Editor's Note



This year is the 21st anniversary of the opening of the Shanghai metro. The subway has facilitated more than 13 billion journeys during its 21 years, and half of Shanghai citizens cite the metro as their favored mode of transport. To commemorate the anniversary, each week the Global Times will take an in-depth look at one metro station and its surroundings. In the case of downtown stations, we will focus on points of interest within walking distance; while for suburban areas, we will cast our net a little wider.

Jiangpu Park Station on metro Line 12 straddles the border of Yangpu and Hongkou districts in an area that might be described as earthy, with residential neighborhoods, small eateries and shops. However, there is more to it than initially meets the eye. Highlights include the lovely park from which the metro station takes its name, a vibrant tea collection mall, and an arty café.

Jiangpu Park

The entrance to the park, which opens from 5 am to 7 pm daily, is at 1111 Changyang Road. There is an elegant teahouse by the main entrance.

It takes no more than 10 or so minutes to walk around the park. The lawn, the sinuous pathways lined with beautiful trees and plantations, and the corner dedicated to well-manicured bamboo plants make it pleasant.

Classical Chinese-style stone hills and pavilions complement the scenery. Moreover, there are plenty of benches to sit on and relax, though some might prefer to sit on the edge of the fountain.

A pond at the center of the park has many blooming lotuses in summer. In winter, the lotus leaves look no less poetic against the tranquil water. Bridges of wood and glass connect the shores.

Many elderly people gather in the park to sing, dance and play instruments like saxophones and clarinets.

The park also attracts a lot of students since it has a basketball ground and a range of exercise facilities. Kids come here to fly kites, which can be bought outside the main entrance.

Yangpu District Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is tucked away in the park.

This two-floor venue showcases the history and evolution of Yangpu district. Among the items on display are planning designs including the Wujiaochang area and Dalian Road, along with exhibition boards, models and multimedia displays.

The lawn, the sinuous pathways lined with beautiful trees and plantations make Jiangpu Park pleasant. Photos: Liao Fangzhou/GT

Teas and collection mall

Just across from the park at the intersection of Changyang Road and Qiqihaer Road is a mall (1181 Changyang Road) that is worth visiting. It accommodates Changyang Tea City (pictured bottom) on the first floor and Yijia Collection on the second floor.

Changyang Tea City houses many stalls selling various teas grown and produced in China.

It has over a dozen shops, each focusing on one or a few specific types of tea. For example, one stall named Chunhe sells white tea from Anji in Zhejiang Province and Taiwan, while Jumingxuan is the place to go for the famous West Lake Longjing tea. Lianlong, one of the largest stalls, has a variety of teas from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Povince, one of the country's major tea producing areas.

Shop owners here are very experienced in making tea for potential customers to sample, and prices are negotiable.

Equipment for making tea and the tea ceremony can also be found here, including items made from zisha, a type of rich clay that has been used to make tea sets since the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Yijia Collection gathers several shops featuring the country's natural treasures. There is Gobi jade and Hetian jade from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Jixue stone and Tianhuang stone from Changhua, Zhejiang Province.

Changyang Tea City

Lan café

Lan café (824 Jiangpu Road, near Changyang Road) is part of an art salon, which lends it a distinct look, with its shabby chic ceiling, classical Chinese paintings that fully occupy one of the walls, modern installations and cozy beige furnishings. The dinnerware looks both exquisite and futuristic.

While the place features Italian food such as pasta and pizza, it is the desserts that get rave reviews, for example waffle with fruit for 42 yuan ($6.80) and molten chocolate cake for 28 yuan.

The most popular choice here is the English-style afternoon tea. For 58 yuan, one gets to enjoy sandwiches and pastries presented on a three-tier stand.

Perhaps the out-of-the-way location is responsible for the café's small customer flow, but that makes it very quiet and ideal for contemplation, private conversations and reading. The café has a good range of books and magazines.