Editor's note: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has recently launched 82 high-quality rural tourism routes across the country to enable the public to experience the poetic and picturesque life in the countryside. Notably, Shanghai has three boutique tourism routes on the list. The following is one recommended route.

Embarking on a countryside walk in Shanghai's Qingpu district promises to be an experience of the beauty dedicated to Jiangnan, or south of the Yangtze River. Follow the footsteps of seasonal changes by strolling the streets of Qingpu New Town, wander in the ancient water towns, and admire the picturesque beauty of Jiangnan.

Location: Qingpu district, Shanghai

Route: Panlong Tiandi - Shanghai Grand View Garden - Liangyi Loquat Eco-Park - Qingxi Country Park - Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Hemu village

Transportation:

Self-driving: Take the G50 expressway, approximately 30 kilometers from downtown Shanghai, a 45-minute drive.

Public transportation: Shanghai Metro Line 17, Panlong Road Station, Middle Jiasong Road Station, Qingpu New Town Station, Zhujiajiao Station, Oriental Land Station.

Highlights of the Route:

- Spring Flower Water Fair offers ancient experiences like cuju (an ancient Chinese football game), hand-painted paper kites, and plant rubbings, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the charm of traditional culture. During Qingming Festival, there are flash mob performances themed "Odes to Spring" in Jiangnan, which invites visitors to wear traditional Chinese clothing hanfu, adorn hairpins, fly kites, and stroll through the fair.

- Dragon Boat festivities include a cultural event and night tour. By harnessing the historical charm of Zhujiajiao ancient town, innovative interactive cultural tourism formats are crafted, providing a unique journey through the water town and a novel brand of night tourism. Flower boat water cruises, a Han-style garden lantern festival, a Han-style interactive market, dreamlike exhibitions, hanfu displays, and Kunqu Opera performances - themed activities that will provide hanfu enthusiasts with a night of surprises.

Surrounding Attractions:

Shanghai Grand View Garden is in full bloom with cherry blossoms, offering the best time to admire the flowers. The variety and distribution of peonies in the garden create a unique and picturesque scene.

Qingxi Country Park is a forest on the water, with pastoral scenery and natural delights. The unique wetland environment also attracts rare bird species.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is charming with a gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and shimmering water as boats sway. Holding a handful of roasted green beans, visitors can leisurely explore the town, wandering through the ancient buildings or carrying an oiled paper umbrella. Stroll through Kezhi Garden to explore the charm of this blend of Chinese and Western garden architecture.

Liangyi Loquat Eco-Park is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It is a well-known loquat plantation in Shanghai and a famous leisure destination in Qingpu. You can enjoy traditional spring rolls with three threads, caixian pancakes, and other spring dishes, as well as tasting signature farmhouse dishes like loquat chicken, which is highly popular among tourists.

Hemu Water Street is a cultural street located in Hemu village, surrounded by flowing water with picturesque riverbank scenery and simple, generous rural homes. With vast fields of rapeseed flowers blooming amidst the ancient village against the backdrop of blue sky and green water, it presents a pastoral spring scene. Here, you'll find an elegant Chinese-style teahouse and many exquisite restaurants.

Specialty Cuisine: Roasted green beans, caixian pancake, Liangyi loquat chicken, white crane strawberries.

Source: mct.gov.cn