Suna in Wonderland

Shanghai is a great city. There is nothing unavailable. But one thing i miss from Shanghai is peaceful nature i used to enjoy in Sweden. So just to get out of the busy city, Joop and I decided to search for nature. ‘Chongming Island-崇明县’

Chongming Island is 3rd largest island in China, governed by Shanghai city. Ferry was used to be the only option of getting to the island but now due to the EXPO, since 2009 there is bridge-tunnel between island and Shanghai. Public bus runs everyday.  (20RMB per head)

However, we decided to take a ferry thinking that it would be more romantic and gives real feeling of  going to the island. There are several ports but one we took was Wusong Port. (Add: No.100, Songpu Road, Baoshan District// Tel: 021-56671202/ 021-56671205/021-56673346- no English  service)

At Wusong Port

Port is located near Songbin metro station (Line 3) and from there; taxi can take you to the port straight. (12RMB- or you can also walk 10-15 mins) There were only 2 ferry going to Chongming Island on that day, which were 7:20 AM (1hour+/16RMB per head) and 8: 20AM (2 hour+/ 12RMB) but there was no ferry coming back to shanghai.

Arriving foggy Chongming Island  my first impression was not so good. All the taxi drivers, carriage drivers, hēichē(Un registered taxi) driver were coming towards to get us. They even start physically fight in front of us. Hearing that most popular place in Chongming Island is Dongping National forest Park( 东平国家森林公园), we quickly got taxi to get out of hectic scene.

Taking taxi in Chongming island is SUPER EXPENSIVE!. Beginning price is cheaper (10RMB) than Shanghai(12RMB) but meter machine goes up crazy. (now i realized, Taxi driver might have tricked the machine) From the Chongming port to Dongping park, there is direct line public bus which only cost 4RMB.

At Dongping National Forest Park (Enterence -70RMB per person)

The park was really nice. Just that it would have been perfect picnic if we have prepared sandwich, wine, blanket, book, some fruit in advance. (not much restaurants is around this area) As this park is largest man planted forest in Eastern China, size is enormous. There are all sorts of different trees, birds, flowers and insects in the park. I specially like the fact that, due to it’s huge size i can enjoy the nature without disturbed by other people.

Not only peaceful nature, but also many outdoor activity is available in the park

Relaxing @ Coffee Bar

Another interesting place was BBQ place. Joop keep saying he smells BBQ but I thought he is too hungry. Both starving, we were heading to main entrance to have lunch, but we saw camping sign. Just to check out if we can use facility of camping site in future, we changed our direction and walk towards camping site. And indeed, there was camping area  as well as place to do BBQ. There were lots of youngsters eating BBQ and hving fun.

All the necessary equipment for the BBQ   can be rent (min 30RMB) meats, vegetables and other BBQ food can be bought in the site. With 66RMB we enjoyed nice spontaneous BBQ.

With satisfied stomach, we decided to head back to Shanghai. Arriving Shanghai,Seeing people everywhere packed and noise of the car’s honks and construction sounds, I felt like I have entered different world. and seems  my trip to Chongming Island has already fell in to reminiscence category.

It was nice to have break from the city and enjoy nature. (Although it was half man made nature) I never realized that I missed nature this much until I came here today. Now that i know what to prepare next time, coming summer i look forward to have perfect picnic @ Chongming Island.