Sheshan, divided into East and West Sheshan, is located in the ancient city of Songjiang in the western suburbs of Shanghai. It is a Catholic holy place in Southeast Asia.
The twelve peaks in the park stretch from southwest to northeast, stretching for about 13 kilometers, giving the flat Shanghai Plain a beautiful and varied mountain and forest landscape.
Dongsheshan National Forest Park boasts picturesque mountains, lush forests, and abundant flora and fauna. It is especially famous for its bamboo shoots, which have a subtle orchid fragrance.
The park's completed and open scenic areas include: East Sheshan Park, West Sheshan Park, Tianma Mountain Park, and Xiaokunshan Park.
Attractions Location: No. 9260, Qingsong Road, Sheshantanongkou, Songjiang District, Shanghai
Tickets: free
Opening hours:
08:30-17:00 (Monday to Sunday, May 1st - October 7th)
08:30-16:30 (October 8th - April 30th of the following year, Monday to Sunday)
Contact Details: 021-57657231
Transportation:
You can take bus No. 194, Songjiang No. 33, Songjiang No. 92, Songqing Line, or Qingche Special Line to Sheshan Station, which is within walking distance.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
Spend a full day immersing yourself in nature at Sheshan National Forest Park, enjoying hiking trails, panoramic views, and the serene environment.
Accommodation/Food: Day trip, so no accommodation needed. Dine at park cafes or try local restaurants near Sheshan Station offering Shanghainese cuisine.
Souvenirs: Local honey, handmade crafts, wine from Sheshan Vineyard, and botanical products from the park.
Combine nature exploration with cultural visits around Sheshan area.
Accommodation/Food: Book a guesthouse or boutique hotel near Sheshan for a countryside experience. Sample local river fish and traditional dishes at Zhaojialou.
Souvenirs: Astronomical-themed gifts, traditional water-town handicrafts, and local snacks from Zhaojialou.
Extend your visit with additional local attractions and cultural sites for a balanced experience.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in downtown Shanghai or near Longhua Temple. Try local street food and temple vegetarian cuisine.
Souvenirs: Temple charms, religious artifacts, natural products from both forest parks.
Enjoy a mix of countryside, cultural heritage, and urban Shanghai.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in downtown Shanghai with easy access to major attractions. Try Shanghainese and international cuisine.
Souvenirs: Arts and crafts from Shanghai Museum; branded products and snacks from Nanjing Road.
Experience Sheshan's nature, Shanghai's art scene, and urban charm.
Accommodation/Food: Stay near Jing’an or downtown. Explore trendy cafés and bars in M50 and Jing’an.
Souvenirs: Contemporary art pieces, handmade crafts, designer goods from M50.
Explore all facets of Shanghai from Sheshan’s forests to the bustling city life and cultural landmarks.
Accommodation/Food: Stay near the Bund or Lujiazui for beautiful city views. Sample seafood and international fine dining.
Souvenirs: Cityscape-themed souvenirs, luxury goods, local teas from Bund shops.
Spend a full week experiencing the best of nature, culture, history, and urban vibrancy with Sheshan as your nature base.
Accommodation/Food: Choose hotels in downtown Shanghai or near Sheshan for countryside tranquility. Enjoy diverse dining from street food to gourmet experiences.
Souvenirs: A curated collection from Sheshan and Shanghai: local wines, natural products, arts and crafts, and designer fashion.
Located in Songjiang, southwest of Shanghai, the park is bordered by National Highway 318 and the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway to the north, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway to the south, National Highway 5120 to the west, and the Fangsong Highway to the east. The park spans the towns of Sheshan, Tianma, and Xiaokunshan, encompassing 12 peaks, including Beigan Mountain, Shegong Mountain, Xue Mountain, Fenghuang Mountain, East Sheshan, West Sheshan, Chen Mountain, Zhongjia Mountain, Tianma Mountain, Ji Mountain, Hengshan, and Xiaokunshan, stretching from northeast to southwest. Tianma Mountain is the highest, at 98.2 meters, followed by Sheshan at 97.2 meters. The park stretches for approximately 13 kilometers, covering a total mountain area of 4.01 square kilometers. The Sheshan area has a mid-subtropical monsoon climate and is Shanghai's only natural mountain forest destination.
People living in the city can go hiking on weekends to breathe fresh air, and it's free.
I came here for the Catholic Church, but it was under renovation and is expected to reopen in the second quarter of this year. I was very disappointed. Fortunately, the weather was good today and other attractions are worth visiting.
The highest point on land in Shanghai is also a center of Catholicism.
I was doing a sushi rubbing there and it was so exciting. The environment is great. Is it the highest peak in Shanghai? Haha.
The two mountains to the east and west are not very high and are a natural oxygen bar. However, the transportation is a bit difficult and there are not enough buses.
The only mountain in Shanghai is also a Catholic holy place. It is home to Sheshan Catholic Church, the largest Catholic church in the Far East, and Sheshan Observatory, China's first astronomical observatory.
Sheshan is the back garden of Shanghai. It is less than 100 meters high and is the highest mountain in Shanghai.
Very nice place, not too high mountains, good air
Shanghai's only famous mountain, though its highest point is less than 100 meters above sea level, is well-preserved and offers stunning natural scenery, making it a great spot for a spring outing. It's free, though a bit far from the city center. Great! Sheshan Forest Park is actually divided into two parks, east and west, with separate entrances. First-time visitors should definitely ask for directions. It'll probably take two to three hours to explore both. West Sheshan is more crowded, with its astronomical museum and Catholic church. It holds many childhood memories, and I make a trip there every year when I have time.
Sheshan Scenic Area is divided into West Sheshan and East Sheshan. West Sheshan has a Catholic church, while East Sheshan has an observatory on top. The scenery is only average.
On September 2, 2017, I went there with my classmates. The mountain is not high, and the Catholic church makes people quiet and worth visiting.
In June 2013, I went on a day trip to the mountains with my boyfriend.
In Songjiang, Shanghai, take Metro Line 9 to Sheshan Station, Exit 1. The bus station is right there, and you can take the Songqing Line or Songjiang Bus No. 92. It's about 3-4 stops away. Sheshan is divided into East Sheshan and West Sheshan, located on the outskirts of the city. The air is pleasant, and you can stroll through them in 2-3 hours. It's free and open to the public; just pick up a ticket at the entrance.
The architectural style of the Catholic Church is quite nice. Sheshan is not very fun to visit, but you can go there to relax and breathe fresh air on the weekend.
A 100-meter mountain is still a mountain... I went hiking alone on the weekend to refresh my lungs. An accident: I rarely take the bus, and I forgot that there are two route signs at a bus stop. If I saw that there was no sign for the bus I wanted to take, I would go to the opposite side. If there was no sign on the opposite side, I would check the navigation and go back. If there was no sign on the opposite side, I would go back again. I climbed the overpass back and forth three times like this. I... I hope you won't have such an accident, haha
Sheshan is the only mountain in Shanghai. The bamboo forest path is very quiet and the air is very good. It is suitable for weekend hiking activities. Tickets are free.
After two grueling days at Disneyland, I was looking for a place to relax. A quick search on Baidu Maps led me to Sheshan. It didn't look too busy, so I asked my sister-in-law, who lives in Shanghai, and she agreed that there weren't many activities there, making it a relaxing and relaxing experience. So, we headed there. Unexpectedly, Sheshan National Forest Park is free and opens at 8:00 AM. I took my daughter there, and it wasn't very big. We walked along the plank road, stopping a few times to explore the observatory and church, and finally finished our stroll by 11:00 AM. We still had plenty of time to pack up and check out.
This is a scenic spot that is especially suitable for the elderly and children. It is clean and hygienic. It is surprising that there are no mosquitoes among so many trees. The church on the top of the mountain is quite beautiful. Many believers are doing confession (is that what it is called?) in the church. There are also several women singing hymns at the foot of the statue of the Virgin Mary. They sing well and are very pleasant to listen to.
The observatory, now a tourist attraction, once made significant contributions to China's astronomical research. The old radio telescope, though retired, had its glory days, including the discovery of Halley's Comet. The meteorite display showcases a variety of meteorites. I've never seen one as shiny and quartz-like as this one. There really are all sorts of visitors from outer space. Bringing children here to learn about astronomy and see a radio telescope you don't see in real life is a wonderful experience.
As the highest mountain in Shanghai, it is also quite famous. It is actually very suitable for family outings. Climbing is not tiring and the scenery at the top is nice.
Shanghainese have always joked about their lack of mountains. The only mountain, Sheshan, is less than 100 meters above sea level. I only visited here as a child on spring and autumn school outings, but I never imagined I'd return again as an adult (because I really didn't want to stay in the city anymore and didn't have enough time to explore the surrounding areas of Shanghai). It actually wasn't that bad. It wasn't too crowded, and walking around Sheshan, feeling the natural breeze from the "mountaintop," was surprisingly relaxing.
And it was only this time that I learned that Sheshan is divided into east and west sides 😂. I feel like I’ve been a Shanghainese for so many years in vain... Since I don’t exercise much after work, I want to start hiking again recently, so I plan to use Sheshan as a training ground to restore my physical strength. Next weekend, I will “climb” the east and west Sheshan mountains consecutively, which should also be an effective exercise for the thigh muscles.
Sheshan National Forest Park is located in Songjiang, west of Shanghai. It covers a large area, including East and West Sheshan, Chenshan, Tianmashan, Fenghuangshan, Hengshan, Xiaokunshan, etc. It can be said that most of the mountains of Shanghai, big and small, are concentrated in Songjiang, which is why Songjiang is known as the "Nine Peaks in the Clouds". The mountain we are going to climb today, West Sheshan, is also within the scope of Sheshan National Forest Park. People generally call West Sheshan Sheshan Sheshan, and when we go to Sheshan, we are referring to West Sheshan Sheshan.
West Sheshan Mountain boasts lush pine and bamboo groves and picturesque scenery. The mountain boasts the Sheshan Astronomical Museum, the Xiudaozhe Pagoda, built during the Northern Song Dynasty, and a Qing Dynasty Catholic church, also known as the "Sheshan Basilica of Our Lady of the Help of Christians." The mountain houses two religions: Taoism and Catholicism, a true blend of Chinese and Western cultures, with churches and pagodas coexisting.
It's not very interesting. The most important thing is the church. It's just so-so. I'd rather go to the church in the town of Thames.
If you haven't been there, you can go there directly on Metro Line 9.
The highest mountain in Shanghai is only over 100 meters above sea level.
Sheshan is not a particularly famous tourist attraction, but it has its own unique tranquility. The air quality is more beautiful than in downtown Shanghai. Climbing to the church on the top of the mountain, you can have a wide view.
The mountain is not high, and it takes about an hour to reach the top. When I got out of the subway, I was a little confused by the bus fare system.
There are no mountains in Shanghai. This is just a highland. In fact, it was only because the church chose the highland that the building materials became famous! The church once had a certain fame and status in the church, and now there are still many church members who selflessly dedicate themselves to it.
We had plenty of time after a quick visit to the Guangfulin Ruins Park, so we came to Sheshan National Forest Park. I had been to West Sheshan before, so this time I came to East Sheshan. When I got there, I found that I didn’t need to buy a ticket, so it was quite suitable to just walk around!
Although the National Day holiday wasn't particularly crowded, the hike up the mountain from the South Gate looked quite high. Fortunately, it wasn't tiring at all. The scenery was simply endless greenery, which wasn't much to ask for as a leisurely stroll. Looking at the signposts, we estimated we were about three-fifths of the way up. However, we lost interest in continuing and headed back to the South Gate via the roadway.
On October 21, 2013, my friends and I took the 9-yuan train to Songjiang. From Songjiang Railway Station, we took a bus to Happy Valley. The rides there were geared toward young people, not suitable for us. So, we walked along the way, asking for directions, and arrived at Sheshan National Forest Park over an hour later. We had a bowl of instant noodles in the tent at the entrance (they only served instant noodles and water). The gate looked impressive, but inside, all we saw were trees. There were many tall trees. At the top of the mountain, there was an observation deck. From the trail, we could see the white dome of the church in the distance. A forest park, as long as there were trees, was fine. We decided to descend the mountain and visit the church.
A small hill in the suburbs of Shanghai. If you don't want to leave Shanghai, you can go there to breathe fresh air.
I've been there many times because of Songjiang. The mountain is actually too low, so I climbed to the top very quickly. It's not very fun.
I was thinking about climbing a mountain during the New Year. The highest mountain in Shanghai is Sheshan, which is actually less than 100 meters high. Although there was smog that day, there were so many people thinking about climbing the mountain during the New Year. It was free on New Year's Day. I arrived in the afternoon, and there were more than 4,000 people before entering the park. The aisles were full of people, and the places selling water and food were crowded, as if they were free. The usually quiet Catholic church was full of people resting, but I believe it would not affect the truly devout people. I don’t know if it’s because I have been to Europe and seen N churches, so I feel that the first church in the Far East, which was once very spectacular, is just like this. However, it was really not easy to build a church on such a high place. Especially when I climbed up and was able to listen to the Lord’s teachings, it also reflects my sincerity.
Members of the Extreme Challenge team have been here and think it should be pretty good. The mountain is not high and far from the city. You can't see very far from the top of the mountain. The most distinctive features are the Catholic Church on the top of the mountain and the Sheshan Observatory. The ticket to the observatory is 12 yuan per person. There are still many things worth seeing and you can learn a lot.
Sheshan National Forest Park is located in Songjiang, southwest of Shanghai, 30 kilometers from the city center and 20 kilometers from Hongqiao Airport. It lies south of the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway. It comprises 12 peaks: Fenghuang Mountain, Sheshan Mountain, Chenshan Mountain, Tianma Mountain, and Xiaokun Mountain. Tianma Mountain is the highest, at 98.2 meters, while Sheshan, as we commonly refer to it, is 97.2 meters.
This is also the only natural forest park in Shanghai. Currently, the scenic areas include East Sheshan Park, West Sheshan Park, Tianma Mountain Park, Xiaokunshan Park, and Yuehu Lake.
The Catholic Church, Sheshan Monastery, Sheshan Observatory, Sheshan Earthquake Benchmark Station, etc. are all located in the West Sheshan Park.
Transportation: Get off at Sheshan Station on Metro Line 9, and transfer to the Shanghai-Chenzhou Line, Songqing Line, etc.
From Shanghai Stadium, take Line 1B, or take the Shanghai-Chenyang Line or the Shanghai-Sheyang-Kunming Line from the West District Bus Station to Sheshan.
Tickets: West Sheshan is free (you can get a free ticket with a postcard), East Sheshan: 30 yuan (including sand sculptures, bird garden, and butterfly garden), Moon Lake: 120 yuan.
Opening hours: Daytime, 8:00~16:30
It's said to be the highest mountain in Shanghai, though it's less than 100 meters high. It's a bit far from the city center; after getting off Sheshan subway station, you need to take a bus. You can also rent a bicycle. There's a bicycle rental place next to the overpass where you can rent one and ride to Sheshan. (Bike rental is free, but there's a 200 yuan deposit per bicycle, which you'll need to show your ID and is refunded upon return.) The forest park is divided into East Sheshan and West Sheshan. East Sheshan is more popular, with an observatory and a church. Admission to the observatory is 12 yuan, but there are no other fees. West Sheshan is completely free, just for climbing the steps. There's a platform at the top with a nice view. The weather was nice on the day we visited, and we saw a blue sky we hadn't seen in a while. I recommend visiting Songjiang University Town if you have time. There's a convenient bus stop just down the road from East Sheshan. The snacks there are cheap and varied, and well worth trying.
The entrance to Dongshe Mountain is relatively small. The mountain has a classical Chinese style, with several small hexagonal stone pavilions with flying eaves and upturned corners; a bamboo sea, a plank road; many forking and winding paths; the top of the mountain is marked by a large stone "Nan Gaofeng", and there are many red ribbons tied around it for praying.
To enter Xishe Mountain, you need to pick up a free ticket at the ticket booth. The path to the summit is essentially a straight line. Not far from the entrance is the "Monk's Tower," a renovated monument from the last century. The observatory requires a separate ticket, but it was too crowded today so I skipped it. I also visited the Catholic Church, where a parishioner was giving a lecture. Xishe Mountain boasts a rich architectural landscape.
It's quite far from the city, but if you're planning a day or two trip to Songjiang, a combination of Sheshan, Happy Valley, and Thames Town is a good option. You don't need to buy a ticket to Sheshan, but you do need to collect one. The climb is pleasant on a good day—it's not too high, not tiring, and the scenery is beautiful. The only concern is crowds, which can make a beautiful scenic spot feel overcrowded.
Sheshan Catholic Church and Sheshan National Forest Park are very close, as well as Sheshan Observatory.
Last time I went to Songjiang with my sister, because the distance was quite close, we drove to Sheshan for fun.
I heard that this is a famous resort and many people go there during holidays.
We went up from Xishe Mountain and bought 30 tickets
There is a tower when you first go up, but it is just for decoration and you can't climb it.
Going up further, there is a fork that leads to the Bamboo Forest Park (I can’t remember the name, but I know it is related to bamboo)
We chose another way to climb up
There is a similar exhibition hall above, which contains some things related to time.
There is also a scale that can weigh people on Earth and on the moon.
There are some other things on display. To be honest, I don’t know what they are without reading the introduction.
There are other astronomical instruments and equipment on the side.
I walked a little further and arrived at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. This was my first time seeing an observatory.
But I just looked outside and took a sneak peek inside and saw a large device.
No, I don't know what it's called, just take a look.
There is a sign near the observatory saying it is 99 meters above sea level, which is not very high.
Then I wanted to go to the Catholic Church but found that the road was blocked, so I came down and took a detour.
Afterwards, we went to the Catholic Church and then returned home.
Today I saw many people on DP saying that Sheshan is the only mountain in Shanghai or the highest mountain.
No wonder this mountain attracts so many Shanghainese people.
It's not surprising to think that there are so many mountains in Hangzhou.
Sheshan is accessible from Sheshan Station on Metro Line 9, but the station isn't directly on the mountain itself. After getting off the subway, there's a bicycle rental nearby. You can rent a bicycle there and ride to Sheshan (the bike rental is free, but there's a 200 yuan deposit per bicycle, which is refundable upon return). The ride takes about half an hour, passing Happy Valley, Maya Water Park, and Moon Lake Sculpture Park. Cycling is a great option, as the air there is incredibly fresh. That day, we rode to East Sheshan, returned the bicycle, and then headed up the mountain. Sheshan isn't very high at all, and the climb from the base only takes a few dozen minutes. From there, you can head to West Sheshan. At West Sheshan, everyone gets a free ticket with a postcard on the back for postal delivery. At the highest point of West Sheshan lies a church and an astronomical museum. The church is free, but the museum does require admission. Sheshan is covered in abundant greenery, so the air is exceptionally fresh.
I went there a few years ago. It is the highest mountain in Shanghai and can be hiked up. A good place for leisure and entertainment.
It was drizzling when we went there today. The mountain is not high but it is still tiring to climb up. We went to Xishe Mountain. It was raining and there were not many people. There was not much to eat there. We also saw many squirrels today. The environment inside was okay.
Sheshan is arguably the only mountain in Shanghai. While it's quite low, the scenery is absolutely stunning. A word of caution: if you're going up the mountain, be sure to pack plenty of food and water, or eat a full meal, as everything here is incredibly expensive!
Get off at Sheshan Station on Metro Line 9
The bus (several routes) goes all the way forward, passing Dongsheshan and going to Xisheshan first.
Xisheshan has an observatory and a cathedral, which is worth a visit.
After descending West Sheshan, walk back to East Sheshan, which is the Forest Park, and take another walk.
After coming out, continue walking back to Yuehu Sculpture Park
Then walk to Subway Line 9
The air is fresh and the scenery is beautiful. There are Catholic churches, planetariums, etc. to visit.
It's not a very high mountain, and there's no entrance fee. Climbing the mountain in the spring and basking in the sun is also great.
A great place to visit, Shanghai's second highest peak at 99m. You don't need to buy a ticket here, you just need to get one. It's a natural oxygen bar. There is a seismic station and an astronomical observatory, as well as a Catholic church. The winding mountain road is suitable for jogging and recovery training.
Sheshan, located in Songjiang District, Shanghai, is the highest mountain in Shanghai. Haha, it can be considered a mountain, and the environment is good.
The Big Bell of Xishe Mountain
Moon Lake, there is an artificial beach where you can take a rest
Shanghai is flat, and all the mountains in the city are concentrated in Songjiang District, among which Sheshan is known as the "No. 1 Peak in Shanghai".
East and West Sheshan are located on both sides of the Waiqingsong Highway and are not connected to each other.
East Sheshan is mainly for citizens to exercise and has lush vegetation;
Xisheshan has several tourist check-in spots that must be recommended!
The first one is of course the Great Catholic Cathedral on the top of the mountain, known as the "First Cathedral in the Far East". Its towering towers are full of Gothic architectural style and are great for taking photos.
The observatory and astronomical museum next to it were also built by French colonists and later became the Sheshan Station of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.
The treasure of the museum is the ancient super-large astronomical telescope, which is a great place for parent-child experience and astronomy enthusiasts;
Let’s talk about the Xiudaozhe Ancient Pagoda and Xiuhua Temple on the mountainside. The pagoda was built by Taoist priests in the Song Dynasty, and ancient coins are inlaid in the pagoda.
Behind the tower, the first floor of Xiuhua Temple houses a golden Maitreya Buddha, and the second floor houses a bronze bell for blessing, which is called "Chaoling'e" by Shanghai people.
Make a wish here, ring the bell three times, and then ask for a Zhouyi fortune stick, which is said to be so effective that it is scary;
By the way, I would like to mention "Qingshe", a Jiangnan dessert teahouse next to the bell tower - it is hard to imagine that there is such an elegant place in the mountains.
There are yellow bamboo and white walls, green bricks and logs, a "ruin" made of crystal glass bricks on the front, and a leisurely futon. Any photo you take will look like a blockbuster.
Drink a pot of leisurely tea in front of the French window, taste a few cups of Jiangnan specialty sweet soup, traditional tea snacks, coffee, juice and other drinks, and occasionally make Jiangnan seasonal snacks such as black rice and green rice balls.
Looking at the mountains, flowers, snow and moon, and the scenery of the four seasons, I feel very fairy-like.
Personally, I think Sheshan is a place with a lot of FEEL.
It is not only the highest peak in Shanghai, but also a magical landmark where Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and modern science are freely integrated and harmoniously unified.
It is a classic representative of Shanghai culture.
Enjoy the flowers in spring, cool in summer, appreciate the leaves in autumn, and walk on the snow in winter.
It is worth the trip to pray for blessings, drink tea, and sit and watch the rain fall in the mountains when there are few people.