Water lilies in full bloom
The "Quiet World of Water Lilies" exhibition has opened at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District, featuring 280 water lily varieties in seven themed waterside zones.
Running through September 20, the show includes 160 tropical and 120 hardy varieties.
The event highlights the garden's long‑term germplasm collection and breeding research. Tens of thousands of water lily plants bloom across ponds and lakes. Combining ornamental appeal, popular‑science value and ecological benefits, the exhibition presents a floral feast that merges natural romance with botanical innovation.
Water lilies present an enchanting picture.
Five newly developed home‑bred water lily varieties make their debut at the exhibition.
The seven exhibition zones stretch along the garden's water system, and each zone showcases different aspects of water lily beauty, from individual blooms to large‑scale group plantings and miniature varieties.
Contrasting‑color planting containers display water lilies alongside lotus and other aquatic plants to illustrate water lily history. A 600‑meter belt with more than 100 varieties of hardy water lilies in red, orange, yellow, pink and white is featured, while the "Chenshan Eye" circular pond in the peony garden presents miniature water lily varieties, a popular photo spot for visitors.
A bird's eye view of the garden
A water lily in full bloom
Mine‑Pit Mirror Lake serves as the main color‑display area, with tropical water lilies arranged in a gradient spectrum of white, blue, purple, pink and yellow. The winding ecological stream area recreates a Monet‑style wild waterside landscape. The East Lake offers visitors boat access to view water lily and lotus communities, demonstrating the water‑purification and wildlife‑habitat functions of aquatic vegetation. The aquatic plant zone features a 300‑meter lotus corridor with sweeping views of Chenshan Hill.
The show also brings award‑winning international water lily and lotus cultivars.
A series of public programs runs alongside the flower show for all age groups. These include half‑day aquatic plant study tours, a team‑based water sports and knowledge challenge, night‑time insect‑observation tours for families, and traditional Jiangnan sizhu (string and wind music) performances scheduled for mid‑September.
Water lilies in full bloom
A bird's eye view of the water lily pond
If you go
Venue: Chenshan Botanic Garden 辰山植物园
Opening hours: Through September 20, 8am-5:30pm
Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District 松江区辰花公路3888号
A tranquil picture of the garden
Water lilies offer a poetic picture.
2026-09-08
