So China’s going green… well, maybe not right away but it’s getting there… heading in that direction. Maybe? And in honor of a new, (more) environmentally-conscious five year plan, Out of Town heads out to the East China Sea, checking out the nature reserve destinations out past Nanhui.
The Basics
Situated just about as far east as you can go without getting your feet wet, Binhai Tourist resort is a purpose- built recreational area, comprising of a golf club, a holiday village, lakes, gardens, and parks -- seems the ideal day out. We took the trip to see if life exists beyond the Huangpu River.
Getting There
Take a left out of Exit 2, at Longyang Road metro station and head into the bus station. Find someone official looking and show them Shanghai Flower Port (上海鲜花港) or ask for long dong zhuanxian (龙东专线) and, hopefully, like us you will then be made to stand in the middle of the bus station desperately hoping 1. A bus hurries up and 2. you won’t get flattened before it does, assuming you make it on board 10 RMB takes you directly to our first port of call (2 hours)
In and Around the Shanghai Flower Port
Rated an "AAAA" tourist attraction (usually that serves as more of a warning than a recommendation) and famous for the incredible tulip displays March to early May, this could be an amazing destination. But 50rmb for no tulips and a lot of bare ground though was a bit steep.
Immaculate walkways take you around the gardens complete with rockery, compulsory boats and slightly surreal tulip guardian statues. You can stroll around the artificial lake and climb the lonely windmills admiring the fish in the pond and patches of mud (sans tulips).
Cross in to “Science Polarisation Leisure Area” and wander through an eerily quiet greenhouse arriving at the ecological gardens where ”flowers bloom all year round and fragrant grass like carpet”. There were some blooms and the piano was an unusual feature, but after about 10 minutes you’re done. Back outside a rope bridge and stepping stones ensure a bit of exploration, as does the maze and adventure play area with various climbing attraction slung over a small waterway.
Heading out of the park and back to the main road a right turn will bring you to the bus station. Now try and find a pedicab or illegal driver to take you to our next destination. Failing that, a 30-minute walk will bring you to Binhai Forest Park and Wind Power Museum (past the bus station and first left along the never ending gravel track, right at the main road)
Binhai Forest Park: Jurassic Diversions
Dinosaurs. Yep, we were amazed as well. Dinosaurs! Not sure if the pens were to keep them in or us out…
And then on to horse riding. 30rmb gets you a whiz around the 800-meter sand track. Or you can splash out 250rmb for a 10-kilometer trek around the park.
Further into the park is the forest; although more of a scrubland with tracks, it does provide that get-away-from-it-all feeling. And resplendent, as it is, with horse crap, therein you can enjoy the sights and smell of a lost countryside…
Back to the tarmac road and into the BBQ area with views over the adjacent villa complex and business area, again obligatory boats and fishing complete the picture.
By now, with your curiosity fully aroused, you’re desperate to learn more about the wind turbines at the Wind Power Museum. 15rmb gains you access to the ”professional popular museum”. Unfortunately, closing a 4pm we only made the entrance before the lights were turned out. Picking up a leaflet though we were sad to miss the 4 exhibition zones such as “Caution of Resources” and “Wind Power with Us”.
The Verdict
If you wake up Sunday morning and haven’t got anything planned, it’s worth a trip. Fresh air, some notable oddities, gardens, horse riding… dinosaurs. If you’re after a nice garden, the is a much better bet; likewise if you’re looking for a forest park, head to – you’ll get to see the sea and the journey time is halved.
But Binhai has dinosaurs…
Addresses: Shanghai Flower Port 上海鲜花港 No. 2 Zhendong Road, Donghai Farm, Nanhui District
近郊南汇区东海农场振东路2号(近两港大道) ; Binhai Forest Park上海滨海森林公园 (东大公路)
118 Dongda Highway
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