Dianshan Lake is located in the western part of Zhujiajiao in Qingpu District. It is a natural freshwater lake, commonly referred to as “Dian Lake” or “Sweet Water Lake” in local terms. The lake spans across Kunshan and Qingpu counties, connecting to Yangcheng Lake in the north and Taihu Lake in the west. The lake has a gourd-like shape with crystal-clear water and misty tree-lined shores.
In ancient times, the lake’s vast surface was so expansive that it was hard to distinguish land from water. Boats used to rely on the wind to set their sails or row against it. Sometimes, boatmen would drink the lake water to quench their thirst. This water, which tasted refreshingly sweet and cool, led to the lake being affectionately named “Sweet Water Lake.”
The Dianshan Lake Scenic Area features beautiful lake views and serene environments, covering approximately 1 million square meters. The Qingshang Road divides the area into two parts. The eastern part boasts natural attractions, including a 380-meter-long artificial embankment known as “Willow Embankment in Spring Dawn,” where green willows and colorful flowers flourish. From the embankment, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the lake’s azure waters blending seamlessly with the sky. The western part features “Ancient Stone City,” a street designed in a traditional style, serving as the center for visitor services.
The scenic area offers a range of facilities including an international standard golf course, a water sports arena, lakeside walking paths, wetland parks, rural tourism, and resorts. Besides its picturesque natural environment, the area is rich in historical and cultural landmarks, such as the ancient Songze Culture Site and Fuxuan Mountain Culture Site, which are among the earliest known human settlements in Shanghai. Historical buildings include the Tang Dynasty’s Qinglong Temple and Qinglong Tower, the Song Dynasty’s Puji Bridge and Wan’an Bridge, the Ming Dynasty’s Baoguo Temple and Fangsheng Bridge, and the Qing Dynasty’s Qu Shui Garden and Wanshou Tower. Additionally, the historic water towns of Zhujiajiao and Jinzec are nearby.
Travel Information about Dianshan Lake
Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all day
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Dianshan Lake are during the spring and autumn. At these times, the flowers are in full bloom, the forests are lush and green, and the weather is mild, making it perfect for travel.
Getting to the Scenic Area
Location: Western part of Zhujiajiao in Qingpu District
By Shuttle Bus: Board at Hong Kong New World Building on Madang Road (near Jinling West Road). The bus passes through Zhujiajiao and takes about two hours to reach the Old Cadre Holiday Village at Dianshan Lake.
By Car: From downtown, take Yan’an Road Elevated to G50 Huyu Expressway, then exit at Zhujiajiao and follow Huqingping Road (National Route 318) to Dianshan Lake Natural Scenic Area.
Attraction Rating
- Leisure: ★★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Features: ★★★
- Thrill: ★★
- Cultural: ★★
Highlights of Dianshan Lake
Dianshan Lake Water Sports Arena
The Water Sports Arena is situated in the northeast of Dianshan Lake, with green trees lining the embankments. The central 7-meter-wide cement road on the dam is suitable for marathon running, race walking, cycling, and other training and small-scale competitions.
The main facility of the arena includes a primary waterway designed to international competition standards, measuring 150 meters in width, 2,250 meters in length, and 3 meters in depth, making it ideal for rowing and kayaking training. To the east of the primary waterway is a secondary waterway, 60 meters wide and 850 meters long, connected to the main waterway by two 8-meter-wide bridges, used for pre-race training.
The southern part of the arena features a 5,500-square-meter boat dock capable of accommodating over 200 various types of sailboats. Additionally, the arena includes an array of facilities such as a land-based gym, rowing training rooms, a restaurant, an athlete’s dormitory, and a guesthouse, along with 28 individual projects. Recreational facilities also include basketball courts, tennis courts, and a standard athletics field.
Oriental Greenboat
Oriental Greenboat is located adjacent to Dianshan Lake, covering an area of over 3.7 million square meters, with more than 1.33 million square meters dedicated to water activities. The area features vast water expanses, lush vegetation, and picturesque landscapes, with each step revealing a new scene that reflects the profound essence of Chinese garden design.
The park is divided into eight main areas: Knowledge Avenue, Brave Wisdom, National Defense Education, Survival Challenge, and more. The southern part of the park features a diverse landscape with rivers, lakes, small bridges, woods, bamboo groves, ancient trees, unique rocks, large lawns, and botanical gardens, creating a breathtaking array of scenic beauty.
To the north, more than 30 apartment buildings in Spanish, British, and American styles showcase an international flair. An imposing aircraft carrier stands on the eastern shore of the lake, revealing the mysteries of military modernization. On the western side, Moon Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the water activity platforms are adjacent, offering stunning views of the setting sun over Dianshan Lake.
Shanghai International Golf Club
Located by Dianshan Lake, the Shanghai International Golf Club covers approximately 1.03 million square meters and is the first international standard 18-hole golf course in Shanghai and the East China region.
The course is situated adjacent to Dianshan Lake, showcasing the natural beauty of the Jiangnan Delta. The club’s main clubhouse features a 19th-century British country villa style, with its exterior walls made from meticulously kiln-fired bricks, adding an elegant and charming touch to the architecture.
The expansive fairways, risk-laden small lakes, artfully placed sand bunkers, and strategically designed traps make the course a favorite among golf enthusiasts, both local and international. It is acclaimed by experts as one of the most challenging golf courses.
Inside the clubhouse, you’ll find a range of amenities including a grand lobby, professional shop, bar, restaurant, reading room, billiards room, and sauna, all designed with exceptional attention to detail.
Baoguo Temple
Located in Dianfeng Village by Dianshan Lake, Baoguo Temple covers an area of over 5,000 square meters. Its grandeur rivals that of the ancient temples in Suzhou and Hangzhou. The temple is situated in a picturesque area by the lake with convenient transportation, making it a significant Buddhist site in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions.
Baoguo Temple is renowned for its “Three Treasures”:
- Shakyamuni Jade Buddha: Carved from Burmese white jade.
- Guanyin Statue: The first white jade Guanyin gifted by Singapore.
- Ancient Ginkgo Tree: A centuries-old ginkgo tree that adds to the temple’s historical charm.
Shanghai Grand View Garden
Shanghai Grand View Garden, inspired by the Qing Dynasty literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber, spans over 800,000 square meters and is divided into two main areas: the East and West sections.
Eastern Area: Features prominent attractions such as the Shanghai Folk Culture Village, Plum Blossom Garden, and Osmanthus Garden.
Western Area: Designed based on the literary style of Cao Xueqin, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, this section showcases a large-scale, traditional-style architectural complex, employing classical Chinese garden art techniques.
Related Details:
- Events and Festivals: The Grand View Garden hosts a variety of entertainment events throughout the year. Spring features the Red Mansion Entertainment Festival, summer hosts the Lotus Flower Festival, autumn is celebrated with the Red Mansion Art Festival, and winter brings the Plum Blossom Exhibition.
- Eastern Area Highlights: The eastern part of the garden boasts 1,000,000 square meters of trees, totaling 340,000 individual plants. Key attractions include “Plum Blossom Valley in Spring,” “Willow Embankment in Spring,” “Golden Snow Fragrance,” and “Competing Blossoms,” with “Plum Blossom Valley in Spring” being the prime spot in Shanghai for plum blossom viewing.
- Youth Camping Base: Located to the north of the Grand View Garden, this camping base is equipped with colorful tents, small villas, and barbecue areas. It features a range of activities including sailing, speed boating, racing, ice skating, billiards, fishing, a dance floor, bar, projection TV, fountain slides, and a water play area. The lakeside restaurant offers fresh seafood from Dian Lake and scenic views of the lake.
Visitor Guide for Dianshan Lake
Transportation in the Scenic Area
The Dian Shan Lake Scenic Area is expansive, and walking between attractions can be time-consuming. To facilitate exploration, various transportation options are available for rent:
- Single Bicycle: ¥10
- Double Bicycle: ¥20
- Four-Wheel Leisure Car: ¥40
Additionally, there are sightseeing buses:
- Bus Line A: ¥10 for the full route
- Bus Line B: ¥15 for the full route
Accommodation Options
- Rainbow Island: Located on the southern shore of Dian Shan Lake, Rainbow Island is an extensive resort developed by British investors. It features luxurious villas, a large water park, a yacht marina, a bird-watching area, a fishing zone, tennis courts, and a country bar among other leisure facilities.
- Riyue Island & Taiyang Island: These are also resort options within the Dian Shan Lake area, offering a range of accommodation and amenities.
- Big View Garden (Da Guan Yuan): Accommodations are available within this scenic area.
- Zhujiajiao Ancient Town: Offers a variety of lodging options in a charming historical setting.
Dining Options
In the historic Stone City Ancient Style Street, you can enjoy a variety of dining options that reflect the area’s traditional ambiance. For fresh lake delicacies, Dian Shan Lake offers an exceptional seafood experience. During the autumn, the lake is known for its fresh crab feasts, featuring dishes like crab roe stew with four treasures, stir-fried shrimp with crab roe, crab roe stew with fish maw, crab roe tofu, and crab meat and mango salad. The crab roe used is typically from the northern Jiangsu hairy crab, known for its plump, elastic meat with a rich flavor. These dishes are prepared with light and refreshing ingredients to complement the natural sweetness of the crab, making them a must-try for visitors.