic "Peach Blossom Island" from classic martial arts fiction. Visitors can stroll along a 260-meter elevated walkway for panoramic views or walk across a glass-bottomed water walkway to observe fish swimming below.