Crape myrtles are currently in full bloom across Shanghai, painting parks with vibrant purple, pink, and white blooms. Here are some top locations to enjoy this stunning display.

Guyi Garden

Guyi Garden offers both tall crape myrtle trees and dwarf varieties, with blooms lasting through September. Clusters of purple, red, and white flowers weigh down the branches, while a gentle breeze sends delicate petals fluttering.

The garden features a dedicated crape myrtle grove, with additional trees scattered throughout the bonsai garden and the southeast area of the Shiyun Pavilion. Flowers weave among pavilions, rockeries, and covered walkways, with traditional upturned eaves framing the colorful blossoms — every step offers a view steeped in classical charm.

Address: No 218 Huyi Highway, Jiading district

Admission: 12 yuan ($1.78)

Xinzhuang Park

Xinzhuang Park is at its most vibrant now, with crape myrtles bursting into full color. Overhead, blossoms spread in shades of pinkish-purple and magenta, and the park offers a quiet retreat from the bustle beyond its gates.

Address: No 421 Xinbang Road, Minhang district

Admission: Free

Zuibaichi Park

In early autumn, Zuibaichi Park takes on a poetic quality. Shade trees frame the landscape, and crape myrtles bloom amid the white walls and dark tiles of the classical garden. Clusters of purple flowers dangle from the branches, casting a soft glow over this classical garden.

Walking along the covered corridors or pausing beneath the blossoms, visitors can watch the flowers spill over eaves and lattice windows, glimpsing the region's enduring cultural heritage.

Address: No 64 South Renmin Road, Songjiang district

Admission: 12 yuan

Minhang Park

Minhang Park is enveloped in a soft purple haze as crape myrtles come into vibrant bloom. Along the trails, bursts of pinkish-purple, magenta, and pale white flowers adorn the branches, creating a striking contrast with the park's shaded paths and pavilions.

Address: No 249 Humin Road, Minhang district

Admission: Free

Gucun Park

Gucun Park offers one of the season's most spectacular crape myrtle displays. Every branch is draped in layers of pink, purple, and white, catching the sunlight beautifully. Strolling through the blossoms, visitors can soak up the relaxed atmosphere.

An old saying holds that planting crape myrtles by the doorstep brings prosperity and good fortune — a walk through this grove might bring a touch of that luck.

Address: No 4788 Hutai Road, Baoshan district

Admission: 20 yuan

Ziyunlang Park

Ziyunlang Park is a top pick for those looking to immerse themselves in a sea of crape myrtles. The park is filled with blossoms in a wide spectrum of shades, from deep purples to soft pinks and whites. As the day progresses, the changing light plays across the petals, offering a new scene at every turn. A popular destination for photographers, it's an ideal spot to soak up the beauty of early autumn.

Address: Near No 601 Huancheng Road, Jiading district

Admission: Free

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