Top Attractions
Dongping National Forest Park is the largest人造平原森林 (man-made plain forest) in eastern China and the crown jewel of Chongming Island's ecotourism offerings. Spanning over 3,500 mu (approximately 233 hectares) in the island's central region, the park was established in 1959 when locals began planting water fir (metasequoia), ginkgo, camphor, and other tree species on former farmland. Today, it is a mature forest ecosystem with over 2 million trees, including towering metasequoia that reach heights of over 20 meters, creating a cathedral-like canopy that filters sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The park's transformation from agricultural land to dense forest is one of China's most impressive afforestation achievements.
The park offers an extensive network of trails winding through different forest zones, each with its own character. The Metasequoia Avenue is the most iconic — a straight, kilometer-long path flanked by rows of ancient-feeling water firs that create a dramatic tunnel of green. A cycling path circles the park's perimeter, and bicycle rentals are available for visitors who prefer two wheels to walking. A small lake in the center offers paddle boats and surrounded by weeping willows. During spring, wildflowers carpet the forest understory, while autumn transforms the ginkgo trees into rivers of gold. The park is also home to deer, peacocks, and numerous bird species, adding wildlife encounters to the forest experience. Children's play areas, a campsite, and barbecue zones make it a popular family destination.
Dongping Forest Park serves as Chongming's tourism hub and is often the first stop for island visitors. The park has been significantly upgraded in recent years with improved facilities including a visitor center, multiple dining options, and clean restrooms. Special events include the Chongming Forest Festival in spring and cycling competitions. The park's flat terrain and well-maintained paths make it accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels. For the best experience, arrive early in the morning when mist hangs among the trees and bird songs fill the air — the atmosphere is genuinely magical and a world away from Shanghai's urban intensity. The park's cool microclimate makes it a welcome summer escape, with temperatures typically 3–5°C lower than the city.
Chongming Wetland Park, officially known as Xisha Wetland Park, is a 4,500-mu (300-hectare) ecological reserve along the island's western shoreline where the Yangtze River's freshwater meets the tidal forces of the East China Sea. The park preserves one of the largest and most intact estuarine wetland ecosystems in the Shanghai region, featuring tidal mudflats, reed marshes, shallow lagoons, and willow-poplar woodlands. Recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, the park plays a critical role in flood control, water purification, and as a habitat for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
The park's centerpiece is an extensive wooden boardwalk system that stretches for over 7 kilometers through the wetland, allowing visitors to explore the fragile ecosystem without damaging it. The boardwalk winds through dense reed beds that can grow over two meters tall, opens onto viewing platforms overlooking tidal channels, and passes through small groves of willow and poplar trees. The tidal nature of the wetland means the landscape changes dramatically throughout the day — at low tide, vast mudflats are exposed where fiddler crabs and mudskaters scurry about; at high tide, water fills the channels and the reeds appear to float. The park is particularly stunning at sunset, when golden light transforms the reed sea into a shimmering expanse.
Wildlife is abundant and easily observable. Over 150 bird species have been recorded in the park, including egrets, herons, kingfishers, and during migration season, rare visitors like the Saunders's gull and black-faced spoonbill. The park's tidal crab population supports a visible and entertaining ecosystem — watch for hundreds of small crabs retreating into their burrows as you walk past. The park includes an educational center with exhibits about wetland ecology and the Yangtze estuary environment. Photography enthusiasts will find endless subjects, from macro shots of wetland insects to sweeping landscape panoramas of the reed marshes stretching to the horizon. The park is best visited during autumn (October–November) when the reeds turn golden-brown and migratory bird numbers peak.
Dongtan Bird Reserve is one of the most important wetland bird habitats in the world, recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar site of global significance. Located at the eastern tip of Chongming Island where the Yangtze River delta opens into the East China Sea, the reserve encompasses over 24,000 hectares of tidal flats, reed beds, salt marshes, and shallow coastal waters. This vast estuarine ecosystem sits squarely along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway — one of the world's great bird migration corridors — and provides critical stopover habitat for millions of migratory birds traveling between their breeding grounds in Siberia and wintering areas in Southeast Asia and Australia.
The reserve's bird diversity is staggering. Over 290 bird species have been recorded, including 22 species classified as globally threatened. The star attraction is the Siberian crane — one of the world's rarest birds — which uses Dongtan as a critical stopover during its annual migration. Other notable species include the black-faced spoonbill, Saunders's gull, Oriental stork, and the endangered reed parrotbill. During peak migration periods in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), flocks of thousands of birds can be observed simultaneously, including large concentrations of shorebirds, ducks, geese, and raptors. The reserve's viewing areas include observation towers, telescopes, and guided platforms where visitors can watch birds without disturbing them.
Visiting Dongtan is both an educational and deeply moving experience. The visitor center provides detailed information about the reserve's ecology, conservation programs, and the migratory birds that depend on this habitat. A network of wooden walkways and trails allows visitors to explore the tidal flat environment safely. The landscape itself is hauntingly beautiful — endless expanses of reeds swaying in the wind, mudflats stretching to the horizon, and the vast sky above dotted with wheeling flocks. The reserve is at its most dramatic at dawn and dusk, when bird activity peaks and the low-angle light creates extraordinary photographic conditions. Professional bird guides can be arranged in advance for serious birdwatchers. The reserve is a powerful reminder of the importance of wetland conservation and Shanghai's unexpected natural heritage.
Chongming Academy (崇明学宫), also known as the Chongming Confucian Temple, is the largest and best-preserved Confucian academy complex in the Shanghai region and a National Key Cultural Heritage Site. Founded in 1327 during the Yuan Dynasty, the academy served for nearly seven centuries as the center of Confucian education on Chongming Island, where generations of scholars prepared for the imperial examinations. The current buildings primarily date from the Qing Dynasty (rebuilt in 1684 and renovated subsequently), making the complex one of the oldest standing structures in the greater Shanghai area. Its survival through wars, floods, and the tumult of the twentieth century is remarkable.
The academy complex follows the traditional Confucian architectural layout along a strict north-south axis, with successive courtyards leading to the main hall. Key structures include the Lingxing Gate (the ornamental entrance), the Dacheng Hall (the main worship hall housing a statue of Confucius), the Minglun Hall (lecture hall), and the Chongsheng Shrine. The architecture is classical Jiangnan style — whitewashed walls, dark wood columns, sweeping gray-tiled roofs with upturned eaves, and elaborate wood carvings depicting scenes from Confucian texts. Stone steles throughout the complex record the academy's history and the names of successful examination candidates. A centuries-old ginkgo tree in the main courtyard provides spectacular golden foliage in autumn.
Today, the academy also houses the Chongming Museum, which documents the island's fascinating history as a Yangtze delta settlement — from its formation through sediment deposition to its role in maritime trade, agriculture, and defense. Exhibits include ancient pottery, Ming Dynasty ship models, traditional agricultural tools, and artifacts from the island's fishing communities. The museum provides excellent context for understanding Chongming's unique culture, which differs markedly from mainland Shanghai. The academy complex is peaceful and rarely crowded, allowing visitors to appreciate the architecture and exhibits at leisure. The surrounding old town area of Chengqiao (崇明县城桥镇) retains some traditional streets and local eateries serving Chongming specialties. For visitors interested in Chinese history and traditional architecture, Chongming Academy is one of the most rewarding cultural sites in the greater Shanghai region.
Yingdong Village is a model eco-village on Chongming Island that represents a remarkable story of community-driven land reclamation and sustainable rural development. Located on the island's eastern coast near Dongtan, the village was founded in 1985 when a group of pioneering farmers set out to reclaim land from the Yangtze's tidal mudflats — literally creating farmland from the sea. Over three decades, through backbreaking labor and ingenuity, these settlers transformed barren tidal flats into fertile fields, fish ponds, and a thriving agricultural community. The village's name "Yingdong" combines "Ying" (from Yingzhou, the ancient name for Chongming) and "Dong" (east), reflecting both heritage and geography.
Today, Yingdong Village is a showcase of rural ecotourism and sustainable living. The village retains its pastoral character with neat rows of farmhouses surrounded by fish ponds, vegetable gardens, and rice paddies. Visitors can experience authentic rural life through activities including fishing, crab catching (Chongming's hairy crabs are famous throughout China), fruit picking, and rice planting during the growing season. The village's eco-lodge provides comfortable accommodation in traditional-style buildings, and several farm-to-table restaurants serve dishes made from locally grown organic ingredients. The surrounding landscape — flat farmland stretching to the horizon, punctuated by wind turbines and the distant glint of water — offers a peacefulness almost impossible to find in urban Shanghai.
Yingdong Village has received numerous national awards for its ecological achievements and has been designated as a "Beautiful Countryside" demonstration village. The village's success story is a powerful counter-narrative to China's rapid urbanization, showing how rural communities can prosper while maintaining environmental stewardship. For visitors, it offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from city life and experience a slower, more grounded pace. The village is particularly appealing to families with children, who can learn about agriculture, see where their food comes from, and play in natural surroundings. Cycling paths connect Yingdong to nearby Dongtan, creating an opportunity to combine cultural and nature experiences. The community's warmth and authenticity make Yingdong one of Chongming's most memorable destinations.
Xisha Wetland and Mingzhu Lake Scenic Area form a combined 8-square-kilometer eco-tourism destination on Chongming Island's western coast, offering a complementary nature experience to Dongtan on the eastern shore. The Xisha (West Sand) Wetland section features pristine tidal marshes, reed-covered islands, and coastal woodlands where the Yangtze's freshwater meets the estuarine tides. What distinguishes Xisha from other Chongming wetlands is its relative youth — the western shoreline is still actively accreting (growing) as the Yangtze deposits sediment, making it a dynamic, ever-changing landscape. The wetland's "sponge" function absorbs and filters tidal waters, creating a remarkably clean ecosystem that supports rich biodiversity.
The Mingzhu (Bright Pearl) Lake is a 6,000-mu freshwater lake formed from former fish ponds and tidal channels, now transformed into a recreational centerpiece with a 7-kilometer cycling and walking path encircling its shores. The lake is home to a large population of wild fish, turtles, and waterfowl, and fishing is a popular activity. A striking feature of the area is the cable-stayed suspension bridge spanning a narrow section of the wetland, offering panoramic views of the reed marshes and water channels below. The wetland's signature landscape feature is its reed maze — dense reed beds through which narrow water channels wind, navigable by small boats during summer and autumn. The "reed sea" in full golden bloom during October and November is one of Chongming's most photographed natural spectacles.
The combined scenic area has been developed with care to balance tourism with conservation. Well-maintained boardwalks, observation decks, and bird-watching hides provide excellent access while minimizing ecological impact. An ecological science education center offers interactive exhibits about wetland formation, estuarine ecology, and the Yangtze River delta. Activities include kayaking, cycling, fishing, and seasonal fruit picking at adjacent orchards. The area's natural setting also makes it popular for photography, painting, and simply finding peace. Xisha's proximity to the Yangtze Bridge approach road makes it one of the first Chongming attractions visitors encounter when driving from Shanghai. The sunset views across Mingzhu Lake, with the reed marshes silhouetted against the evening sky, provide a perfect ending to a day of island exploration.
Chongming Island's network of organic and ecological farms represents one of China's most ambitious sustainable agriculture initiatives, transforming the island into a "green food pantry" for the Shanghai metropolitan region. The island's unique environment — surrounded by water, free from heavy industrial pollution, and enriched by Yangtze River alluvial soil — provides ideal conditions for organic farming. Over recent decades, Chongming has systematically reduced chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, earning national recognition as an "ecological island" and achieving organic certification for thousands of hectares of farmland. The farms produce a diverse range of products: organic rice, vegetables, fruits, free-range poultry, and the island's celebrated hairy crabs (崇明老毛蟹).
Several farms have opened their doors to visitors, creating immersive agritourism experiences that connect urban consumers with the source of their food. Among the most popular are the organic vegetable farms where visitors can harvest their own produce, rice farms where traditional planting and harvesting methods are demonstrated, and crab farms where guests can catch, cook, and eat their own Chongming hairy crabs — a delicacy prized throughout China for their rich roe and sweet meat. Fruit orchards offer seasonal picking of strawberries (spring), watermelons (summer), oranges and persimmons (autumn). Many farms operate farm-to-table restaurants serving meals prepared exclusively from ingredients grown on-site, providing a freshness and flavor difficult to find in city restaurants.
The eco-farm experience offers something increasingly rare: a genuine connection to the land and the rhythms of agricultural life. Visitors can stay overnight in renovated farmhouses or purpose-built eco-lodges, waking to roosters and the sounds of rural life. Educational programs teach children about sustainable farming, composting, and food systems. Some farms offer workshops on traditional crafts, cooking classes using seasonal ingredients, and guided nature walks through adjacent farmland and wetland areas. The farms also play an important economic role, providing Chongming residents with viable livelihoods that don't require leaving the island for city jobs. For Shanghai residents seeking respite from urban pressures, a day or weekend at a Chongming eco farm offers therapeutic simplicity — fresh air, honest food, and the restorative power of the countryside.