Guangfulin Cultural Site: A journey through time and space to explore the roots of Shanghai's 6,000-year-old civilization

Shocking discovery - the thousand-year-old secret opened by the pottery shards at the bottom of the river
Guang Fulin's story began in 1958 with an ordinary rural labor. When the villagers of Guangfulin Village in Songjiang dredged the Shijiabang River, they inadvertently dug up a pile of ancient pottery fragments. These inconspicuous fragments quickly attracted the attention of the cultural relics department. The following year, after the investigation of the Shanghai Municipal Cultural Relics Preservation Commission, it was confirmed as an important ancient cultural site, the source of Shanghai civilization that had been dormant for thousands of years, and thus its true appearance began to appear. The first exploratory excavation in 1961 unearthed more than 30 cultural relics such as stones and pottery, which were classified into the category of Liangzhu culture at that time. However, the real secret goes far beyond that.

The civilization puzzle - the confirmation and value of "Guangfulin culture"
Since 1999, the Shanghai Museum has presided over large-scale systematic archaeological excavations that have lasted for more than ten years, with a cumulative excavation area of tens of thousands of square meters. Archaeologists have found that the cultural layer here is like a giant "mille-feuille cake", clearly superimposing the Songze culture, Liangzhu culture, Guangfulin culture, and cultural relics of various periods such as Zhou, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing from bottom to top, with a time span of more than 5,000 years.

The most significant achievement was the identification and confirmation of the "Guangfulin culture" (about 4100-3900 years ago). It inherits the glorious Liangzhu culture and the Maqiao culture, filling the key gap in the prehistoric cultural sequence in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is particularly important that the artifacts of Guangfulin culture have the characteristics of Liangzhu in the south and Longshan culture in the north, and have witnessed the exchange and integration of civilizations in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin about 4,000 years ago, which can be called the mark left by "the earliest immigrants in Shanghai". It is this kind of human activity and civilization inheritance that has not been interrupted since 5,500 years ago that makes Guangfulin deservedly become the "root" of exploring the origin and development of Shanghai city.

> In-Depth Understanding: Exploring More Miracles of China's Prehistoric Civilization >> [Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins]

Architectural wonders – modern poems floating on the waters of history
The building itself is a work of art that perfectly combines the weight of history with a sense of modern design.

- Guangfulin Cultural Exhibition Hall (Underwater Museum): This is the soul of the entire heritage park. A group of huge, ancient ridge-like triangular buildings float on Lake Fulham, while the main exhibition space is cleverly set underwater. Stepping into it is like embarking on a "journey through time and space", from the evolution of Shanghai and the arrival of ancestral activities, to the prosperity of Songjiang Prefecture and the rise of modern cities, through the display of cultural relics and the restoration of high-tech scenes, vividly narrating the story of Shanghai for 6,000 years.
- Fulin Pagoda and Ancient Buildings: Located between Zhiye Zen Temple and Sanyuan Palace, Fulin Pagoda is a triple-eaves pagoda in the style of the late Tang Dynasty, and is also the commanding height and iconic landscape in the park. The park has also rebuilt a Hui school building complex with pink walls and tiles, with exquisite horse head walls and quiet courtyards, which reflect the reflection in the water, and are affectionately called the "Magic City Little Forbidden City" by tourists, which is an excellent background for ancient photography.
- Zhiye Zen Temple and Sanyuan Palace: Zhiye Zen Temple, rebuilt to commemorate the Tang Dynasty eminent monk Zhiye Zen Master, is a good place to meditate and pray for blessings. The adjacent Sanyuan Palace is a Taoist temple, reflecting the artistic conception of the harmonious coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in traditional culture.

Site Traces - A Millennium Chronicle that touches the underground
In addition to the shocking above-ground buildings, the core value of Guangfulin is hidden deep under the soil.

- Archaeological Site Exhibition Hall: Located on the north side of the core reserve, part of the archaeological excavation site has been preserved as it is. Tourists can observe archaeological relics such as exploration sites, ash pits, and tombs up close, with detailed explanations, intuitively feel the process and charm of archaeological work, and understand the secrets of the land cascading under their feet.
- Core Protected Area (Fields and Rice Fragrance): In the center of the park, a large area of unexplored pristine state reserve is deliberately preserved, now an open rice field, green space and water surface. Rape blossoms bloom in spring and golden rice waves in autumn, which is not only an idyllic scenery, but also symbolizes the endless life of civilization. You can imagine here that thousands of years of cultural relics and treasures may sleep under this quiet land.
- Bone Needle Square: In the center of the square stands a bone needle sculpture symbolizing the fishing and hunting life of the ancestors, which is one of the symbols of Guangfulin culture and reminds people that this was once the home of the ancestors who lived in symbiosis with nature with their wisdom.

Photography cheats:
> The best panoramic camera is on the shore of Fulin Lake, where you can take pictures of the underwater museum roof and the reflection of the Fulin Tower in the water, especially at sunset.
> The area around Jixianfang in the Hui school complex, the horse head wall and corridor are very suitable for taking silhouettes or ancient portraits.
> The core reserve of autumn, golden rice fields and quaint buildings form a poetic picture.
> Drone flight Please pay attention to the park's regulations, and the high-altitude view can show the geometric beauty of the building and water layout.

Five must-do things to unlock a complete root-finding journey
1. Take an underwater journey through time
    - Core: Buy tickets to enter the Guangfulin Cultural Exhibition Hall (Underwater Museum), which is the key to understanding the "roots of Shanghai".
    - Experience: Follow the gently sinking passage, watch the reconstruction of Shanghai's development history from prehistory to modern times, and feel the shock of history flowing around you.
2. Visit an ancient temple of the Qingyou Zen Monastery
    - Location: Go to Zhiye Zen Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings, and feel the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient temple. The sign in the temple "There is not much incense, but the heart is spiritual" reflects a simple view of faith.
    - Linkage: Visit the adjacent Sanyuan Palace and Duoyun Academy, which was transformed from a well-preserved Ming Dynasty high-rise house, to feel the fragrance of books and ancient charm.
3. Take a group of classical architectural blockbusters
    - Time: On a clear morning or afternoon, the light can fully show the three-dimensionality and color of the building.
    - Location: Hui School Complex (Jixian Fang), next to the palace wall of the red wall and Daiwa, under the Fulin Tower.
    - Clothing: Hanfu, cheongsam or plain long skirts that blend well with the background.
4. Find a piece of field archaeological traces
    - Experience: Visit the archaeological site exhibition hall and see with your own eyes the real archaeological exploration and stratigraphic profile.
    - Stroll: Take a walk on the ridges of the core reserve, imagine the thousand-year-old civilization sleeping beneath your feet, and feel the artistic conception of "living protection".
5. Taste the flavor of Songjiang Benbang
    - Choice in the park: There are many restaurants in the scenic area, such as Zuihui Huang, where you can taste exquisite local cuisine or Shanghai flavors.
    - Local recommendations: Local restaurants in Songjiang Old Town, you can try classic local dishes such as braised lamb and grass head circles, which are light and delicious.

Suggested tour routes
One-day "in-depth roots" tour (classic recommendation):
Enter the park at 9:30 am (enter from the Suzaku Gate)→ Visit the Bone Needle Square and see the exterior view of the Fulin Tower → Visit the Guangfulin Cultural Exhibition Hall (Underwater Museum) (about 1.5 hours) → Stroll through the Hui school building complex (Jixian Fang) and take photos → Have lunch at the restaurant or tea room in the scenic area.
Afternoon → Visit the Archaeological Site Exhibition Hall (about 40 minutes) → Go to Zhiye Zen Temple and Sanyuan Temple to pray for blessings → Stroll through the fields and lakeshores of the core reserve and enjoy a quiet time → Visit Duoyun Academy → End the trip at about 16:30 and return calmly.
IntoTravelChina tip: This tour covers the essence of the ruins and has a soothing pace. We can book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues and provide detailed tour maps and historical and cultural background explanations.

Two-day "Songjiang Roaming" link (leisure choice):
Day 1: Visit the Guangfulin Cultural Site in the morning (same as above). In the afternoon, head to the Chenshan Botanical Garden, just a few kilometers away, to enjoy the rich botanical landscape and pit garden. Stay at a specialty hotel in Songjiang New Town or Thames Town in the evening.
Day 2: Visit the British town of Thames in the morning, take photos and visit the Songjiang Art Museum. In the afternoon, you can choose to go to Sheshan National Forest Park to climb high and look far away, or visit Shanghai Happy Valley for happy time before returning.
IntoTravelChina Advantages: We can book tickets for Guangfulin and surrounding attractions in one stop, arrange comfortable hotel and point-to-point transportation, and design the most convenient tour route to make your trip to Songjiang easy and fulfilling.

> Professional guides: IntoTravelChina can provide you with a private customized itinerary, including an exclusive guide, transportation and activity arrangements, so that you can have a worry-free trip. >> [Consult Customization Now]

How to Get There: A Seamless Guide
The Guangfulin site is located in the Songjiang University Town area and has convenient public transportation.
- Subway: Take Shanghai Metro Line 9 to "Songjiang University Town" station, exit from Exit 3, transfer to Songjiang No. 15 bus, or take a taxi (about 10 minutes) to the scenic spot Suzaku Gate.
- By car: Navigate to "Guangfulin Cultural Site - Suzaku Gate" or "Lane 3260 of Guangfulin Road". There is a parking lot in the scenic area, and parking spaces may be tight on holidays, so it is recommended to arrive early.
- High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to "Songjiang South Station", take a taxi to the scenic spot after exiting the station, about 20 minutes by car.

Best time to visit
Guangfulin is suitable for all seasons, but spring and autumn (March-May, September to November) have the most comfortable climate and the best scenery.
- Spring and Autumn Golden Season: The weather is pleasant, the flowers bloom in the spring garden, and the rice fields in the core reserve in autumn are golden and the sky is high and the clouds are light, making it an excellent time for sightseeing and photography.
- Summer: Shaded by trees, but pay attention to sun protection and mosquito protection. The underwater museum is cool and comfortable, making it a good place to escape the heat and study.
- Winter: Relatively few tourists and peaceful garden views. If it snows, the ancient buildings are wrapped in silver, which has a unique charm, but you need to pay attention to keeping warm.

Practical information and tips
- Admission: Admission to the Heritage Park is free. The internal exhibition hall is charged separately, mainly including: Guangfulin Cultural Exhibition Hall (Underwater Museum) is about 30 yuan, the archaeological site exhibition hall is about 30 yuan, and other small exhibition halls such as the ceramics museum and wood art hall are about 5 yuan.
- Opening hours: Usually 9:00-17:00 (the exhibition hall closes at 16:30), the museum may be closed for maintenance on Mondays, it is recommended to check the official website or official channels before traveling.
- Tour duration: It is recommended to reserve 4-6 hours to visit the main pavilions and attractions at your leisure.
- Dining: There are several restaurants, cafes, and food stalls in the park, offering a wide range of options from light meals to full meals. You can also choose to go to Songjiang University Town or Songjiang Old Town for dinner.

IntoTravelChina Service Suggestions:
We can check the latest opening hours and ticketing policies in advance, and book e-tickets for all exhibition halls on your behalf, saving you time queuing for tickets on site. At the same time, we can recommend the most suitable explanation services or experience activities based on your interests to make your roots journey deeper. >> [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

Guangfulin is the starting point, not the end, of exploring Shanghai's profound historical and cultural heritage. You can easily connect it with other high-quality attractions to plan an enriching trip to southwest Shanghai.

- Songjiang Humanities One-Day Loop: Guangfulin Cultural Site (Exploring the Roots of Shanghai) → Chenshan Botanical Garden (Enjoying the Beauty of Nature) → Thames Town (Enjoying Exotic Customs). This route is compact and diverse, offering a sense of history, nature and exoticism in one day.
- Shanghai Cultural Traceability Two-Day Tour:
    Day 1: Guangfulin Cultural Site → Songjiang Fangta Garden (visit the ancient pagoda of the Tang and Song dynasties) → Stay in Songjiang.
Day 2: Go to Qingpu District to visit the "Source of Shanghai" Songze Site Museum (see the earliest human footprints in Shanghai) → Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (visit Jiangnan Water Town). This is a complete civilization exploration journey from "root" to "source".
- Sheshan Resort and Leisure Line: Combining Guangfulin with Sheshan National Forest Park, Shanghai Happy Valley, Yuehu Sculpture Park, etc., it is suitable for family travel, taking into account culture, education and leisure and entertainment. >>Contact us to customize the above related itinerary

The story of Guangfulin is the deepest buried background in Shanghai, an international metropolis, and a grand narrative about the inheritance, integration and innovation of civilization. IntoTravelChina focuses on creating a deep, warm, and worry-free Chinese cultural travel experience. Our travel experts can help you:
- Tailor-made itinerary: Design the perfect route to include Guangfulim and the attractions around Songjiang based on your different preferences for history, architecture, or leisure.
- One-stop service: Get all exhibition hall tickets, special explanations, and transportation between the city and the scenic spot.
- Exclusive Experiences: Arrange explanations of underwater museums during closed hours, archaeology-related parent-child experience activities, guide to the best photo spots, etc.

Let your trip to Guangfulin be not only a walk away, but also an immersive learning experience in dialogue with 6,000 years of civilization.
> Start planning your journey today
> Welcome to contact our professional travel consultants, we will provide you with an exclusive itinerary plan and quotation within 24 hours. >> [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]