Shanghu is located at the southern foot of Yushan in Changshu, a lake and a mountain that should not be missed in Changshu City. The lake, known for its water, adds a touch of elegance and is said to have been named after Jiang Shang (Jiang Taigong) who secluded himself here to avoid the tyranny of King Zhou of Shang. If you are looking for a scenic and leisurely park for a stroll, Shanghu is a perfect choice. The Fengshui Dam, which runs north to south through the lake, divides Shanghu into two parts, east and west, with the seventeen-hole Moonlight Bridge resembling a string of pearls on the water. The Lotus Fragrance Island in the south of the lake is a large island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The main attraction is the area around Lotus Fragrance Island, so it is common to enter from the main (south) entrance on the south shore of Shanghu, which is closer to Lotus Fragrance Island. Upon entering the main entrance, you will find Taigong Island, where you can see a statue of Jiang Taigong fishing, and visit the Jiang Shang Cultural Museum and the Ancient Ship Model Museum. Next, visit the Fushui Villa, an important building in Shanghu, originally located at the foot of Yushan, which was the residence of Qian Qianyi. His lover, one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai, Liu Rushi, is buried here. Today, you can still see Liu Rushi’s tomb and Qian Qianyi’s tomb at the southern foot of Yushan. Unfortunately, the original building has been destroyed, and the current one in Shanghu is a replica. Then, visit the water forest on the west side of Lotus Fragrance Island, where a large area of Chinese fir trees growing in the water is also a highlight of Shanghu. Walking on the wooden plank road laid on the water surface and walking through the forest for deep breathing feels particularly good. The lake surface of the forest is full of river water chestnuts, and you can see white water birds spotted in the forest. You can also take a bamboo raft to drift through the water forest, with a reference price of 25 yuan. Finally, return to Lotus Fragrance Island to visit the Ming and Qing Dynasties buildings Liuxiang Pavilion, Boya Hall, Zhaoshan Building, and Sijing Garden. All have been refurbished, and except for Zhaoshan Building, which was originally by the lake, the others were moved from elsewhere in Changshu. Then visit the Jiangnan Peony Pavilion in the Chinese Peony Garden to see the peonies, and after visiting the landscape cultural garden with regular park attractions such as rockeries and artificial waterfalls, Lotus Fragrance Island can be considered as having been played enough. Tourists with children can walk on the iron suspension bridge of Lotus Fragrance Island, play in the Happy Island with children’s amusement facilities, and take a boat on the lake to see the rippling lake water and Yushan reflected in the lake, with a reference price of 40 yuan for speedboats and 40 yuan for painted boats (300 yuan for departure, equivalent to having to be full of 10 people). Every April, the peony flower exhibition is a business card of Shanghu. In summer, lotus flowers bloom on the lake surface. In autumn, there is a lantern festival, usually from September to October, when the night garden will be open and will be lively until nine or ten in the evening before closing. In autumn, hairy crabs are available, and it is also a time to eat delicious food. Changshu has not only Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, but also Shanghu clear water crabs, which are also very good. The river water chestnuts in the water forest have also matured, and the boatmen are picking chestnuts in the chestnut thickets with boats, and you can directly buy freshly picked chestnuts in the scenic area.
Located outside the main entrance of Shanghu, the Shanghu Water Street features several tourist souvenir shops and restaurants, among which Xiushui Square is quite famous for its braised pork, chicken soup, fish soup, and hairy crabs. The scenic area is open year-round from 08:10 to 16:30. Concessions include: Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters (inclusive) in height enter for free (with household registration book); Children/students aged between 6 (exclusive) and 18 years (inclusive), as well as full-time undergraduate and below students can enjoy half-price tickets with valid identification; Elderly aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above enter for free with valid ID; Elderly aged between 60 and 70 years (exclusive) can enjoy half-price tickets with valid ID; Disabled individuals with a ‘Disabled Person’s Certificate’ issued by the Disabled Persons’ Federation enter for free; Severely disabled individuals (first and second level) can bring one accompanying person for free entry; Active-duty military personnel of the People’s Republic of China enter for free with a ‘Military Officer’s Certificate’; Retired military officers enter for free with valid identification; Retired cadres enter for free with a ‘Retired Cadre’s Honor Certificate’ issued by the Central Military Commission. Additional information: Infants in arms can ride bamboo rafts and electric carts for free within the Shanghu Scenic Area. The above information is for reference only; the actual situation should be based on the public notice at the scenic area. Service facilities include: Parking lots – Shanghu Scenic Area Parking Lot No.1, reference price: 7 yuan per time for cars with less than 7 seats, 20 yuan for minibuses, 25 yuan for coaches; address: at the entrance of Shanghu Scenic Area Gate No.1; number of spaces: 720; Shanghu Scenic Area Parking Lot No.2, reference price: 7 yuan per time for cars with less than 7 seats, 20 yuan for minibuses, 25 yuan for coaches; address: at the entrance of Shanghu Scenic Area Gate No.2; number of spaces: 240; Shanghu Scenic Area Parking Lot No.3, reference price: 7 yuan per time for cars with less than 7 seats, 20 yuan for minibuses, 25 yuan for coaches; address: at the entrance of Shanghu Scenic Area Gate No.3; number of spaces: 240. Mobile phone charging: rental services for power banks are available within the scenic area. Luggage storage: reference price: free. Scenic area explanation: artificial explanation services are provided at the scenic area service desk. Cost: 100 yuan per person per hour. Transportation within the park: shuttle buses run every 20 minutes; during major events or peak tourist seasons, the interval may be extended. Stroller rental: reference price: chargeable. Restrooms: there are multiple restrooms within the Shanghu Scenic Area, marked with clear signs. Smoking areas: outside the scenic area visitor center, speedboat dock, behind the water brushing villa, and near the wisteria corridor. Baby care rooms: located in restrooms at Gate No.1, Gate No.2, and the water forest. Vending machines: there are multiple vending machines within the Shanghu Scenic Area, located near the ticket office at Gate No.1, Water Brushing Villa, and Liuxiang Pavilion.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are not accepted. Convenience stores: Multiple vending machines are located within the Shanghu Scenic Area, near Shanghu Yangliu Island Store, Shanghu Sijinyuan Kiosk, Shanghu Peony Garden Kiosk, and Guanhe Bridge Trinket Shop. WeChat Pay is accepted.
