Cultural tips

Did you know that the lotus is one of the earliest angiosperms? In 1973, lotus pollen fossils over 7,000 years old were unearthed in Yuyao, Zhejiang province.

The lotus flower holds a special place in Chinese culture, representing purity, enlightenment, beauty and resilience. It has been inspiring admiration from generations of poets and scholars, including Li Bai, Li Qingzhao, and Yang Wanli.

June to July is considered the best time to view these elegant flowers, which remain in bloom for up to two months.

Water lilies are widely distributed and common throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They bloom from June to August, with each flower lasting three to five days. Although similar in appearance, lotus and water lilies are easily distinguishable: the lotus is an emergent plant with large flowers that rise above the water and round leaves, whereas the water lily is a floating plant with smaller flowers and leaves featuring a V-shaped notch.

Experience lotus and water lily extravaganza

The 12th Shanghai Lotus and Water Lily Exhibition will commence on July 7, offering a vibrant summer celebration that blends culture and commerce. The exhibition features one main venue and four sub-venues, covering five districts: Jing'an, Yangpu, Pudong, Jiading, and Songjiang.

Main venue: Guyi Garden

The main venue will display over 500 varieties of lotus flowers in more than 2,000 pots, with 10 varieties making their Shanghai debut. The first internationally registered lotus variety from Guyi Garden, "Yi Lian You Meng", known for its dynamic color changes during the initial days of blooming, will also be introduced. Additionally, around 150 water lily varieties in approximately 320 pots will be on display, with eight making their domestic debut.

The exhibition covers a total area of 6,100 square meters, with 5,000 square meters dedicated to pond-grown plants and about 600 square meters for the large lawn exhibition area.

The garden will also offer courses on traditional crafts such as dough figurine making and lotus leaf dyeing, alongside exhibitions of flower-themed calligraphy, painting, and seal carving.

Visitors with a full-price ticket to the main venue can enjoy discounts at merchants on Nanxiang Old Street in Jiading district and 889 Plaza in Jing'an district.

Sub-venues

• Huangxing Park: Showcasing over 50 varieties of lotus and water lilies in a 4,000-square-meter pond, creating a stunning spectacle during peak bloom. Visitors can also explore night markets, light shows, and enjoy creative food.
• Zuibaichi Park: Featuring over 80 varieties with 600 pots of lotus and water lilies in a 1,338-square-meter pond.
• Zhabei Park: Displaying over 40 varieties of lotus and water lilies. A lotus-themed boat can be seen on Duiming Lake.
• Shanghai Expo Culture Park, Shenyuan Garden: Boasting over 4,000 square meters of pond-grown lotus, with 800 square meters located in Shenyuan Garden. The garden will display 40 varieties, including the China Red series.

If you go

• Guyi Garden: No 218 Huyi Highway, Jiading district
• Huangxing Park: No 369, East Guoshun Road, Yangpu district
• Zuibaichi Park: No 64, South Renmin Road, Songjiang district
• Zhabei Park: No 1555 Gonghexin Road, Jing'an district
• Shanghai Expo Culture Park: No 100 Jikun Road, Pudong New Area

Tickets: 12 yuan ($1.67) for Guyi Garden, 12 yuan for Zuibaichi Park, and 30 yuan for Shenyuan Garden; Zhabei Park and Huangxing Park are free.

Note: Purchase on-site, no reservation needed.

Sources: WeChat account of Guyi Garden, Shanghai Parks and Greenery Association