Luxun Park and Museum
Address: Dalian Xilu, Shanghai (Metro Line 3 to Hongkou Football Staidum Station)
Admission Fee: Museum Admission = 8 RMB

Manager ReviewAuthor:Vikki (Last Modified: 2007-03-31 23:51:59.0)

Luxun Park was created out of a shooting range in 1896. Over one hundred years later, many changes have been made including the addition of a lake, a “mountain”, and in 1999 , Hongkou Football Stadium. Covering 22 hectares of land it is a taste of traditional China.

Much busier and bigger than Longhua Memorial Park and Museum, Luxun Park really begins bustling with activity in the morning around 10am when the park is truly a feast for the senses. First witness a old Chinese woman, decked out in silk, gliding through the air as she leads a “class” in Tai Chi. Members of the older generation always enjoy the badminton courts, jungle gym and organized activities in the club house. Hordes of couples gather to dance ballroom style to Panpipe versions of Whitney Houston. Still more bring their instruments and voices to jam together with reckless abandon! The music rises though the air with laughter and a sense of real community. The park is a social event for the Chinese, but if that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, there are more attractions. The park is, after all, named after a famous writer.

Lu Xun wrote at the time of the May 4th cultural movement. The goal of his work was to educate and he pulled no punches with a realistic and somewhat sarcastic style. I have always been a fan of Lu Xun since he had a similar writing style and indeed similar interests to myself. Not that I am putting myself into his league, I wouldn’t even dream of it! Lu Xun was a radical who loved young people. He encouraged these young minds to develop their own writing styles and to write from their heart. He was also an advocator for better international relations. The park is a mausoleum and his remains were moved there from another location. To learn more about his life I recommend visiting the museum which only costs 8RMB to enter. All information is offered in English.

There is also a stunning plum tree garden that is well worth a look. The admission fee is 12RMB, and the ticket is a bookmark written in both Chinese and Korean. At the bottom of the pavilion is a Korean gift store. The shop is also well worth a visit just to speak to the owner, a delightful man with some English who, when it is cold, offers complimentary Chinese tea.

There is a Sunflower English cottage which has a rooftop beer garden, an amusement park for the kids, and a lake with a variety of boats. If you are feeling peckish, the surrounding area has all manner of fast food, Chinese restaurants and wonderful street side with food  stalls. Across the road is Shanghai International Studies University which boasts the best public swimming pool in Shanghai, so bring your swimsuit and make a day of it.

Those growing tired of the glitter of downtown Shanghai should come along to Luxun Park and truly discover the gold. Situated on Dalian Xi Lu, the park can be accessed by metro line 3 Hongkou Football Stadium station.