Editor's note: China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has curated 82 national boutique rural tourism routes to enrich summer cultural and tourism experiences.

Among them, Shanghai offers three unique routes in its Jinshan, Fengxian and Qingpu districts. Explore one of these captivating journeys below in Jinshan district.

Itinerary: Chinese Peasant Painting Village - One Step Garden cafe - Fengjing Ancient Town - Former Residence of Zhu Xuefan - Dayin Bookmall - Shanghai Nanshe Memorial Hall - Baijiao Art Museum - Zoumalou Building of the Chen's Family - Zhangyan Historical and Cultural Customs Museum

Transportation: Self-drive from Shanghainan Railway Station in Shanghai's bustling downtown to the serene Fengjing Ancient Town 60 kilometers away, promising a scenic journey of about one hour.

Chinese Peasant Painting Village

A trio of peasant paintings is put on display. [Photo/WeChat account: jinshantour]

The Chinese Peasant Painting Village, located in Zhonghong village, is renowned as the birthplace of Jinshan peasant paintings.

Originating in the 1970s, this art form represents a fusion of traditional folk art from the southern Yangtze River region with modern aesthetics.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of the countryside while admiring these unique paintings.

Address: No 169 Lane 8258 Zhufeng Highway, Fengjing town, Jinshan district

Open: Daily 8 am-4:30 pm

One Step Garden cafe

One Step Garden cafe in Jinshan district, Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account of the publicity department of Jinshan district]

The One Step Garden cafe in Jinshan district is located in a historic building where top scholars were once nurtured. This Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) mansion has been transformed into a cultural and recreational space that seamlessly combines history, fashion, and daily life.

Visitors can delve into historical materials while savoring coffee in a richly scented, nostalgic environment.

Address: No 4, Shengjia Alley, Fengjing Ancient Town, Jinshan district

Open: Daily 10 am-8 pm

Fengjing Ancient Town

Traditional houses and tranquil waterways in Fengjing Ancient Town. [Photo/WeChat account of Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Center]

Fengjing, the southwest gateway to Shanghai, is a vibrant hub of trade and culture at the crossroads of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai.

Fengjing Ancient Town is a national 4A-rated tourist attraction. It boasts a rich heritage and is home to many renowned scholars and artists.

Address: No 28 Lane 8588 Tingfeng Highway, Jinshan district

Open: Daily 8 am-4:30 pm (last admission at 3 pm)

Former Residence of Zhu Xuefan

An interior view of the Former Residence of Zhu Xuefan. [Photo/WeChat account: jinshantour]

Zhu Xuefan (1905-1996), a prominent politician who later became the first minister of post and telecommunications of the People's Republic of China, spent his formative years at No 200 Xinjing Road in Fengjing town from 1905 to 1921.

The residence, constructed in 1905, opened its doors to the public in 2005 and features Zhu's life exhibition hall.

Address: No 200 Xinjing Road, Jinshan district

Open: 9 am-4 pm (last admission at 3:30 pm) every Tuesday through Sunday; Closed on Mondays.

Dayin Bookmall

The Dayin Bookmall in Jinshan district. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism]

This old building dates back to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Originally owned by Qian Boxun, a key figure in Jinshan's first chamber of commerce, it later became a boys' dorm for a middle school.

Today, the revamped Dayin Bookmall mixes modern and traditional styles, offering a peaceful spot for reading and leisure.

Address: No 300 Zhangyan Street, Jinshan district

Open: Daily 9 am-6 pm

Nanshe (Southern Society) Memorial Hall

Visitors explore the Nanshe Memorial Hall. [Photo/WeChat account: jinshantour]

The Nanshe Memorial Hall is China's first museum showcasing the achievements of historical figures associated with the Nanshe (Southern Society), the influential revolutionary literary society before and after the Revolution of 1911, also known as the Xinhai Revolution. Jinshan district is one of the birthplaces of Nanshe.

Address: No 130 Xinjian Road, Jinshan district

Baijiao Art Museum

The entrance to the Baijiao Art Museum. [Photo/WeChat account of the publicity department of Jinshan district]

Bai Jiao (1907-1969) was a renowned painter, calligrapher and art educator from Jinshan district.

The gallery showcases his life and artistic accomplishments in poetry, literature, calligraphy, painting and seal cutting.

Address: No 29 Huaxian Road, Zhangyan town, Jinshan district

Open: 9 am-4 pm every Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays, except public holidays).

Zoumalou Building of the Chen's Family

An elegant view of the Zoumalou Building of the Chen Family. [Photo/WeChat account: jinshanrongmei]

Zoumalou, which literally means "horse-walking building", is a style of Hakka residential building which has interconnected upper corridors. It is so spacious that one can even ride a horse freely inside, hence the name Zoumalou.

The Zoumalou Building of Chen's Family is a historic building which once housed the first branch of the Communist Party of China of the then Jinshan county.

Address: No 26 Zheng'an Road, Jinshan district

Open: Daily 24 hours

Zhangyan Historical and Cultural Customs Museum

An exterior view of the Zhangyan Historical and Cultural Customs Museum. [Photo/WeChat account of the publicity department of Jinshan district]

The Zhangyan Historical and Cultural Customs Museum serves as a window showcasing the rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as the local customs and traditions of Zhangyan town.

Address: No 156 Huaxian Road, Jinshan district

Culinary delights

- The four treasures of Fengjing, namely Ding's Hock of Fengjing (fēng jīng dīng tí), Scholar Cake (zhuàng yuán gāo), Tianxiang Dried Bean Curd (tiān xiāng dòu fu gān) and Jinfeng Mulled Rice Wine (jīn fēng huáng jiǔ);

- Fengjing zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings);

- Fengjing shaomai (also known as shumai, a steamed dumpling with thick dough on the top);

- Wenwantai Pickles.

 

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, WeChat account of the publicity department of Jinshan district via "gh_920b209ef3da", "jinshantour" "jinshanrongmei" WeChat accounts, Dazhong Dianping