Shanghai's 'No. 0001' Ginkgo Garden Closes for Major Renovation

The Shanghai Millennial Ginkgo Garden (Ancient Tree Park), home to the city's iconic "No. 0001" ancient ginkgo tree, has closed for renovation and is currently undergoing upgrades.

Construction on building foundations and perimeter walls is largely complete, with the overall structure beginning to take shape and all projects progressing in an orderly manner.

According to Yuan Chunlei from the Park and Green Space Section of the Jiading District Landscaping Management Office, the renovation project began in August this year and is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.

The upgrades include adjusting the park layout, strengthening ancient tree protection, and constructing new recreation, service and management buildings.

The renovation will not only provide more systematic protection for the "No. 0001" ginkgo tree but also create more diverse viewing angles and ample rest areas for visitors.

The design draws inspiration from "Du Fu's Poems in 100 Paintings," an album by modern Jiading artist Lu Yanshao.

The park will focus on "Tang Dynasty elegance and poetic landscaping" and will have eight themed attractions divided into three areas: ancient tree viewing, cultural experiences and leisure activities, all designed to create a garden where "poetry is in the painting, and painting is in the scenery."

For the "No. 0001" tree, the project has not only expanded its protection area but also added infrared protection devices to enable round-the-clock monitoring of its growing environment.

In terms of service functions and landscape enhancement, the park will add approximately 800 square meters of recreation and service buildings, including a visitor center and a ginkgo science and cultural creation space.