With many a shopping malls and commercial avenues in this very busy part of Shanghai, the Guangqi park is an oasis of peace for the residents who live around the area. The park has a long history and is one of the many green spaces, carefully cultivated and preserved within the city.
Located on the intersection of Nandan and Wending road in Xuhui district, Guangqi park has easy access from Xujiahui subway stop when travelers exit from gate 1 of the station. Metro line 1, line 9 and line 11 all have stops at Xujiahui. As there are many universities and a whole shopping district in Xujiahui, it is a very populous area and many public buses will have stops here too. The park opens early in the morning and closes by sundown. There is no entrance fee and the park is less a touristy area and more a hangout for locals. The St. Ignatius Cathedral (or Xujiahui Cathedral) is a few minutes away from the park. As are about 4 museums; within a 10-minute walking radius so the park can be a convenient break point when sightseeing!
Formerly known as the Nandan park, in 1983 the park was renamed Xu Guangqi to honor the memory of the Ming era scholar on his 350th death anniversary. Accordingly, there is a memorial hall which is a concise but pretty imperial style construction. With a small compound upon entrance, visitor is greeted by the bust of Xu Guangqi mounted on his resting place and behind that, within a small corridor there are various texts and pictures commemorating the achievements and philosophy of this scholar. His family is also buried within the compound. He was not only a reputed scholar, astronomer and mathematician but a bureaucrat who believed in excelling by not competing with the West, but rather sharing the learning between the West and the East. Guangqi was also a devout Christian and a bridge between two civilizations so a cross has been erected to pay homage to this aspect of his character as well.
Upon entering, the visitors are greeted by stelas forming an archway and further inside there are statues of Guangqi at work and others to make the park interesting. Other elements of oriental landscaping are at once visible like the artificial lake and bridges, hedges and shrubs with rock arrangements on the side and tall bamboo and various trees providing lush greenery and a sense of calm overtakes the guests.
Coming in the morning will have tourists witnessing the locals practicing tai chi or other calming exercises. In the evening there are mahjong players or people walking their pets, while children fly kites or ride bicycles. An excellent spot where the regulars assemble for their socializing and gossip while the younger generation can expend their energy playing and stretching. And even though the park is free, it is well-maintained with proper signage and directions. Each season brings a charming scene with the flowers and colors of that weather.