Guangfulin Cultural Site: A Millennium Secret Underwater

Located beneath the fertile soil of Songjiang, the Guangfulin Cultural Site is a hidden gem where you can touch the "roots" of Shanghai. Half of the buildings are submerged in water, while the other half float by the shore. The orange roofs reflect in the clear waves, resembling a painted boat drifting from the pre-Qin era. In the early morning, mist drifts over the wooden bridge of the site, and at dusk, the setting sun gilds the rammed earth city walls. Standing by the water in plain-colored clothes, even your shadow carries the poetic charm of a thousand years. Whether you're shooting ancient-style photos or capturing moments where history meets modernity, every brick and ripple here fills your photo album with stories. This is definitely a "time film set" you can't miss when visiting Songjiang.
🕘【Opening Hours】: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM), February 9th every year from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (last entry at 1:00 PM); recommended visit time: 3-4 hours. Early morning has fewer people and soft light, perfect for shooting tranquil underwater architecture; evening light changes quickly, ideal for capturing the site's "golden hour."
💴【Ticket Price】: Free admission; internal exhibition halls require a fee.
⛺【Activities】:
Guangfulin Cultural Series Exhibition Halls: The "underwater museum" here is a must-photograph landmark—the orange roofs half-submerged in water, with clear reflections on the surface, as if the sky dropped a mirror on the ground. Standing on the stone path by the shore, you can create symmetrical compositions with the water reflections and buildings. Wearing light-colored clothes contrasts beautifully with the dark roofs, maximizing the ancient vibe. Don’t miss the rammed earth city walls in the site; their rough surfaces bear the marks of time. When sunlight hits at an angle, shooting side-profile silhouettes feels like a conversation with the ancients.
Zhiyen Zen Temple: A Tang Dynasty-style temple with red walls and vermilion pillars, its flying eaves resemble birds spreading their wings. Next to the temple, the red walls and green shadows of Chun Jinli create a beautiful scene. Sunlight filters through the partitions; leaning on the wooden railing by the door, you can frame people and greenery together. Press the shutter as the wind rustles the leaves, and even the falling leaves carry a Zen feeling. The red lanterns and wooden lattice windows inside the temple also make excellent backgrounds. Wearing Hanfu and spinning around, your skirt flares like a blooming flower.
Fulin Tower: A nine-story ancient-style tower offering panoramic views of the entire site from the top. The carved railings and bracket details are exquisite, perfect for close-ups—such as holding the railing and looking down, letting the curves of the eaves decorate the frame. Climbing the tower at dusk, you can capture sunbeams passing through the floors, casting golden light on the distant water, as if time itself is gilded.
Chen Zilong Memorial Hall: An antique Jiangnan-style residence commemorating the late Ming Dynasty poet Chen Zilong. The courtyard is paved with bluestone slabs, with moss in the corners complementing the carved window grilles, making it perfect for shooting "deep courtyard" scenes.
Clay Gassho Village: Inspired by Japanese Gassho-style architecture combined with Guangfulin’s clay culture, symbolizing the fusion of different civilizations. Rows of clay houses shaped like Japanese Gassho roofs, with roofs resembling hands pressed together adorably. The walls show natural clay textures, paired with stone paths and greenery in front, creating a fairy-tale-like healing atmosphere. Wearing a light-colored sweater or Japanese-style uniform and smiling with a tilted head in front of the houses instantly turns you into the star of a fresh Japanese poster. Afternoon sunlight slants on the roofs, casting layered shadows, making every shot warm and film-like.
Tianniu Bridge: Named for its shape resembling a beetle spreading its wings, it connects the ancient and modern areas of the site, symbolizing the crossing of time. This wooden corridor bridge over the water features rustic wood grain on the railings and pillars. Walking on the bridge, you can see reflections of the bridge and distant buildings on both sides of the water, perfect for a "walking through time" photo series. In the early morning mist, standing in the middle of the bridge and shooting backward creates a dreamy, fairy-like effect; at dusk, when the lights come on, warm yellow light filters through the pillars onto the water, making silhouettes full of story.
West Garden: Restored in the style of a classical Jiangnan garden, it was once a gathering place for ancient literati and still retains the poetic and picturesque atmosphere. This relatively quiet garden features small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers, embodying an elegant "peace amid bustle." The curved bridge connects to the lake pavilion; standing on the bridge to shoot the pavilion’s reflection creates a beautifully symmetrical composition. Willows hanging over the water and sitting inside the pavilion for side-profile shots with willow strands as the foreground create a gentle scene straight out of Jiangnan poetry.
🚌【Transportation Tips】: Public transport: Take Metro Line 9 to "Songjiang University Town Station," then transfer to Songjiang Bus 15 to "Guangfulin Road Longyuan Road" stop, followed by a 10-minute walk. For self-driving, parking is available at the scenic area for 10 RMB/hour.
👉【Itinerary Suggestions】:
Nearby Attractions: Guangfulin Countryside Park, right next to the site, free admission. Its vast lawns and wetlands are perfect for fresh-style photos. After visiting the site, you can rest here in a tent.
Thames Town, 8 km from the site, a 20-minute taxi ride. The European-style architecture feels like traveling abroad, great for vintage or wedding photos, creating a cute contrast with the ancient style of the site.
Recommended Accommodation: Atour Hotel Shanghai Songjiang Zhongshan East Road, about 8 km from Guangfulin Site, a 20-minute taxi ride, also convenient for the metro station. The front desk is very welcoming, offering tea service upon check-in. Don’t miss the Chinese and Western buffet breakfast and freshly brewed coffee; a full stomach gives you energy to explore the site! Free parking and charging stations for self-driving guests. The Atour bedding is soft and cozy; after a day of shooting, lying on the bed relaxes your whole body. The panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offer a night view of Songjiang, making it a great value!
🧡【Preparation Tips】:
Outfit: For an ancient style, plain-colored Hanfu or cotton-linen long skirts match the rustic feel of the site perfectly and look great in photos. You can also bring a film camera; the film texture pairs perfectly with the site's historical atmosphere.
Others: The site is large, so wear comfortable flat shoes; in summer, remember to bring a sun hat and mosquito repellent, as there are quite a few bugs near the water. Don’t forget to bring water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized.