As late June arrives, lotus flowers begin to bloom across Shanghai's parks and waterways, bringing tranquility and seasonal charm to the city.

From classical gardens to urban wetlands, pink and white blossoms rise above lush green leaves, creating some of the most picturesque summer scenes.

Gucun Park

Gucun Park (顾村公园) features more than 20 hectares of lotus-covered water, with 28 varieties blooming in succession through September. Pink blossoms rise above an expanse of green leaves, creating one of the park's signature summer views. Visitors can also take a boat through the lotus ponds.

Walking route: Gate 1 → Lotus Pavilion → Wangyue Pavilion → Yuwei PavilionBoat route: Gate 1 → Dock 2 → Lotus Pond → Dock 1 → Wangyue Pavilion → Yuwei Pavilion

If you go

Address: No 4788 Hutai Road, Baoshan district

Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm; last entry at 4:30 pm

Admission: 20 yuan ($2.93) per person

Expo Culture Park

For those seeking a more centrally located destination, Expo Culture Park (上海世博文化公园) offers a display of lotus flowers surrounded by urban greenery. White and pink blossoms spread across the water, creating a vivid summer scene. Late afternoon is an ideal time to visit, when the setting sun casts a warm golden glow across the lotus leaves.

Starting July 3, Shenyuan Garden will offer summer evening visits, allowing visitors to admire the lotus blooms by day and explore the classical garden after dark.

If you go

Address: No 100 Jikun Road, Pudong New Area

Opening hours: The main park is open 24 hours

Admission: Entry to the main park is free; admission to Shenyuan Garden is 30 yuan per person

Langxia Country Park

Langxia Country Park (廊下郊野公园 ) offers a relaxed rural setting, with expansive lotus ponds lying beside traditional Jiangnan-style houses. White walls, green trees, and pink lotus flowers come together to form a scene reminiscent of a traditional Chinese ink painting. Visitors can also explore nearby rural attractions and enjoy a slower pace of life.

If you go

Address: No 9133 Caolang Highway, Jinshan district

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 5 pm; last entry at 4:30 pm

Admission: Free

Guyi Garden

Every summer, Guyi Garden (古猗园) becomes a popular destination for lotus enthusiasts. Its bridges, pavilions, carved windows, and corridors form classic Jiangnan garden scenes against a backdrop of blooming lotus flowers.

The garden is the main venue for the 13th Shanghai Lotus and Water Lily Exhibition, which opens on June 28. It features more than 500 lotus varieties and over 110 water lily varieties, as well as themed landscapes, cultural activities, and lotus-inspired food.

 

If you go

Address: No 218 Huyi Highway, Jiading district

Opening hours: North Gate from 5:30 am to 7:30 pm; South Gate from 7 am to 6:30 pm (extended to 8:30 pm on weekends)

Admission: 12 yuan per person

Panlong Xintiandi

Panlong Xintiandi (蟠龙新天地) offers a distinctive lotus-viewing experience, with flower-adorned boats moored along the waterways and bamboo installations complementing the area's traditional Jiangnan architecture.

Near the Yuz Museum, a waterside market sells freshly cut lotus flowers and lotus-themed products, including handmade sachets, lotus teas, and plant-dyed fabric bags. The market runs through Sept 13 and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

If you go

Address: No 123 Alley 8, Panding Road, Xujing town, Qingpu district

Opening hours: 11 am to 10 pm

Admission: Free. Boat rides and market purchases are charged separately.

Maison Florale

Lotus flowers are not confined to outdoor ponds; they also bloom indoors. At (Maison Florale静安花里), Summer Solstice Gleam is a floral art exhibition inspired by lotus flowers, featuring award-winning varieties in international aquatic plant competitions. 

The interplay of shadows, light, and space art recreates the essence of a lotus pond. The venue's century-old red-brick building provides a perfect backdrop for photos, blending historic architecture with natural elements for a unique summer vibe. 

If you go

Address: Room 101, No 100 Dongxinmin Road, Jing'an district

Exhibition period: Through June 28, from 10 am to 6 pm

Admission: 39 yuan per person. Reservations available through the "Ms Black Boutique" WeChat mini program.

Mianqing Park

Less crowded than many popular viewing spots, Mianqing Park (沔青公园) offers layers of pink, red, and white lotus flowers in a tranquil wetland setting.

The multi-petaled white lotus is a particular highlight, with layers of pristine white petals. Jiangnan-style pavilions stand among the ponds, while bald cypress trees and wetland landscapes stretch into the distance. Visitors may also spot waterbirds gliding gracefully across the lake.

If you go

Address: No 2740 Chuanzhou Highway, Pudong New Area

Opening hours: 24 hours

Admission: Free

 More lotus-viewing spots across Shanghai 

(Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, flower viewing spots mentioned above)