Bajie, the silly pig character in the Journey to the West legend, has missed Gaolaozhuang ever since he left the demesne. Although it is impossible to visit the fictional location created in the book, visitors now have a chance to visit Gaojiazhuang Ecological Park in Chongming district, Shanghai, which was designed with Bajie's homeland in mind.

Upon entering the ecological park, visitors will find themselves in a square with a statue of Bajie carrying his fiancée. Behind the sculpture lies the open-air stage for the visitors to enjoy wonderful performances during festivals.

The sculpture depicts Bajie and his fiancée. [Photo/WeChat account: lexiangchongming]

To view the sixty-hectare-large park in its entirety, visitors can rent bicycles or take an electric tour car. Riding through the park, the fresh air and the idyllic scenery will immediately drive away your gloomy mood and ease your mind.

If you are looking for good luck, you can follow the Chinese tradition of ringing the lucky bell with a log. Right next to the golden bell, visitors can watch peacocks walking amid the bamboo, composing an elegant picture.

Ring the lucky bell to get good luck. [Photo/WeChat account: lexiangchongming]

Can't wait to visit the Great Wall? If so, you can start with a relaxing walk on the mini version in Gaojiazhuang Ecological Park. Weaving through dense forests and along the edges of serene lakes, this "Great Wall" allows visitors to relax as they take in the melodies of nature.

The "Great Wall" in the park. [Photo/WeChat account: lexiangchongming]

At Fisherman's Wharf, visitors have a panoramic view of Gaohu Lake, around which the entire park is built. Thanks to successful environmental protection efforts, the lake is home to various animals, and visitors can watch flocks of birds rippling on the surface of the crystal water while enjoying delicious food from eateries along the wharf. If you visit the park in summer, you can also appreciate the lotus flowers that blossom all throughout the lake.

A lotus flower that is about to blossom. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

Address: No 999 Gangdong Highway, Chongming district

Open: 8 am-5 pm

Regular price for one adult ticket: 30 yuan ($4.14)

Holiday price for one adult ticket: 60 yuan

Children (from 1.1 to 1.3 meters) ticket: 20 yuan

Children under 1.1 m and elderly people over 70 years old are allowed to enter the park free of charge.

Source: "lexiangchongming" WeChat account