Fuxing Park (复兴公园), located in the heart of Shanghai, is a picturesque urban oasis that seamlessly blends historical charm with modern elegance. Spanning an area of 10 hectares, this iconic park serves as a popular recreational spot for locals and tourists alike.
Originally known as the French Park, Fuxing Park was established in 1909 during the French Concession period. It embodies a fusion of Western and Chinese architectural styles, featuring classical pavilions, lush gardens, and tranquil ponds. The park’s centerpiece is a grand statue of Karl Marx and Engles, a symbol of the park’s historical significance.
Strolling through Fuxing Park, visitors are greeted by serene walkways shaded by ancient trees and vibrant flowerbeds. People of all ages gather here to engage in various activities, from tai chi and yoga sessions to traditional Chinese musical performances. The park also houses a charming outdoor teahouse, where visitors can savor aromatic tea while enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
Fuxing Park’s allure is heightened during cherry blossom season, when the park transforms into a mesmerizing sea of delicate pink blossoms. This time of year attracts crowds of nature enthusiasts and photographers seeking to capture the beauty of the blossoms in full bloom.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Fuxing Park
- Vlog about Fuxing Park
- History of Fuxing Park
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Fuxing Park
- Other Parks in Shanghai
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 5.00 – 21.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-021-53861069 0086-021-53860187 |
Location and Transportation
Fuxing Park is located in the heart of Shanghai, China. The precise address is No. 105, Fuxing West Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai.
Situated in the former French Concession area, the park is easily accessible and well-known among both locals and tourists. It enjoys a central location in the bustling city, surrounded by other popular attractions, shopping areas, and residential neighborhoods. To get there, you can choose the following way:
Bus: Take bus 36, 95, 780, 781, 786, 869, 932, 933, 974, or 986, and get off at Chongqing South Road Fuxing Middle Road Stop (重庆南路复兴中路站), and you will be standing at the east gate of the park.
Metro: The nearest metro station to Fuxing Park is Yidahuizhi Xintiandi (一大会址·新天地) on line 10 and line 13. After getting out of the station from Exit 6, you need to walk about 600 meters to the west to reach the south gate of the park.
Highlights of Fuxing Park
Statue Square
Located on a small lawn north of the felt flower bed, the Marx and Engels Statue Square occupies the southern half of a formerly rectangular grass area. The statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were designed by Zhang Yonghao of the Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Studio and crafted by the Beijing Architectural Art Sculpture Factory. The construction and landscaping, undertaken by the Shanghai Landscape Engineering Company and Fuxing Park, cost nearly 500,000 yuan. The project was inaugurated on May 5, 1983, the 165th anniversary of Marx’s birth, and the statues were unveiled on August 5, 1985, the 90th anniversary of Engels’ death. The statues, made from granite, stand 6.4 meters tall, 3 meters wide, and weigh over 70 tons, consisting of three large granite blocks. The base platform measures 855 square meters, and the surrounding pathways cover 363 square meters, all constructed from granite. The area around the statues is adorned with tall, lush cypress trees, vibrant flower beds, and well-maintained lawns.
Ancient Trees
Fuxing Park is renowned for its collection of ancient trees, particularly its impressive number of plane trees (Platanus orientalis), also known as French sycamores. The park boasts over 1,700 plane trees, each more than 50 years old, making it the most extensive collection in the city. Among these, a notable tree near the south gate stands out, often referred to as the “second oldest in Shanghai.” This tree’s expansive canopy is the result of careful pruning, which has allowed it to develop a robust framework, surpassing the size of the “oldest” tree in Zhongshan Park, though the latter is taller due to its natural growth from a seedling. Additionally, Fuxing Park features a few other significant trees, such as an aging European horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) that still blooms annually, and a rare yellow spindle (Euonymus japonicus) shrub at the south gate. Other noteworthy trees include oak, elm, magnolia, and sophora species, which are becoming increasingly rare in Shanghai.
Lotus Pond
Located in the southwest part of the park, near the artificial hill and exhibition greenhouse, the Lotus Pond covers approximately 2,000 square meters and is filled with lotus flowers. The pond is surrounded by a 221-square-meter concrete structure that includes a pavilion and a gallery. To the northeast of the pond, a small curved dike separates it from a smaller pond, shaded by a tall, slanted plane tree, creating a picturesque scene. Originally, a small stream meandered along the pond’s edge, featuring a few scattered water lilies. The stream ended at a small hill with a pavilion on top, where a man-made spring flowed into the creek. However, in 1992, the stream was filled in and replaced with an “Exciting Rapids” surfing area.
Greenhouse Exhibition Area
The Greenhouse Exhibition Area is situated to the north of the Lotus Pond and originally served as the park’s greenhouse production zone, covering 2,411 square meters. In 1975, the Shanghai Municipal Garden Management Office invested 1.15 million yuan to transform the old brick-and-wood greenhouses into a steel-structured exhibition greenhouse, spanning 269 square meters. The area also includes additional greenhouses and shade structures for production. After the renovation, the space hosted numerous floral exhibitions. In 1992, the Zhejiang Yaolin Tiangong Garden donated over 300 pieces of unique stones, and both parties invested approximately 5.3 million yuan to convert the area into the “Heavenly Garden,” featuring ten themed landscapes: “Heavenly Paths,” “Fairy Garden,” “Heavenly River Wonders,” “Journey to the West,” “Celestial Marketplace,” “Heavenly Animals,” “Buddhist Light,” “Poetic Realm,” “Famous Mountains and Waters,” and “Tianshan Elegance.” This area is now used for long-term exhibitions.
Felt Flower Bed
The Felt Flower Bed is located to the north of the Great Lawn, positioned between the two main east-west roads of the park. Covering an area of 2,742 square meters, this flower bed features a rectangular layout and is designed in the French sunken garden style. It is set lower than its surroundings, enhancing its distinct appearance.
The flower bed is divided into six patterned flower sections by pathways. At the center of the sunken garden, there is a 154-square-meter area with a fountain and a stainless steel sculpture of children playing in the water. Surrounding the fountain is a circular flower bed enclosed by a chain-link fence.
The design of the Felt Flower Bed includes a lush green base with seasonal changes in flower varieties throughout the year. Plants such as red and green grasses, pansies, marigolds, chili peppers, zinnias, and sunflowers create vibrant patterns and colorful displays. Viewed from a distance, these flower arrangements resemble a beautiful tapestry or carpet, giving the garden its name. The park’s main attraction, the Felt Flower Bed, offers an ever-changing visual feast.
Vlog about Fuxing Park
History of Fuxing Park
Origins and Early Development
In the 1880s, the area now known as Fuxing Park was fertile farmland located near Yan Dang Road, Chongqing South Road, Fuxing Middle Road, and Sinan Road. The area was home to a small village called Gujiazhai. A local family with the surname Gu owned over ten acres of land and built a private garden, known as the “Gujiazhai Garden,” which laid the groundwork for what would become Fuxing Park.
French Concession and Expansion
In October 1844, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Huangpu with France, opening Shanghai and four other cities as trading ports and allowing French citizens to reside and engage in trade activities. By 1849, the French Concession was formally established, marking a significant expansion of the area under French control. The boundaries were defined, with the concession stretching from the city river in the south to Yangjingbang, and from the Guandi Temple to the Canton-Chaozhou Guild Hall.
By 1862, the French Concession had its administrative board, which was responsible for managing the area’s affairs. Over the years, the concession expanded, and in 1899, the French consul, together with the governor of Jiangsu, agreed on new boundaries for the concession. This included extending north to the present-day Yan’an East Road and west to the former Gujiazhai area, with the south reaching Dinggong Bridge and the east to the city river.
Purchase and Development
During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the French Public Works Bureau purchased the Gujiazhai Garden and surrounding land, totaling 152 acres (101,300 square meters) for 76,000 taels of silver. Out of this, 112 acres (74,700 square meters) were leased to the French military for barracks, known as the Gujiazhai Barracks. As the French troops gradually withdrew by 1906, parts of the land were repurposed for tennis courts and parking lots by various clubs.
Transformation into a Public Park
On July 1, 1908, the Public Works Bureau decided to transform the Gujiazhai Garden into a public park. French landscape architect Papot was hired to design the park, incorporating French garden aesthetics. The park, officially named Gujiazhai Park, opened to the public on July 14, 1909, coinciding with French National Day. The park, often referred to as the French Park, was managed by French horticulturists and had a European-style layout featuring symmetrical, grid-like designs with flowers, trees, pavilions, and ponds.
Expansion and Modernization
In 1917, the Public Works Bureau hired French engineer Jousseaume to oversee significant expansion and renovation of the park. The redevelopment began in 1918 and continued until 1926, incorporating modifications and adjustments throughout the process. During this time, Chinese landscape designer Yu Xiqi also contributed to the design work, leaving behind preserved blueprints.
The park’s early design was heavily influenced by French aesthetics, characterized by its orderly, symmetrical layout and European-style features. By June 1929, the French Concession began selling annual tickets for $1 each, providing substantial revenue for the park.
In July 1938, the park’s ticket revenue reached $78,864, which was 303% of the park’s budget. During the early years of the Second Sino-Japanese War, ticket prices increased significantly, reflecting the park’s economic adjustments during wartime.
Wartime Changes and Post-War Restoration
In 1943, the pro-Japanese Wang Jingwei regime renamed the park as Daxing Park. After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the park was renamed Fuxing Park on January 1, 1946, symbolizing the revival of the nation. At this time, the park covered 119 acres and was opened to the public.
Post-liberation, the government expanded and renovated various recreational facilities within the park, increasing its total area to 138 acres. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the park was briefly renamed Hongwei Park but was soon restored to its original name.
21st Century Developments
Entering the 21st century, Fuxing Park underwent substantial renovations to enhance its facilities and management. In 2002, a major renovation plan was implemented, preserving the park’s French-style features while updating its infrastructure. The plan included replacing cement paths with granite, creating floral landscapes, constructing eco-friendly restrooms, and modernizing drainage systems. The park also removed unauthorized constructions, restored green spaces, and improved tree planting along Fuxing Middle Road.
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Timing: Fuxing Park is open from early morning until late evening. To avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience, consider visiting during weekdays or early mornings. Additionally, check the park’s schedule for any special events or performances that might interest you.
Engage with Locals: Fuxing Park attracts many locals who visit for various activities. Feel free to engage in friendly conversations, observe traditional practices like tai chi or calligraphy, and appreciate the vibrant energy and cultural exchanges happening around you.
Stay Hydrated and Snack: Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your visit. If you need a quick snack or refreshment, nearby vendors and food stalls offer a variety of options to satisfy your cravings.
