Fangta Garden, situated in Shanghai's Songjiang district, was established in 1978 and spans an area of 12.13 hectares.

A view of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) Square Pagoda in Fangta Garden, one of the best-preserved ancient pagodas in China. [Photo/songjiang.gov.cn]

This 4A-rated tourist attraction was once the bustling center of the ancient Huating area during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. It has now been transformed into a garden park primarily dedicated to the exhibition of ancient relics and historical artifacts.

The park houses eight national, municipal and district-level cultural relics, with the garden's focal point being the Song Dynasty Square Pagoda, a national cultural relic, encircled by clusters of ancient buildings.

In 1999, Fangta Garden was honored with a garden design award at the Outstanding Design Exhibition of the World Congress of Architects.

The He Lou Xuan teahouse, located in the southeast corner of Fangta Garden and nestled within a bamboo forest, has received numerous domestic and international awards since its completion.

Its architectural shape is inspired by the four-slope roof of a farmhouse found in the suburbs of Shanghai, featuring a curved ridge, bamboo beams, a large, thatched roof and brick floors.

A view of the He Lou Xuan teahouse in lush greenery. [Photo/WeChat account: sh_songjiang]

Surrounded by water on all sides, curved paddocks, bamboo chairs and rattan tables, the design exudes a simple and natural ambiance, with the surrounding greenery blending into a cohesive, distinctive style.

The historical ambiance of Fangta Garden not only draws numerous tourists seeking to immerse themselves in history but it has also served as a filming location for over 10 movies and TV dramas, including the 2001 TV series Romance in the Rain.

Sources: "sh_songjiang" WeChat account, songjiang.gov.cn, m.xinhuanet.com