As midsummer temperatures rise, Shanghai's bamboo groves offer shady retreats from the heat. Here are seven places to escape the heat amid their tranquil greenery.

Guyi Garden

Address: No 218 Huyi Highway, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Guyi Garden is renowned for its bamboo landscapes. The garden features winding paths lined with bamboo, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. A walk north from Meihua Hall leads into a bamboo grove that contains the garden's widest variety of bamboo species, including arrow bamboo, black bamboo, and others, forming a continuous shaded corridor.

Wanzhu Garden

Address: No 105 Nenjiang Road, Yangpu district

Tucked away in Gongqing National Forest Park, Wanzhu Garden is well designed, with bamboo groves, streams, and pavilions that create a peaceful scene. Though small, the garden is free to enter, making it an easy stop for a midday break.

Sheshan National Forest Park

Address: No 9258 Waiqingsong Highway, Songjiang district

Sheshan National Forest Park is among Shanghai's natural woodlands, with the East Sheshan area particularly renowned for its bamboo scenery. Visitors strolling along the stone paths under the bamboo canopy can experience a refreshing breeze and the soothing greenery.

Fangta Park

Address: No 235 East Zhongshan Road, Songjiang district

Fangta Park combines historical relics, tranquil lakes, and elegant bamboo groves. At its southeast corner, the Helou Pavilion sits deep within a bamboo forest, offering a quiet spot for tea and relaxation.

Xinhongqiao Central Garden

Address: No 97 Yili Road, Changning district

This garden in the Gubei area of Changning district is a hidden gem in summer. A stream runs beside a bamboo grove, where the shade and the gentle rustle of leaves create a natural retreat from the urban heat, and the sounds of cicadas and birds enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

Shanghai Botanical Garden

Address: No 1111 Longwu Road, Xuhui district

Home to 76 bamboo species, the Shanghai Botanical Garden is a paradise for bamboo enthusiasts. A walk through the bamboo grove offers a visual and sensory escape from the summer heat.

Fudeli Park

Address: No 379 Dagu Road, Jing'an district

Located in the bustling Jing'an district, Fudeli Park is a quiet retreat surrounded by bamboo. The green shade and rustling leaves offer a calming contrast to the city's summer heat.

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, parks and gardens mentioned above