Found on the estuary of Yangtze River, Chongming Island is the 3rd largest island in China. Being the largest alluvial island at the estuary of a river and also the biggest sand island on the planet, Chongming Island is likewise well-known as “Door to the Yangtze River, Yingzhou Island (a celestial mountain in fairytale of old China) in the East China Sea”.
The main attractions on Chongming Island are:
- Chongming Academy – one of the only old Confucian academies in Shanghai
- Dongping National Forest Park – biggest manufactured forest in Eastern China with whole lots to do
- Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Area – clouds of birds as well as fantastic fish and shellfish
- Jin’ao Mountain – a Buddhist site with East-China-garden-style landscaping
Chongming Island’s Background and also Geography
Chongming Island has actually been in presence for greater than 1,300 years. Now, it covers a location of 1,267 square kilometers (489 square miles), with a population of 7000,000.
The entire island is level in terms of surface, with fertile soil, exuberant woodlands and abundant sources. Therefore, Chongming Island has actually come to be a well-known area where the cultivation of rice and the reproduction of fish grow.
East of Chongming Island is the East China Sea, while in the south, Chongming Island faces Pudong brand-new area, Baoshan Area in Shanghai and Taicang City in Jiangsu District throughout the river. Divided by water, Haimen City and also Qidong City of Jiangsu District are to the north of Chongming Island.
Next To Chongming Island, there are another 2 islands in the Yangtze Estuary: Hengsha Island and also Changxing Island. The formation of Chongming Island is carefully gotten in touch with the development of the estuary of Yangtze River.
Exactly how to Get There:
It is only a one-hour drive from the center of Shanghai to Chongming Island thanks to the Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel.Tourists can most likely to
Shanghai Science & Innovation Gallery, North Zhongshan Road initially. Ships from Gonghexin Road Jetty, Baoyang Road Jetty, Wusong Wharf as well as Shidongkou Jetty all go to Nanmen Port of Chongming Island.
Chongming Gallery
Chongming Academy is just one of the only existing academies in Shanghai. Chongming Academy today is also called Chongming Museum. It is a city-level heritage conservation unit.
At the entrance there are 2 decorated archways containing 2 stone columns, simple and austere. There are 8 personalities on them, stating “De Pei Tian Di, Dao Guan Gu Jin” (德配天地道贯古今, suggesting ‘principles for paradise as well as planet; doctrines for the past as well as now’).
In front of the gate, there are two maidenhair trees, both with a background of 350 years. They are so thick that 3 individuals need to get each other’s arms around to round the tree. Two large stone lions are securing at the gate, dignified.
Inside Congming Academy
Confucius TempleHall of Great Achievement
The biggest building in Chongming Academy is Dacheng Dian (大成殿 ‘Hall of Great Achievement’). Its function resembles the Daxiaongbao Dian (大雄宝殿 ‘the Great Buddha’s Hall’) in the holy places. This is where Confucius’ statue is enshrined.
Dong Wu (‘ The East Spaces’ at the sides of or encountering the principal areas) and also West Wu (‘The West Areas’) were the dorms of the 72 superior adherents.
Today ‘Hall of Great Achievement’ is momentarily made use of as the exhibition room of ancient ships. Dong Wu is the exhibition room for photos as well as stories of some celebrities in Chongming, and some old products uncovered in Chongming. And Also the West Areas holds the Huang Pimo art gallery.
There are 3 parts of the exhibition in the museum, consisting of “The Development and also Advancement of Chongming Island”, “Historic as well as Cultural Relics”, and “Natural History”. These three components present the long history and rich social heritage of Chongming Island systematically.
Other Buildings
An additional two buildings behind Da Cheng Dian (Hall of Great Achievement) are exhibition halls of folk-customs in Chongming. Besides, there are styles like palace wall surfaces determining around 25 kilometres or 16 miles (ten thousand ren an ancient action of size equal to 7 or eight chi, regarding 2.33 meters to 2.67 meters) consisting of Lingxing Entrance, Dengyun Bridge, Jimen Gateway, Minghuan Temple, Chongsheng Temple, as well as Zunjing Structure. These are all unspoiled styles of the Ming Dynasty (1368– 1644).
Before their gate, there are five 18-meter tall maidenhair trees, all having a background of 377 years. They are in harmony with the 2 uniquely-designed wooden as well as rock memorial arches, making a solid sense of ancient beauty.
Just how to Arrive:
Address: 696 Aoshan Road
Bus after that ferry: Take the Tourist Line 5, 51, 116, 522, 728, 848, 849, or the Port Line to Wusong Port; or the Tourist Line 5, 51, 207, 508, 541, 728, the Pengjiang Line, or the Port Line to Baoyang Roadway Port.Then take a ferry to Nanmen Port of Chongming Island.
Exiting Nanmen Port of Chongming Island, continue strolling 200 to 300 meters, as well as people will see layers of old building facility. This is Chongming Academy.
Inquiries: 021-59623827
Open up: 8am– 4pm (Chongming Academy is closed on Monday).
Dongping National Park Park
Dongping National Park is the largest synthetic woodland on the plains of Eastern China. It is likewise the largest woodland park in Shanghai. It is a national 4A-level traveler attraction and agricultural site.
Dongping National Forest Park outgrew Dongping Timberland, which entered remaining in 1959. After 30 year’s growth, Dongping National Forest Park’s trees expand luxuriantly, filled with the appeals of nature.
The main centers in Dongping National park Park are the crab-shaped multi-function conference center, Woodland Bar, Woodland Rehabilitation Facility, Forest Beach Showering Location, Theme Park, Beach Volleyball Ground, Camp Base for Teenagers, Competition Field, forest hammocks, centers for bbqs and also barbecues, gardens and orchards, forest suites, the Woodland Labyrinth, windmills, and also other facilities for tasks like woodland sunbathing, searching, paintballing, forest yard skating, rock climbing, and so on.
Exactly how to Arrive:
Area: Dongping National Forest Park remains in north central Chongming Island, 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Nanmen Port (county town).
Take the Shenchong Line at North District Bus Station or the Nandong or Nanjiang Line at Chongming South Gateway Bus Terminal guide to Dongping National Forest Park.
Additionally, from Nanmen Port take the bus to Dongping National Forest Park. Taking a taxi takes around 20 minutes.
Questions: 021-59338266.
Open up: 8am– 4:30 pm.
Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Location
Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Area is a wildlife resources base at the estuary of the Yangtze River. On August 9th, 2005, Dong Tan Bird Habitat of Chongming Island was noted as a national nature reserve by the State Council.
Features
Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Area covers an area of 300 square kilometers. It is among minority habitats of particular wild birds on the planet. It has actually been stated one of the globe’s essential wetlands.
In Dong Tan there are 116 type of birds. The variety of little swans that stay in Dong Tan with the winter gets to 3,000 to 3,500. There are various other a lot more rare birds like the greater white-fronted goose, striated heron, as well as the black-faced spoonbill. Apart from theses, the variety of the migratory birds relaxing in Dong Tan on their way of migration depends on 3 million.
Recommended Activities
While valuing the birds, people can see large groups of birds flying over the skies, like substantial clouds.
The most effective time to value birds in Dong Tan remains in the morning, because the dawn over the East China Sea is one more beautiful natural view of Chongming Island. Dong Tanis the most eastern arrive at Chongming Island encountering the East China Sea.
After checking out the birds go to Chenjia Town, locate a clean local dining establishment and order a plate of fit to be tied crab and a few other fish and shellfish. The largest crab market on Chongming Island remains in Chenjia Town; it is likewise the largest crab market in China. Most crabs on the market of Shanghai originate from Chenjia Town. There are more uncommon seafoods in Chenjia Town than in various other areas, with reduced rates.
How to Get There:
Take Tourism Line 5 to Baoyang Port. Then go to Baozhen Town by ferry, and finally by road to Dong Tan though Lin Baoqian. Ferries from Wusong Port also go to Dong Tan, but there are only four ships going there every day.
Location: Dong Tan Migratory Bird Protection Area is in the east of Chongming Island. It begins from Tuanjie Sandbank and Water Gate in the south, and stretches to North Baxiao Port in the north. In the west, its boundary is the causeway which was built in 1968, and in the east it reaches 3,000 meters out to sea.
Self-driving route: central city of Chongming – Yixian Elevated Road – Tongji Road (Road A30) – Baoyang Road – Baoyang Road Port – Chekedu – Baozhen Town – South Baozhen Road – North Baozhen Road – Chenhai Road – Beichen Road – Baichen Road.
Jin’ao Mountain
Jin’ ao Mountain
Jin’ao Mountain (金鳌山) is alongside Shou’a Temple which is just one of the four ancient holy places on Chongming Island.
The landscape design of Jin’ao Hill shows the charms of South-China-style yards. Though the initial 8 well-known views of Jin’ao Hill no longer exist, sights like Qingyuan Hall, Guanyin Structure, Hanmo Forest, Zuihua Water Pavilion, Jiashan Pavilion, Black Bamboo Grove, Deyue Bridge, Shuixiang Water Pavilion, as well as Yue Yard are all beautiful, with clear water, twiggy woods, as well as winding paths.
Shou’an Temple
Shou’an Temple remains in the south of Jin’ ao Mountain. Initial integrated in the 2nd year of Chunyou (1241 A.D.), Shou’a Holy Place is the most ancient temple on Chongming Island. Shou’a Temple was once poetically explained hence:
” There are eco-friendly hills out of the eco-friendly hillsides that circle the temple, as well as structures in the clear waters that remain in the structure”.
However, due to the wars, intrusions of Japanese pirates (operating in Chinese coastal waters from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century), sackings, and so on, Shou’a Holy place no more preserves its previous glory. The Shou’a Temple existing currently was rebuilt in 1983. There is a very clever antithetical couplet (a pair of scrolls containing a poetic couplet) by Zhao Puchu that reviews
‘ Tathagata (Buddha’s name for himself) can live forever, keeping the Pure Land relaxed forever.’
( 如来无量寿 ， 净土万年安; Ru lai wu liang shou, Jingtu wan nian an.).
Aside from the grand primary hall, Daxiaongbao Dian (大雄宝殿 ‘the Great Buddha’s Hall’), Sansheng Dian (三圣殿 3 Saints Hall) and Tianwang Dian (天王殿 ‘Hall of the Celestial Kings’) have their distinct appeals also.
There are 16 statuaries of Buddha including a sculpture of Sakyamuni constructed from camphor timber, colored gold sculptures of different gods; statuaries of the future Tathagata, present Tathagata, and previous Tathagata; a sculpture of Manjushri, a statuary of Samantabhadra, and a sculpture of Avalokitesvara. Amongst them, a huge jade statuary of a lying Buddha is the largest jade reclining Buddha in Shanghai. It weighs 13 bunches, measuring 6 meters in size.
Zhenhai Tower
Even more along the west wall surface of Shou’a Holy place, individuals will certainly get to one of the most popular scenic spot on Jin’ao Hill: Zhenhai Tower (‘Tower to Soothe the Sea’). It is claimed that the previous Zhenhai Tower was integrated in the 19th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1893 ). The money utilized in the building and construction originated from the abundant family members in the neighborhood community. Zhenhai Tower gets on the high peak of Jin’ao Mountain, first integrated in the 7th year of Kangxi in the Qing Empire (1668 ).
Zhen Hai Tower (Tower to Soothe the Sea) was reconstructed in the year 1986, a nine-story tower with wood stairways. On each story, 6 little statues of Bodhisattva are preserved. The areas obtain smaller sized with each floor up. The top room is so little that it can only hold someone. Standing at the top of the tower, looking far right into the range, individuals will have a breathtaking view of Chongming Island and the East China Sea. On clear days, people can even see the sea coastlines.
Guanyin Pavillion
There as soon as was a Guanyin Pavilion (Pavilion of Avalokitesvara). Later on it transformed its name to Cangha Pavilion (the Sea Pavilion). Throughout the regime of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty, this structure was one of the 8 renowned sights of Jin’ ao Mountain. At that time it was called “Aofeng Yuan Tiao” (indicating looking from Ao Peak).
Just how to Get There:
Area: Jin’ao Mountain is located in Aoshan Village, Houjia Town, Qiaozhen District of Chongming Island.
Take Tourism Line 5 to Jin’ao Mountain.