SheShan Mountain Forest Park and Catholic Cathedral, Shanghai

In retrospect it wasn’t a very wise decision to go to Sheshan Forest Park on a public holiday but the sun was shining and it was warm and I was kicking my heels. A friend had told me early that day, over coffee, that there was a Catholic church on a mountain and I couldn’t quite believe it so, with his directions, I got onto line 9 and headed south west out of the city. 

My plan was to leave the metro at Sheshan station and then get a
local bus to the forest park. However when I got to the bus stop there
were hundreds of people there and each time a bus rolled up there was
the predictable pushing frenzy in order to get on.

It
didn’t matter who you were, how old, how frail, how many children were
in tow, everyone was elbowed and shoved and pushed by the throng
desperate to get on board.

So I waited a while in the hope that the crowds would die down but of
course, metro trains kept spewing out hundreds more passengers who
swelled the bus crowds once more.

There were a handful
of illegal taxis offering people a ride there for 10rmb each in a shared
car of 4 people. I decided not to risk it and take my chances with the
bus crowds. I positioned myself where I thought the next bus would
disgorge its load and then I pushed until I got on board.

The fare was
10p and after 20 minutes I squeezed my way to the door and leapt out.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was no entry fee for the park, just pick up a free ticket and zap yourself through the barriers (not sure this is always the case). 

The going was slow all the way up the hill (not big enough to call it a mountain) but it was worth it to get to the cathedral at the top. What a surprising find. There was a queue to get in which I duly joined and waited my turn.

I wanted to see if it had stained glass and was curious to see whether it was the same as churches at home. On seeing me, the only foreigner in the queue, the ‘bouncer’ asked me whether I was Catholic – well I guess ed that’s what he meant when he crossed himself as Catholics are fond of doing. I lied and said I was and he let me in immediately.

This was the first
time I have ever been in a church in Shanghai and the first time I have
been in a Catholic church in my life. It wasn’t quite Wells Cathedral
but it was large and have filled with a congregation and half with
observers. 

I only sat down for 5 minutes before I got bored with listening to Chinese and left. The walk down the hill was pleasant and overall, for a cheap day out you can’t beat Sheshan on a sunny day. Just don’t pick a public holiday!