Public parks are oases of calm in modern Shanghai. Open, healing, and free for all, they are where people retreat to after a hard day’s work, an argument, or a breakup. They provide the space to calm the body and mind, escape the bustle of the city, and be in the moment — even if it’s just for a few minutes.

After Shanghai emerged from a two-month lockdown earlier this year, the city’s public parks were where people rushed back to, for fresh air, freedom, and human connection.

In this series, Sixth Tone captures the daily rhythm of life in three of Shanghai’s parks. The second episode follows a young couple who are unable to keep pets at home, but like to feed the strays at Jing’an Park.

Producer: Zhang Liting; videographer: Fu Beimeng; editor: Xu Zhenyuan; motion graphics: Fu Xiaofan.

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