Summer nights in Shanghai are alive with surprises, from glowing trails to secret animal encounters.

Here’s the last part of our night tour picks—wrap up your summer evenings with unforgettable memories.

Chenshan Botanical Garden: treasure hunts for junior scientists

At the Chenshan Botanical Garden, summer evenings become immersive adventures that spark curiosity and exploration in young minds.

In the Chenshan Magical Night program, children aged 7 to 12 take on the role of junior botanists, exploring nature with flashlights, observation notebooks and puzzle maps in hand. Activities include riding a garden train, identifying nocturnal plants and insects, and searching for fireflies among trees and shrubs.

Led by science educators, this treasure hunt-style event blends fun and learning in a tranquil, scenic environment. Children discover how plants behave at night, observe changes in leaf positions and uncover how light affects insect behavior – all while enjoying the golden glow of sunset and the symphony of night creatures in the background.

Tel: 1366-1539-536 (9am-6pm)

Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District

松江区辰花公路3888号

Shanghai Greenhouse: light, music & culture by night

Launched on July 26, the Shanghai Greenhouse at Expo Culture Park is embracing night tourism with a dazzling lineup of events.

The main attraction is a night-time light show tour, where visitors explore exotic plant species under a canopy of creative lighting and starlight. A standard greenhouse ticket includes access, and a joint pass with the Centre d’Art Rodin adds an artful twist to the experience.

The cultural offerings continue with the Shenyuan Garden night tour, which invites visitors to stroll through a lantern-lit classical Jiangnan-style garden. The greenhouse plaza hosts outdoor music performances, while the culture park’s Starry Lawn becomes an open-air cinema complete with picnic setups and cozy lighting.

Meanwhile, a Rodin Night Market offers handmade goods, local snacks and performances that create a lively community atmosphere. Free Saturday night shuttles connect key attractions, and services like 24-hour parking and extended restroom hours ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit for everyone.

Tickets can be purchased via the Shanghai Expo Culture Park’s WeChat mini-program “上海世博文化公园.”

Address: 100 Jiming Rd, Pudong New Area

浦东新区济明路100号

Yuyuan Garden: a journey through light and heritage

This summer, the historic Yuyuan Garden unveils its brand-new night tour experience, officially opening on August 8.

As one of Shanghai’s most iconic classical gardens with over 450 years of history, Yuyuan transforms after dark into a poetic dreamscape where tradition meets technology.

Guests will be immersed in a magical atmosphere with five themed projection mapping shows, bringing ancient pavilions, winding corridors and tranquil ponds to life through dynamic light and shadow.

Beyond the visual spectacle, visitors can also enjoy interactive cultural games, such as treasure hunts and folklore-inspired activities, adding a playful and educational twist to the evening stroll.

Early-bird tickets are priced at 95 yuan (US$13.2) and grant entry on August 5 and 6, including a guided tour. Standard weekday tickets (Tuesday & Wednesday) are 188 yuan for adults and 150 yuan for eligible concessions, while weekend and holiday tickets are 218 yuan for adults and 175 yuan for concessions.

The tour runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday evenings (closed on Mondays and Thursdays), inviting both locals and visitors to rediscover the ancient garden under the stars – where centuries-old elegance shines with renewed brilliance.

Tickets can be purchased via Yuyuan Garden’s WeChat account “上海豫园.”

Address: 279 Yuyuan Old Street, Huangpu District

黄浦区豫园老街279号

Full guide:[Hai Lights] Unforgettable summer night tours in Shanghai parks - City News Service