Ancient Pagodas and Temple Gardens
Walk into Songjiang's layered past by visiting its centuries-old pagodas, each one a distinct silhouette against the Shanghai skyline. The Xilin pagoda, a 46.5-metre structure built in 1440, sits within a working Buddhist temple near the intersection of Zhongshanzhong Lu and Xilin Bei Lu. The temple grounds include a pond where you can feed the fish, and the whole compound—temple, pagoda, and garden—costs nothing to enter (though some days charge ¥6). The pagoda itself cannot be climbed, but its presence anchors the surrounding Buddhist space with quiet authority.
Head east along Zhongshan Lu for about thirty minutes to reach the Fangta pagoda, a square pagoda set within a newly renovated garden in Songjiang's southeast. The park shelters some 600-year-old trees and offers enough space to breathe away from the city's crowded streets. The garden costs ¥12, and there is an extra charge to enter the pagoda itself. Other notable pagodas in the district include the Li Pagoda and the Huzhu Pagoda (also called the Leaning Pagoda), each worth discovering at your own pace.
Classical Chinese Gardens and Sacred Spaces
Zuibaichi Park—one of Shanghai's five classical gardens and a nationally ranked scenic spot—sits at the heart of Songjiang's cultivated landscape. Accessed near Zuibaichi Park metro station, the park operates from 8AM to 5PM and charges ¥12. Its appeal shifts with the seasons: peonies bloom in spring, lotus flowers float in summer, chrysanthemums appear in autumn, and plum blossoms arrive in winter. Beyond the seasonal flowers stand pavilions, terraces, and winding paths, including the loneliness maze. The garden preserves Yuan Dynasty treasures such as Zhao Mengfu's handwriting, displayed in spaces like the Reading Hall and the Boat-like Hut. A modern museum within the park focuses on paintings.
The Songjiang Mosque, built in 1341 during the Yuan dynasty and still active, merges Chinese architectural traditions with Arabic design. Located at No. 75, Gangbeng Alley, the mosque underwent major restoration in 1985 and remains the oldest Islamic building in Shanghai. Today it serves around 300 worshippers. Entry costs ¥6. To reach it, walk north from Zuibaichi Park Station on the Shanghai Metro.
Museums and Archaeology
The Cheng Shifa Art Museum offers insight into Songjiang's contemporary cultural life, while the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park provides a deeper dig into the district's ancient history. Located at Lane 3260, Guangfulin Road, the park centres on an archaeological site that has yielded significant artifacts. It houses several museums and temples with staggered opening hours (9AM–5PM generally, with individual museum sections closing at 4:30PM). Tickets are structured by exhibit: ¥30 for the archaeological museum, ¥5 for the ancient pottery museum, ¥5 for the art museum, and ¥30 for the Guangfulin Culture Exhibition Hall. An all-in-one ticket costs ¥70. Reach the park by taking the Metro to Songjiang University Town Station on Line 9, then catching bus 15, 24, or 98 towards the East China University of Political Science and Law.
Village Walks and Hill Views
Thames Town offers an unexpected detour: a full-scale English village transplanted to suburban Shanghai, complete with cobbled lanes, pubs, and a commanding church. The development remains open from 9AM to 10PM and has become popular with newly-weds staging photographs, though its quiet streets and closed storefronts create an oddly cinematic, film-set atmosphere. Reach it from Songjiang Xincheng station on Metro Line 9 by taking bus 12 or 16 east.
Sheshan, accessed near Sheshan metro station, consists of two hills laced with wide paths and staircases. At the summit of the larger hill stands a Catholic basilica built in 1935, alongside an observatory. The hills draw crowds, particularly on weekends, but the views from above reward the ascent.
Relaxation and Recreation
For a different pace, visit Yuncaitang Spa, a large Japanese-style complex located at 1501 Meijiabang Road (a 400-metre walk from Songjiang University Town metro station). The ¥39 entrance fee grants access to wet and dry saunas, jacuzzis, multiple water pools, a children's play room, heated pebble beds, and various relaxation rooms. Bathing areas are separated by gender. Paid services such as massage, restaurant meals, and mahjong are available separately. The complex opens from 10:30AM to 11:30PM, and overnight stays are possible for an additional ¥30 with your passport (4-bed rooms available)—note that signage is in Chinese and Japanese only.
Shanghai Happy Valley, a theme park at 888 Linhu Rd, offers another option for those seeking structured entertainment, with entry at ¥200.
Songjiang's mix of ancient temples, classical gardens, unexpected English architecture, and relaxation facilities makes it a distinct counterpoint to central Shanghai. Start by choosing whether you want to spend a morning among pagodas or an afternoon in a centuries-old garden, then let one experience lead to the next.