A NEW suburban country park will open on a trial operation this weekend, officials said yesterday.

The Pujiang Country Park in Minhang District features a 600-year-old ancient town and some original villages that have been retained, the district government said.

The first phase opening this weekend covers about 5.82 square kilometers. Villagers are still living in more than 2,000 households within the park.

They maintain their original country lifestyle and some operate small businesses in the Duhang ancient town, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The town has the best preserved old street in Minhang, Duhang Old Street, which will also open to public along with the park.

The street began as a commercial center in the Ming Dynasty and remains vibrant today.

Visitors are advised to take the Metro Line 8 to the park since only 5,000 parking lots will be open during the trial, said Yang Yongjian, an official in charge of the construction and operation of the park.

More parking will come, along with shuttle bus services and eateries when the park officially opens in October.

Phase one has four zones, including one along the Huangpu River, dense forest, urban forest and an entertainment zone.

The park features a lake and more than 600,000 trees which will improve air quality in the surrounding areas.

On completion of its second and last phase by 2020, the park will cover 15.29 square kilometers.