As part of the 2026 Golden Autumn Consumption Season, Shanghai has introduced countryside travel routes across nine districts.

This installment of the nine-part series explores Baoshan district, highlighting five routes that combine forest walks, rice paddy cafes, intangible cultural heritage experiences, pet-friendly activities, and outdoor karting.

 

Route 1: Forest walks, rice paddies, and traditional crafts

Suggested route:

Luojing Water Conservation Forest → Our Granary Cafe → Luoxi Book Yard Farming & Weaving Garden → YU Jian Courtyard

Luojing Water Conservation Forest

Perched along the banks of the Yangtze River, it is acclaimed as the "Green Lung of North Shanghai". With dense dawn redwood forests and winding waterways, it is a premier sanctuary for autumn hiking and wildlife observation.

Our Granary Cafe

Transformed from a vacant old granary, this creative cafe sits beside about 1,000 mu (67 hectares) of golden paddy fields. Visitors can sip specialty coffee while taking in waves of autumn rice.

Luoxi Book Yard Farming & Weaving Garden

A cultural base dedicated to agricultural education and preserving intangible cultural heritage. Autumn activities include hands-on rice harvesting, making Luojing Sixi steamed rice cakes, and crafting traditional Luojing Cross-Stitch embroidery.

YU Jian Courtyard

Located in Luojing town, this century-old residence offers a serene, nostalgic setting where visitors can experience weilu zhucha (boiling tea and sitting around a stove) alongside specialty local pastries.

 

Route 2: Pet fun, flowers, and rural retreats

Suggested route:

Baoyuedao Pet School → Phalaenopsis Orchid Base → Hua Yin Xiao Yuan

Baoyuedao Pet School

A specialized, one-stop pet-friendly leisure space with expansive lawns, agility courses, and pet resting zones for training and socialization.

Phalaenopsis Orchid Base

The base grows more than 160 varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids, representing five main flower types. Visitors can admire and purchase orchids in a wide range of colors and shapes, with blooming plants available throughout the year.

Hua Yin Xiao Yuan

An industrial-chic cultural innovation hub, converted from an abandoned agricultural supply warehouse. Situated along an ecological canal, it serves yerba mate tea and doubles as a vibrant nighttime gathering spot.

 

Route 3: Karting, camping, and park walks

Suggested route:

Daqi Farm → Tusiji Karting → Zai Shan Ye → Gucun Park

Daqi Farm

Daqi Farm specializes in traditional Shanghai-style farmhouse cuisine, featuring signature dishes such as chicken braised with pickled mustard greens, rice with salted pork, eight-treasure rice, and poached mutton.

Tusiji Karting

Bordering the Shenyang flower sea, this professional outdoor karting venue features a 600-meter track with 14 corners, professional coaches, and dedicated barriers for both beginners and advanced drivers.

Zai Shan Ye

A luxury glamping site and pet-friendly outdoor venue offering open-air bonfire night parties, outdoor cinema screenings, barbecues, and candlelit live acoustic concerts.

Gucun Park

A spacious suburban forest park in Shanghai, known for its spring cherry blossoms and seasonal flowers such as lotus and osmanthus throughout the year. It also features recreational facilities and activities for families.

 

Route 4: Rural art, lakeside views, and rice paddies

Suggested route:

Tianping village → LaVie ART → Meilan Lake → Yuanjing village

Tianping village

Located in Luodian town, Tianping village offers farming experiences, countryside walks, and locally grown agricultural products. Recognized as a Shanghai Rural Revitalization Demonstration Village, it is a popular destination for family outings and agricultural education.

Rodeco Art Yard

A boutique arts enclave transformed from a decommissioned dairy farm. It blends French chateau architecture, countryside cafes, specialty dining, and interactive pet spaces into a laid-back "slow life" getaway.

Meilan Lake

Surrounded by trees and greenery, Meilan Lake offers scenic views year-round. In autumn, the lakeside trees turn golden and red, making it an ideal spot for leisurely walks and enjoying the seasonal scenery.

Yuanjing village

Tucked away in Luodian town, this authentic Jiangnan village is surrounded by about 1,000 mu of farmland, making it a prime destination for viewing vast fields of golden autumn rice.

 

Route 5: Farm experiences, animal encounters, and karting

Suggested route:

Baisha Park → Muran Farm → Dahuangcun Park → SDKY International Karting Park

Baisha Park

Baisha Park features sports facilities, children's play areas, and green spaces. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, football fields and basketball courts, and lakeside scenery. In autumn, pink muhly grass and blooming hibiscus along the Meipu River add color to the park, making it a popular spot for family outings and photography.

Muran Farm

A nature-based education camp where families can harvest seasonal produce, observe local crop growth, and feed farm animals.

Dahuangcun Park

Located in Yanghang town, Dahuangcun Park offers sports facilities, children's play areas, and pet-friendly spaces. The park features venues for football, basketball, tennis, and badminton. In autumn, dawn redwoods, Chinese tallow trees, and Chinese soapberry trees change color, creating scenic views along the waterways and walking paths.

SDKY International Karting Park

An outdoor sports venue repurposed from an old parking lot, featuring a professional 700-meter winding race track for adult racing karts and parent-child tandem models.

 

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Baoshan district government