PLANT lovers who want a change from the Shanghai Botanical Gardens have a new place to explore.

　　The Elite Villa in Qingpu District, about 10 kilometres from the Hongqiao Airport, is absolutely a park for a weekend's relaxation.

　　The 20-metre-tall linden tree, a 230-year-old laurel and Chinese flowering quince have made this place a worthwhile destination on a weekend. The total of more than 300 large arbor and shrub species in the property are said to outshine the number in the Shanghai Botanic Garden.

　　On a stroll along the 30,000-square-metre artificial lake, visitors will be greeted by evergreen trees such as camphor, green pine and magnolia trees, contrasted with green and deciduous trees such as gingko trees and Chinese scholar trees.

　　More seasonal and colourful plants such as cherry, Chinese flowering crabapple and pomegranate as well as some fragrant plants such as peppermint, thyme and rosemary dot the park.

　　Many plants in the area claim to have various medicinal functions according to Traditional Chinese Medicine - mulberry, eucommia and loquat, plum for nurturing the liver and lungs, cypresses, gingko and lily magnolia for refreshing one's mind and many others that are reputedly good for the eyes and blood circulation.

　　The steep-priced Elite Villa has already start selling and visitors are welcome to tour the area freely even if they are not potential buyers. (Star News)