Century Park

Shanghai's answer to Central Park. (And you didn't know it was a question.) Century Park is probably the largest park in Shanghai. It is located in Pudong, which is across the Hangpi River from where I live in Puxi (pronounced Pushi). Yesterday was a warm, sunny day with a predicted high of 18 so I decided to go and check it out. I had heard that you could take a passenger ferry across the river so I made finding this ferry my challenge for the day. I set out on my bike bright and early, around 11:00 a.m. I rode to the center of town and did a bit of shopping then went off in search of the ferry. It didn't take long to find it.

Back in the old days a ferry boat was the only way to travel between Pudong and Puxi. Now there are numerous bridges and tunnels. But I still counted three separate ferry services running between the two sides. As long as there is foot, bicycle and moped traffic I hope the ferry service continues.

Before I say any more I want to describe the Huangpi River. I still haven't taken any pictures of it but I will. It's something very much like the Queensway, or any other highway. There is a constant stream of bumper to bumper traffic, only this traffic consists of freighters, barges, floating billboards and tour boats. The boat traffic going up and down the river never seems to end. And to top it off, there are small ferry boats shuttling people across the river. Have you figured out the problem yet? The large ocean going vessels, which probably take the length of a few football fields to stop, are traveling up and down the river and these smaller ferry boats are cutting back and forth across the river in between these big behemoths. Does it sound dangerous? It should because I think it really is! But is was a really great ride. I couldn't go out onto the small open deck because I wanted to stay with my vehicle (i.e. my bike),but I peered out from between the bars of the gate and watched.

Once I got across the river it took me about an hour to get to the park (on my one-speed bike). Of course I took the long route. I always do the first time I go somewhere in Shanghai. It only took me about 35 minutes to get back to the ferry later in the day. The park was really nice. I paid 10 Yuan (about $1.60) to get in and spent an hour walking through the pathways and enjoying the relative solitude that existed there on a Wednesday afternoon.

Here are some pictures that I took while I was there. Not sure what this boat was for, but it was pretty.

The park had many small bridges. You could rent a small boat and toodle around in the waterways if you so desired.

Along with boat rentals, the park had a small amusement park, bicycle rentals and paddle boat rentals. You could rent a tandem bike or even one built for three! You could also rent bikes for two or four people in which you could sit beside each other and be covered with a canopy. They seemed to be quite popular! This is the lake on which you could paddle around in a paddle boat (or is that peddal boat? Not sure.)

The park had many quiet places where you could sit and relax.

There was one garden on the map that had to see. It was called Montreal Garden. I think I found it. There was no sign, but I think this was it. The maple leaves were a good clue!

All 'n all it was a good adventure. The park was nice, but I wouldn't want to live in Pudong. It is the newer, more modern side of Shanghai. The streets are wider and the character and charm that you can find in the small alleyways and neighbourhoods in Puxi seemed to be missing in Pudong. Mind you, they will all be gone soon on the Puxi side too.