Shanghai has unveiled 14 featured villages as part of its latest rural tourism initiative, spanning nine districts across Pudong, Jinshan, Baoshan, Qingpu, Fengxian, Minhang, Songjiang, Jiading, and Chongming. Each village draws on its own strengths — from intangible cultural heritage to family-friendly sports and water-based ecological resources — to bring fresh energy to traditional rural life.

Pudong New Area

1. Qizao village

With a focus on salt culture and contemporary art, Qizao village has turned its century-old canal heritage into a living art space. Visitors can explore a salt-themed market, art streets, a salt culture research center, and artist-designed accommodation.

2. Zhaoqiao village

Zhaoqiao village, home to charming peach forests, offers a delightful escape for visitors of all ages. Highlights include designated areas for entertainment, vacation stays, and picturesque photo spots.

Jinshan district

3. Xinyuan village

Known for its thousand-year-old polder fields, Xinyuan village follows a low-intervention, nature-friendly approach to development. Ecological conservation, intangible cultural heritage, traditional farming wisdom, and nature-based learning are at the heart of what the village has to offer.

4. Hougang village

Hougang village brings to life the tradition of morning wine culture. Visitors can experience a full day of local life, from bustling morning markets to relaxed evening drinks. Specialty products include snow melon and black-haired pork, along with themed dining and creative retail.

Baoshan district

5. Yueshi village

Yueshi village is an ideal destination for those with children and pets, offering a family-friendly sports park, a pet activity zone, and a high-tech light sports hall. Visitors can also enjoy themed dining experiences, family-friendly hotels, and clusters of charming countryside homestays.

Qingpu district

6. Shanshen village

Surrounded by water and built on a three-island layout, Shanshen village makes the most of its lake resources. Visitors can try kayaking and paddleboarding, go birdwatching in the wetlands, join nature education programs, or enjoy quiet retreats and wellness stays.

7. Shuguang village

Strawberry fields and Song Dynasty (960-1279)-style aesthetics define Shuguang village. Visitors can pick strawberries, enjoy traditional cuisine, and experience Shanghai Opera in an immersive setting.

Fengxian district

8. Pandian village

Rooted in centuries-old homespun cloth dyeing and a local tradition of eating mutton soup with rice wine, Pandian village has built a strong rural lifestyle brand. It hosts popular events such as the Fuyang Festival, a seasonal mutton festival, and the rapeseed flower festival. Visitors can also enjoy night markets, cultural products, and upgraded homestays and dining.

9. Jianghai village

Jianghai village sits on three ancient coastal ridges, the only site of its kind in Shanghai. It combines Liangzhu culture, dating back to around 3300-2300 BC, with outdoor activities and nature education, creating a waterfront destination that blends history, sports and learning.

Minhang district

10. Zhengyi village

Zhengyi village is home to the descendants of Xu Guangqi, a renowned Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) scholar, scientist, and agronomist. The village focuses on farming education and nature learning, with events such as a spring plowing festival, a field poetry gathering, a harvest carnival, and a land art festival, turning its cultural heritage into hands-on experiences for visitors.

Songjiang district

11. Liujiashan village

The village is deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of "Yunjian", the ancient name for Songjiang. Emphasizing wellness and slow living, it offers serene country retreats, inspiring art spaces, and immersive agricultural stays, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and experience local life at a leisurely pace.

Jiading district

12. Mamen village

Mamen village has a reputation in Shanghai as a sought-after pottery destination. It features pottery-themed rural accommodations, community workshops, and family-friendly classes that introduce children to the values of staying focused, being creative, and enjoying some hands-on craftsmanship.

Chongming district

13. Fuwei village

Located near the Dongtan Wetland, Fuwei village has carved out its identity as a hub for bird conservation and ecological retreats. It offers bird-friendly eco-stays, wetland study tours, and nature-based healing experiences, allowing visitors to learn about birds and enjoy the wetlands up close.

14. Xinle village

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Chongming Island, Xinle village celebrates rice culture and the slow pace of island life. With its rice fields, milu deer forests, reed marshes, and wetlands, the village offers a serene retreat for city dwellers seeking a peaceful rural escape.

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism