Qingxi Suburban Park in Shanghai: The Autumn Whisper of the Water Forest

🌲 **The "Emerald Wilderness" of Magic City** In Jinze Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai, there is a forest that seems to "blush"—the water cypress forest of Qingxi Suburban Park. This unique water forest in the Yangtze River Delta region puts on a spectacular show of "red clouds soaking the emerald waves" in late autumn. The branches and leaves of pond cypress and bald cypress change from lush green to rusty red, reflecting on the mirror-like water surface, as if nature has spilled its palette. 🌿 **Hikers Entering a Fairy Tale** Walking on the wooden boardwalk, there is babbling water beneath your feet and a canopy of intertwined red leaves overhead. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the foliage, making every step feel like walking on a carpet woven from light and shadow. Locals say these pond cypresses, planted in the 1980s to improve the marshland, have now become a resting place for migratory birds. When egrets skim the water surface, their wings stir up the sound of falling leaves—a natural symphony unheard in the city. 🕰️ **Time Slows Down Here** The core area of the park’s "water forest" is not large but enough to make you forget time. It’s recommended to arrive at the 8:30 AM opening, when the morning mist lingers, making it easiest to encounter the poetic scene of "half the river shimmering, half the river red." Remember to bring some snacks, sit on the waterside platform for a picnic, and watch the sunlight dye the cypress trees from dark red to golden brown, as if you can hear the sound of colors changing. 📌 **Practical Guide** 📍 Address: No. 500 Zilian Road, Jinze Town, Qingpu District ⏰ Best Season: Mid-November to early December (peak red leaf season) 🚩 Hidden Tip: After 3 PM, the light is softest, perfect for capturing stunning photos of cypress trees with starburst-shaped ripples in the water This secret spot just an hour’s drive from downtown uses red cypress, clear water, and bird songs to teach city dwellers how to converse with nature. When you step on fallen leaves and look back, you’ll realize—autumn is not just a season, but a memory dyed red.