Day Trips Outside Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s largest metropolis. While walking along the Bund is a unique and exciting experience, and the plethora of restaurants and sights seems never-ending, there are many places near Shanghai, which offer a break from the urban experiences of China’s biggest city.

Songjiang is developing rapidly, but maintains several atmospheric old neighborhoods and plenty of good shopping opportunities. The crowds are not as intense here as in Shanghai. Buses run from Shanghai’s Stadium bus station. You can also arrive in Songjiang via rail. The nine-storey Square Pagoda is set amidst a quiet and peaceful park. If you feel overwhelmed by Shanghai’s streets, head here to find some peace and quiet.

The Songjiang Mosque is one of the oldest in China, dating back to the 14th century. This mosque is quite a sight, especially for avid architecture gazers.

She Shan is another town within striking distance of Shanghai. Religious buildings are the big draw here. Shashan cathedral offers a chance to see some pleasing architecture and also to enjoy the views from West Hill, on which the cathedral is located. An observatory is located next to the church. It was built for the Jesuit priests in the area over 100 years ago. On the opposite side of the hill sits XiuDaoZhe Temple, a tall, thousand year old temple. Buses run from Shashan to Songjiang, making a day trip to both towns possible.

Jiading is a town of parks and gardens. Located north of Shanghai, it is easily reachable via bus or taxi. Dragon Pond, near the bus station, is a great place to start a day in Jiading. Several small brooks run into the pond. The Garden of Autumn Clouds is nearby and offers the finest garden in all the Shanghai area. There are places to eat along the way. A day in the gardens will leave you refreshed and ready to get back to the urban splendor of Shanghai.

For a bit of traditional Chinese culture, head to Qibao, a small town that is known for the traditional canal houses which line the two water-ways which cross the town. Though not quite as extravagant as China’s other canal cities, Qibao is an interesting place to spend a day walking around. Some of the sites are tourist traps, and one gets the feeling that the area has been re-developed with tourism in mind. Still, wandering around, perhaps finding a boat to take a cruise on, constitutes a good day’s sightseeing.

Shanghai itself has everything a traveler could want, but day-trips outside the city offer a way to escape the urban grind for a day.