Established in 1929 as a private residence of Huang Jinrong, the park covers a total area of 35,500 square meters. Huang died in 1953.[3] In 1958 it became a public park maintained by the Shanghai Garden Management Office and it received the name Guilin Park due to the garden's osmanthus trees.[4][5]
The park was damaged during the Cultural Revolution when the group of sculptures "Eight Immortals crossing the Sea" was destroyed.[6]
Sights
Just like ancient Chinese gardens, it is densely decorated and planted with a vast variety of trees, including more than 1000 osmanthus trees.[7] This is one of the few parks in Shanghai that kept most of the aspects of traditional Chinese garden design, featuring gates, lakes, grottoes, rocks, curved paths, animal-shaped stones, stele and pavilions. Although its area is relatively small, the architecture of different parts varies, as if it were made to showcase a historical Chinese garden.
When the weather allows, nearby residents come here to play Go and Mahjong, sing or play music, do exercises, or relax lying on the meadow.[5]
Stele in Guilin Park
The surrounding wall separates the park from the streets and creek, making it possible to close it for the late afternoon and night. Entrance fee is 2 yuan.
Just across the street there is the larger and more modern Kangjian Park.[4]
