Jinshan

Jinshan’s weekend options include seaside beaches, Jiangnan water towns, and fishing-village lanes, making it suitable for a short leisure trip.

• Jinshan City Beach: Shanghai’s first national AAAA-rated coastal scenic area, with a sandy beach and an artificial seawater area. Tickets are cheaper outside the swimming season, and visitors can dig in the sand, enjoy the sea, or take Japanese-style photos. In the evening, head to the seawall to watch the sunset.

• Jinshanzui Fishing Village: This thousand-year-old village is known as Shanghai’s last fishing village that still retains its traditional fishing lifestyle. Walk along the old street to learn about fishermen’s daily lives, sample yellow croaker noodles, or eat at a seafood food stall.

• Fengjing Ancient Town: Compared with Zhujiajiao, this Jiangnan water town has fewer visitors and a quieter atmosphere. Ride a covered black-awning boat through the covered walkways and enjoy the small bridges and waterways along the route. Local specialties include Fengjing diced pork trotter, a national-level intangible cultural heritage food, and huangjiu rice wine.

• Jinshan Coastal Grand Prairie: This ecological grassland covers 560,000 square meters and is suitable for camping, kite flying, and cycling. Lonely Café overlooks the open grassland and is a good place to stop for a break during your visit.

• Donglin Temple: The temple holds several Guinness World Records, and its architecture incorporates the mountain into the temple complex. Pay special attention to the Thousand-Buddha Gate and the indoor Thousand-Hand Guanyin, known for its height.

• Flowers by the Sea Ecological Park: The scenery in this thousand-mu flower-viewing park changes with the seasons. In autumn, you can see kochia and seas of cosmos flowers; in spring, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms. It is ideal for flower viewing and photography.

Suggested Itineraries

• One-day trip (Coastal Art Journey): Visit the old street in Jinshanzui Fishing Village in the morning and have a seafood brunch. In the afternoon, walk to the Coastal Grand Prairie, or choose Jinshan City Beach to play in the sand, walk in the waves, and watch the seaside sunset. Return to the fishing village for a seafood dinner in the evening.
• Two-day trip (Mountains, Sea, and Ancient Towns):
  • Day 1: Leave from downtown in the morning and go first to the Coastal Grand Prairie, which the original itinerary lists as a sunset photography spot. In the afternoon, head to Jinshanzui Fishing Village to try yellow croaker noodles and explore the old street. In the evening, watch the sunset over Hangzhou Bay at Jinshan City Beach and stay overnight at a guesthouse in the fishing village.
  • Day 2: Start with Fengjing Ancient Town, experience water-town life, and try Fengjing diced pork trotter and shaomai. In the afternoon, visit Donglin Temple to pray for blessings, or go to Flowers by the Sea Ecological Park to see the flowers before heading back.

Jinshan Specialties

Transportation and Travel Tips

• Getting around:
  • Jinshan Suburban Railway: Take the Jinshan Railway from Shanghai South Railway Station directly to Jinshanwei Station. The express journey takes about 30 minutes, and transit cards are accepted. To reach Fengjing Ancient Town, you can also get off at Jinshan North Station and take a taxi.
  • Driving: The Coastal Grand Prairie, Jinshan City Beach, and Jinshanzui Fishing Village are relatively close to one another. Driving makes it easier to adjust the order of your visit, and parking is relatively convenient.
• Sun protection and clothing: There is little shade by the sea and on the grassland, and ultraviolet radiation can be strong. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Temperature differences between day and night are larger by the sea, so wear a light jacket in the evening.
• Tickets and reservations: Jinshan City Beach has lower prices outside the swimming season, about 10 yuan on weekdays and 25 yuan on weekends; prices are higher during the swimming season. Popular attractions such as LEGOLAND and Guangming Jinshan Ranch require advance reservations and ticket purchases through their official mini programs.
• Sightseeing and dining tips: Check the blooming season before visiting Flowers by the Sea Ecological Park to avoid missing the best viewing period. When ordering at a seafood food stall in the fishing village, confirm the current seafood prices first to help avoid disputes over the bill.