Jing’an Sculpture Park
This pretty, family-friendly outdoor area offers exactly what the name might suggest. The 30,000 square meters of land are peppered with statues and sculptures from more than 61 cities, many of which awe from their sheer size and ingenuity. Children and adults alike will love the larger-than-life bulls that recline in the fields, the huge tubas, and more to be discovered around every corner. The Shanghai Natural History Museum is also located right behind the park, and is worth a gander.
Shanghai Botanical Gardens
Boasting more than 80 hectares of land, this is the largest municipal botanical garden in all of China. Set a little farther outside the city center, here you’ll find a riot of flowers, flowering trees and plants of every persuasion. Not surprisingly, spring is the best time to head over there when the cherry trees are in full bloom, along with the tulips, peach trees, and the expansive rose garden.
Century Park
At 140 hectares, Century Park is officially Shanghai’s largest park and is a hot spot to be when the Shanghai weather turns clement. There are a lot of pretty natural elements to the park, including small lakes (where you can row a boat), plus many hidden fields and glades where you can set up with a picnic, a book, and a group of friends. You’ll also find both Chinese-style and Western-style gardens, where the blooms are particularly lovely in the spring and autumn.
Gongqing National Forest Park
When the weather gets hot, it’s time to head out to the cooling canopy that is the Gongqing National Forest Park. While not the absolutely biggest park in the city, there are enough trees here to make an excursion feel like you’re in the countryside. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, head there early on the weekends and post up next to one of the many grills they have around the facility, so you can enjoy a hot meal in the cool breeze.
Expo Park
Located on the Pudong side of town near the Mercedes Benz Arena, Expo Park is one of the nicest you’ll find within easy access of a metro station. Opened after the Shanghai Expo in 2010, the park incorporates some elements from the past Expo buildings, plus lots of green space and some lotus ponds to soften the landscape. This is also where many of Shanghai’s big music festivals are held, including the famous Shanghai JZ Festival.