Shanghai Botanical Gardens

Shanghai Botanical Gardens is the largest municipal botanical garden in the country. This premier garden of China was opened to the public in 1978. It took about four years to complete the garden. The gardens occupy a total area of about 81 hectares.

The Shanghai Botanical Gardens is divided into four spacious sectors that specialize in magnolias, peonies, azaleas, roses, osmanthus, ferns, bamboo, maples, and conifers. The orchid garden is considered the best in China. The gardens are a tool for education, scientific research, sightseeing and production. The gardens also act in the training of introduced species. A new area known as the 'Plant Evolution Section' has been built inside the complex where where horticultural experiments are conducted. This is a more traditional garden in which medicinal plants are grown and harvested.

In the past, the Shanghai Botanical Gardens have collected and introduced numerous types of ornamental plants. Most of these include rare and almost extinct species. The Botanical gardens in Shanghai has won a number of awards in several international flower shoes of Canada and Holland. It appeals to visitors with its colourful plant displays and natural charm that attracts people.

The Botanical Garden grounds are large and extensive with a number of restaurants, exhibition halls, vendors' stalls, a greenhouse with 3,500 tropical plants from Southeast Asia, and several children's playgrounds.