Shanghai Daily news

While the Formula One race track may be the top draw, Jiading District also boasts of some spectacular scenic spots to its name.
The 780-year-old district's claim to fame is a Confucius Temple and a sprawling Guyi Garden, besides traditional folk art centers for bamboo carving and Chinese calligraphy.
Located in the district's Nanxiang Town, Guyi Garden features Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) architecture, winding pebble paths, tranquil ponds and scores of exotic birds.
It has a goose pond in the center and is surrounded by ancient pavilions, lush trees, terraces and kiosks. Calligraphic scrolls adorn the walls.
Originally named Yi Garden - meaning "beauty of green bamboo" in Chinese - the garden is well-known for its collection of diverse species of bamboo.
Bamboo holds a special pride of place in Chinese culture, symbolizing harmony between nature and human beings. One section of the garden, known as the Green Clean Garden, is home to more than 30 species of the wooden grass.
A variety of ancient structures, such as a Tang Dynasty (618-907) stele inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and a stone pagoda from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), complement running streams and meditative ponds.
The garden's Recluse Hall has a history of more than 400 years. At the hall's front are two ancient locust trees that have grown, by chance, to resemble the shape of a dragon.
The famous Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant is right near the garden's entrance.

Address: 218 Huyi Highway, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District
Admission: 12 yuan
Opening hours: 5:30am to 5:30pm from May to October; 6am to 5pm from November to April
Tel: 5912-2225 5912-1335
Traffic: Travel Bus Line 6 (A), Bus 517, 562, 822, Beijia Line, Hutang Line, Hunan Line, Xianghua Line, Xianghuang Line

The Confucius Temple is on Zhengnan Street in Chenxiang Town. It was built  in 1219 in memory of Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher and educator.
As Confucius symbolizes academic achievements in China, the temple is mostly frequented by visitors seeking admission to prestigious schools and achievements in their study or job.
The temple is mainly composed of Ling Xing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall and Minlun Hall. Three arches named "Xinxian," "Yucai" and "Yanggao" stand at the Ling Xing Gate.
Seventy-two stone lions form a baluster which symbolizes Confucius's students of the same number.
Ban Pond, built in 1324, is to the south of Dacheng Gate which is the most eye-catching gate in the temple.
The gate, which is 29 meters wide, is supported by five columns, behind which stand  seven 2-meter-high steles with stone tortoises at the bottom.
The record of temple renovations of the dynasties is inscribed on the steles.
In the eastern corner of the Confucius Temple is the Huilong Pond, which is another major attraction.
Built in 1588, the 16th year of the Qanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty, the pond is actually the confluence of five rivulets. Standing over the pond and surrounded by the rivulets, Yingqui Hill is just like a glittering pearl embraced by five dragons.
The garden around the pond covers 4.5 hectares. Pavilions, terraces and kiosks are creatively laid out, which makes the garden one of the top five ancient gardens of the city.

Address: 183 Zhengnan Street, Jiading District
Admission: 10 yuan
Opening hours: 8am to 4pm
Tel:5952-5800
Traffic: Travel Bus Line 6 (B) (6:30am to 5pm every 40 minutes)