Dongping National Forest Park was formerly known as Dongping Forest Farm. The park is renowned for its lush forests and crystal-clear lakes. The main tree species is the Metasequoia, often referred to as a “living fossil,” which can be found throughout the park.
The park is also rich in wildlife, hosting a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including frogs, snakes, otters, and rabbits. Additionally, nearly 160 species of migratory and resident birds, such as egrets, gray herons, and Chinese egrets, can be found in the park, with raptors like eagles and falcons also frequently seen, adding to the park’s wild charm.
Moreover, the park features several themed gardens, including the Osmanthus Garden, Plum Blossom Garden, Cherry Blossom Garden, Maple Garden, and Rose Garden. Wandering through these areas feels like stepping into a paradise, leaving visitors enchanted and reluctant to leave.
Travel Information about Dongping National Forest Park
Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 70 RMB for park entry. Some activities within the park require additional fees.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Best Time to Visit
Spring, summer, and autumn are the best seasons to visit Dongping National Forest Park. During these times, the weather is pleasant, the air is fresh, and it’s ideal for outdoor barbecues and dining.
Transportation to the Park
Location: No. 2188 Beiyan Highway, Chongming District, Shanghai.
Public Transport: Accessible via Nandong Line, Nanjing Line, and Nantong Line.
By Car: From the Outer Ring Line to the Middle Ring Line (Xianggan Road Tunnel), then to Wuzhou Avenue, Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge, Chenhai Highway (towards Baozhen to Chengqiao), Panlong Road (north), Beiyan Highway (west), arriving at Dongping National Forest Park.
Attraction Ratings
- Beauty: ★★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★★★
- Uniqueness: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★
Highlights of Dongping National Forest Park
The grand entrance of Dongping National Forest Park, designed by the Shanghai Landscape Design Institute, showcases the beautiful natural scenery of the forest centered around the cedar trees through its lines and structure.
The Dutch windmill by the lake (Metasequoia Lake) and the garden (Prairie Paradise), facing the large lawn, offer an elegant and tranquil environment. Surrounded by blue skies, white clouds, green trees, and soaring pigeons, the setting exudes a captivating beauty with a distinct European charm.
The Youth Brigade Memorial Wall is a unique cultural landmark in the park. It was built by the people of Chongming to commemorate the 220,000 Shanghai intellectual youth who came to Chongming to work and contribute during the 1960s and 1970s. The memorial features sculptures, bas-reliefs, and a commemorative wall.
The Forest Fairy Tale Garden is a paradise for children and a nostalgic place for adults to reminisce about their childhood. The garden’s construction emphasizes a rugged, wild, and primitive style, using raw timber from the forest without additional decoration, reflecting a perfect harmony between nature and human presence.
The Animal Forest is a haven for animals, where visitors can feed and interact with them. The park’s several domesticated animals, including peacocks and deer, allow for a harmonious experience between people and wildlife.
Entertainment at Dongping National Forest Park
In the northwest of the park, there is a beach resort with a serene environment and pleasant scenery. The resort offers activities such as barbecuing, beach volleyball, kite flying, and camping.
On the north side of the park, there is a climbing area with towering rock walls and open terrain. It features two international standard climbing routes, which are among the few in the country. The Sixth National Climbing Championship was also held here. If you’re looking to challenge yourself, this is the perfect place to try.
The park features a paintball shooting activity, simulating a military exercise with live ammunition. The shooting range includes trenches, deep ditches, and scattered trees. Participants, dressed in camouflage and armed with paintball guns, chase and capture opponents in a battlefield-like experience.
The park also offers zip-lining, with a straight-line distance of 160 meters and a height of about 16.5 meters from the ground. The zip-line crosses over a lawn and a small river before reaching the end.
The park has the only grass skiing area in the Shanghai region. Covering over 10,000 square meters, the slope is more than 10 meters high, with a flat grassy surface that makes for a safe and exhilarating ride.
There is a horseback riding area in the park with professional staff to ensure safety. Visitors can rent one or two horses to ride or lead through the forest, enjoying a unique experience that is seldom encountered elsewhere.
The golf practice range in the forest park measures approximately 250 meters from east to west and 100 meters from north to south, covering an area of over 30,000 square meters. With 30 practice bays, it is the largest artificial forest golf practice range in East China and also the largest park-based forest golf practice range in Shanghai.
Under the sunshine, the flat grass, serene green trees, and wooden huts perched on the hilltop create an environment filled with the fragrance of grass. In such a setting, lying down on any patch of grass and basking in the sunlight feels like paradise on earth.
Visitor Guide for Dongping National Forest Park
In-Park Transportation
The park is quite large. Visitors can either take the park’s sightseeing shuttle or rent a bicycle for touring. The electric cart costs ¥30 per person per loop, while bicycles are ¥10 per person per loop.
Accommodation Options
Nearby the park, there are several options for lodging, including the Binjiang Resort, Baodao Resort, Qianwei Farmhouse, and various hotels. The Baodao Resort, located to the south of the park, is surrounded by extensive forests and grasslands, offering a tranquil environment and fresh air. The resort provides facilities such as restaurants, guest rooms, conference rooms, shopping, entertainment, and sports activities, making it very convenient.
Additionally, you can also rent tents and camp overnight in the designated camping area (next to the barbecue area) within the park.
Food Options
Local specialties from Chongming include Chongming hairy crabs, Chongming white goats, broad beans, golden squash, eel, knife fish, puffer fish, Chongming sweet melons, asparagus, and Chongming silverfish. These dishes are available at the restaurant in Baodao Resort.
Qianwei Farmhouse also offers authentic mountain chicken and other farmhouse dishes, making it a great choice for those who enjoy traditional country flavors.