Take a Deep Breath by Dianshan Lake! An Authentic Guide to Roaming Qingpu

Just arrived in Shanghai and eager to explore the "Cradle of Shanghai"?

This authentic guide to roaming Qingpu, specially tailored for international visitors, is a must - read!

Whether you're fascinated by ancient town relics or have a penchant for the charm of rural waterways, you're bound to have a fulfilling experience along this itinerary.

Let's embark on the day life of an authentic Qingpu local!

Qingpu, known as the "Cradle of Shanghai," has a long - standing history and profound cultural heritage. Ancient cultural sites, along with the stone bridges and plank roads in the old towns and villages, preserve the footprints of the earliest Shanghainese. Every mark of time is clearly visible. With its inner beauty, Qingpu, a waterside town, warmly welcomes guests.

Let's start the tour ↓

1. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Hailed as the "Venice of Shanghai," Zhujiajiao retains its millennium - old charm. You can hold an oil - paper umbrella and stroll through Kezhi Garden, the largest manor - style garden in the ancient town, to explore the allure of this unique Chinese - Western - style garden architecture. Or  you can wander through the antique buildings and discover the Zhujiajiao Daqing Post Office, delving into the past and present. Here, nine streets stretching along the river, one thousand Ming and Qing - style old houses standing by the water, and 36 ancient bridges remaining in their original state, Fangsheng Bridge, Tai'an Bridge, Ping'an Bridge... Accompanied by the soft melodies in Jiangnan teahouses, the old town exudes an elegant and ancient charm.

Address: 555 Kezhi Garden Road, Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 59240077

2. The Grand View Garden

Shanghai Grand View Garden is a reconstruction based on the scenes depicted in the classic masterpiece A Dream of Red Mansions. Because of its classical artistic architecture it has won several awards such as the National Luban Award, the local awards The Best Architectures. The Grand View Garden in Shanghai, as a showcase of the artistic acme in literary creation, represents the common concept of human beings in the spirit to return to nature. The garden created a dreamland impression of all seasons with black bricks, green tiles, crimson pavilion, carved beams, colorful stonework, and grandiose magnificence. When you step into this unbelievable passage of time and space, a familiar saying will be echoing around your ears. What a great work of art and what a grandiose garden!

Address: 701 Jinshang Rd., Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 59262089

3. Shanghai Oriental Land

Located by the picturesque Dianshan Lake, Oriental Land covers an area of 5,600 mu. It features 16 high - quality scenic spots, including the Avenue of Wisdom, the Aircraft Carrier, the Lakeside Square, the Fisherman's Wharf, the Island of Knowledge, the Moon Bay, and the Global Village, etc. There are also more than 30 activity items, such as the High - Altitude Adventure at the Honeycomb Tower, the Fun Bridge Experience, camping and barbecue, water sports, team-building training, and scientific exploration. In addition, In addition, three Resort Hotels have been built there.

Address: 6888 Huqingping Highway, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 59233000

4. Qingxi Country Park

Situated in the southwest of Qingpu District, Qingxi Country Park is rich in species resources. With a criss - cross pattern of "lakes, beaches, marshes and islands," it is the only country park in Shanghai with a wetland - themed landscape. It is home to a diverse range of aquatic organisms and is known as the natural gene bank of native aquatic species in Shanghai. Centered around Dalian Lake in Jinze Town, the park's main attractions include the Water Forest, the Heron - shadowed Chinese Fir Forest, the Qingyun Country Trail, and the Mysterious Reed Snow. Among them, more than 2,800 Chinese fir trees grow in the water, forming the "Water Forest." The best time to view the red Chinese fir trees in the water is during autumn and winter.

Address: 500 Zilian Road, Jinze Town, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 69835188

5. Shanghai Panlong Tiandi

Located in the Hongqiao Business District of Shanghai, Shanghai Panlong Tiandi integrates commerce, housing, and green spaces. With an overall planning area of over 500,000 square meters, including a commercial area of 53,000 square meters and 230,000 square meters of public green space, along with a 3 - kilometer circular trail and nearly 10,000 square meters of outdoor sports space, it creates a "Xintiandi in the Park" and explores "a new way of life."

Based on the concept of "Culture Awakening, Nature Integration, and Urban Revitalization," Panlong Tiandi revives the once - famous "Ten Scenes of Panlong," such as winding waterways, bridges over streams, and mist - covered corridor bridges, rejuvenating the thousand - year - old Jiangnan ancient town of "Panlong Town."

Address: No.8, Lane 123, Panding Road, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 64866486

Qingpu District is located in the southwest of Shanghai. With criss - crossing water systems, continuous fields and forests, and rich natural resources, it presents a typical Jiangnan water - town landscape. Here, by tasting fresh river and lake delicacies and rural dishes, you can experience the rustic charm of local customs and the fresh elegance of Jiangnan culture. Gourmet food is one of the sources of Qingpu's cultural confidence.

1. Lianyi Loquat Garden

Shanghai Lianyi Loquat Garden is not only a well-known loquat plantation in Shanghai, but also a popular vacation destination. Its innovative rural cuisines are highly popular among citizens and tourists. You can enjoy traditional spring dishes like spring rolls with three - shredded fillings and pickled vegetable cakes, as well as signature rural dishes such as loquat-flavored chicken. The chefs are highly skilled in using ingredients, and the unique wok flavor from the firewood-fired stoves allows you to savor the idyllic scenery on your taste buds.

Address: 7166 Waiqingsong Highway (near Qingsong Road), Qingpu District

Catering Reservations: 021 - 39270218 / 021 - 39270228

Accommodation Reservations: 021 - 39272277 / 021 - 59713888

2. Hemu Water Street

Hemu Water Street, a characteristic cultural street in Hemu Village, Zhaoxiang Town, is surrounded by gurgling water. The scenery along the river is delightful, the residential houses are simple and elegant, and many brand stores that match the Jiangnan water-town style have settled here. There is the elegant Neo – Chinese style teahouse Yinguang Shanfang, and private and refined restaurants such as Hetian Mushe, Lumingyan. Taking a seat in a small courtyard, you can enjoy the gentle and peaceful river view during the day, watch the river turning into a dazzling golden chain, shining brightly at night. Just stroll along Hemu Water Street, taste hidden - gem cuisine, and experience the strong flavor of daily life.

Address: 195 Hemu Road, Zhaoxiang Town, Qingpu District

3. Dream of TaoyuanRestaurant

Dream of Taoyuan, a "queue - attracting" restaurant in Suzhou, opened its first Shanghai branch in Lianhu Village, Jinze Town in May 2024. Centered around the concept of "Coming to Taoyuan to Seek Old Dreams," the restaurant tells stories about art, culture, and food to its guests. Every corner of Dream of Taoyuan Restaurant is filled with poetry and romance. The dishes here mainly include creative local - style cuisine that combines different flavors, Suzhou - style noodles, and various pastries and snacks. Each delicious dish that pleases both the eyes and the taste buds is a pursuit and vision of a better life.

Address: No.1, Xiezhuang, Lianhu Village, Jinze Town, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 59241188

After a day of strolling, you can stay at one of the following characteristic hotels or homestays in Qingpu. These accommodations are also open to foreign guests. You can make reservations on the Ctrip platform or by phone and check in at the front desk with your passport.

1. Ahn Luh ZhuJiajiao

Ahn Luh ZhuJiajiao is centered around the Ming - Dynasty Wufeng Tower and the Late - Qing - Dynasty ancient opera stage. It has 35 townhouse villas, each with a panoramic courtyard view and an independent private garden. Four of them even have private outdoor heated swimming pools. The hotel features a all - day dining restaurant that combines local characteristics, private dining rooms, a Chinese - style snack bar, a study, a spa, conference facilities, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Address: 505 ZhuHu Road, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 59237777

2. Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake

Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake faces the 130 - mu "Little West Lake in Shanghai" - Xiayang Lake. The environment is beautiful, exuding a rural vacation vibe. The hotel features restaurants such as "Fengmantang," which offers Guangdong, Cantonese, and Huaiyang cuisines, where you can taste dishes like flower - carved drunken crab and white - cut ginger - chicken. There is also the time - honored brand "Songhelou," where you can enjoy a bowl of delicious noodles with various toppings, indulging in the leisure and satisfaction on your taste buds. The hotel has an outdoor zoo with cute animals like bunnies and black swans, adding fun to family time. You can also enjoy a delicate afternoon tea or work out in the gym, play on the outdoor tennis court, or swim in the heated swimming pool to relax.

Address: 303 Qingzhou Road, Qingpu District

Tel: 021 - 22130000

3. Jingting Homestay

Jingting Homestay in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is located by the river, with an elegant courtyard. It allows you to experience the life of a water - town up close. Staying here for two days, you can enjoy the authentic Jiangnan water - town scenery outside the window during the day, and sit around the stove and make tea with your loved one At night. The warm light shines on your smiling faces, and it feels like you're in a dream, sweet and beautiful.

Address: Lane 56, Xijing Street, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Tel: 021 - 39889696

Please share this article with the foreign friends around you. We sincerely invite you to take a stroll in Qingpu together! Come to Qingpu and experience the charm of Jiangnan. Everyone is welcome to visit Qingpu often!