You’ve been to Taiwan and soaked up the sun in Hainan, but did you know that on our doorstep is Chongming Island, the third largest island in China? And the largest river alluvial island in the world?

Getting there:

Getting to Chongming Island became a lot easier when the Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge opened in October 2009. Grab a bus from the Exit 6 Metro Stop of the Science and Technology Museum, give them 12rmb, and one hour later you will arrive in Chen Jia Zhen (陈家镇) in the east end of Chongming Island. Buses run daily from 6am-7pm with about 3 busses every hour.

The journey alone is worth the money just for the trip across the 10km bridge that spans the East China Sea from Changxing Island to Chongming Island, (the first part of the journey isn’t quite as spectacular -- it’s a tunnel). On a sort of clear Shanghai day you get some nice views of the bridge and across the murky brown waters.

And then you're there...

The Basics:

Chongming is a big island especially if you are relying on public transport or taxis. Ideally concentrate a day’s visit in either the east arriving in Chen Jia Zhen, the central areas arriving in Bao Zhen, or head west to Namen Port. We concentrated our visit in option one -- the eastern region of the island: Dongtan Wetland Park and Yingdong Village.

Dongtan Wetland Park

Our first stop was the Dongtan Wetland Park, approximately 20km from the bus terminal. It can only be reached by car, according to Tourist Information, or in our case, taxi. Yep, there is a Tourist Information kiosk at the bus station -- no English but looking lost and lonely or a little scary will get them rummaging through the cupboards to find some English literature.

Now “can only get there by taxi” should have rung alarm bells but no, we turned down the privateers who were offering a one way trip for 50rmb and jumped in to a licensed taxi who took the scenic route and charged 46rmb -- savvy move.

The Wetland Park is pleasant -- 50rmb entrance fee (80rmb, peak days) -- great for a stroll among the reeds and along the boardwalks playing spot the bird (yes, bird). In all fairness the migratory birds arrive October and leave March and they’ve certainly left, apart for the few that have gone in to hiding. You can hear them but you sure as hell can’t see them. The air is clean, though, and they have electric boats that cruise through the wetland (40rmb approx 30mins). Bicycles and BBQ also for hire. We took the boat to the far end of the reserve and strolled back, accompanied by the constant chatter of the other 10 people that were in the park that day and appeared every time we stopped to enjoy the view.

Now here’s the warning: If you got there by taxi, you’re stranded, apart the security guard that will phone his friend for you and… yep you have it… a 50rmb ride back to Chenjia. You shouldn’t have a problem traveling on peak days – weekends and holidays -- beware if traveling mid week.

Yingdong Ecological Village

Instead of traveling back to Chen Jia, though, we decided to divert to Yingdong Village approximately 12 kms from the Wetland Park. Now this ‘attraction’ is billed as…

“…the ideal place for you. Trees and bushes dot both sides of a road leading to the village. The hamlet, which encompasses some 4,000 mu (266.7 hectares), features a giant lake with various waterways, vast green spaces, lakeside pathways and some man-made attractions such as a sculpture called Chongming spirit."

Sounds great and I’m sure it is on a sunny weekend with families laughing, playing, and generally enjoying life, but when it’s only you, your other half, and two fisherman, it’s a bit bleak. The actual village ‘area’ probably is around 4000mu, but the main tourist attraction is an island in the middle of the (giant) lake which is probably closer to 50mu. Surrounding the lake is a concrete walk way (lakeside path) and on the west side, a hotel and restaurant (82rmb: one meat dish, one veggie and one soup -- authentic Shanghainese so just a bit oily!) fishing archives and various amenities, including another tourist information with English maps.

Teamed up with a visit to the wetland it would make a nice day out but as a destination it of itself, maybe not.

Arriving back at the bus station, we decided on one final experience: a romantic ferry ride home watching the setting sun… or so we thought. The closest ferry terminal according to the TI map was in Bao Zhen. You can take an unofficial taxi for (yep) 50 rmb, which is quite a bargain as its twice as far as the wetland or you can get a bus for 7rmb.The bus would take about 30mins or should have if it hadn’t broken down and we had to walk the last mile to the ferry terminal…

Did I mention ferry terminal and romantic cruise? Well, not any more: it’s a bus. Yes, we really did travel 30 mins inland to take a bus 30 mins outland (17rmb) and back over the bridge.

Even better it terminates in the hinterland of Wenshui Lu Metro Station which is even past Circus World!

The Bottom Line:

Would I recommend Chongming Island for a day out? Certainly. Would I recommend the Wetland park? Sure, if you don’t mind stumping up for taxis. And if you’ve made it that far you might as well visit the Yingdong village. Personally next time I would travel to Namen Port (if the ferry is still running, no guarantees) and explore the west coast, but go, enjoy and have a laugh.. and again, 12rmb for the bridge ride is a good enough reason.