Gongqing Forest Park

2000 Jungong Lu, near Yinhang Lu
21/6574-0586
www.shgqsl.com [1]

HOURS: Daily 6 a.m.-5 p.m.

COST: ¥15

METRO: Shiguang Road (Line 8)

Gongqing Forest Park is a true wilderness in the Yangpu District of northern Shanghai, complete with roaming horses, sprawling lakes, and relative calm. It covers 131 hectares (324 acres) and includes a fun fair, barbeque pits, arboretums, a zip-wire over the lake, and even wooden chalets where guests can spend the night.

Gongqing is as close to the countryside as you can get within the city limits, but a stroll up to the “scenic lookout point” reminds you that you’re in an industrial metropolis. Instead of rolling hills and blue skies, the vista is a dockyard with container ships and tankers cruising by on the river.

Getting to the park is something of a trek (the nearest Metro is a short taxi ride from the entrance), but it makes a great day trip or afternoon jaunt.