Duration: 2 days. Time: February. Activities: Photography, Self-driving, Cultural Experience. Published on 2023-02-28 at 12:26 PM.
On my wife’s birthday, we embarked on a 2-day self-driving tour in the suburbs of Shanghai, covering a total distance of 146.3 kilometers.
On February 25, 2023 (Shanghai weather: sunny to cloudy, 2 to 9 degrees Celsius), we departed from our home in Pudong, Shanghai, at 11:10 AM. At 12:25 PM, we reached the Xujing toll station on the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, having traveled 27.3 kilometers. At 12:34 PM, we arrived at the Jiasong Highway toll station on the same expressway, with a total of 35.5 kilometers traveled and a toll fee of 5.23 yuan.
We checked into the Novotel Shanghai 卓越 Excel Hotel, a standard double room for 376 yuan (including double breakfast). The Novotel brand is part of the French Accor Group. The hotel is conveniently located on the north side of the old town of Qingpu, making it easy to access by car. The room size is modest but very clean. The breakfast is satisfactory, though the variety could be more diverse. When we checked out on Sunday and requested a late check-out, we were informed that it was not possible during weekends, which is a downside compared to other high-star hotels. Other services at the hotel are satisfactory; you can ask for more mineral water and they can provide firmer pillows. The underground parking lot has plenty of spaces and is a mechanical garage, which might be unfamiliar to new drivers. Check-in procedures are done on the 3rd floor where the hotel lobby is located.After dropping off our luggage, we drove to Zhujia Jiao Ancient Town. Parking lot. Zhujia Jiao Town in Qingpu District is one of the third batch of China’s famous historical and cultural towns. Standing on the Tai’an Bridge offers a great view of the water town. Dried plum and minced meat pie, 10 yuan each. The pickled vegetables at this shop in the ancient town are a must-try specialty. The Release of Life Bridge is a landmark of Zhujia Jiao. A milk tea shop next to the Release of Life Bridge. Pearl milk tea, 14 yuan. Dinner was at the Wanda Plaza in Qingpu, with ample parking spaces available. Mango and Pomelo dessert, 16 yuan. Roasted fish at Jiangbian City, a 248 yuan set meal. Sauce-flavored catfish. By the end of the night, we had traveled a total of 73.6 kilometers.
Old Qingpu City. The Qingpu City God Temple, separated from Qu Shui Garden by a wall. Qu Shui Garden, one of the top five classical gardens in Shanghai, with free admission. Qingxi Garden, home to the Wanshou Pagoda, also with free admission. Wanshou Pagoda, a cultural heritage site protected by the city of Shanghai. The Fuquan Mountain Site, a fifth batch of national key cultural heritage protection units. The parking lot of the Fuquan Mountain Site. The Chonggu Government Building. The Fuquan Mountain Site is located in Chonggu Town, not far from the Nantang Bridge.
On February 26, 2023 (Shanghai weather: sunny to cloudy, 4.3 to 9.8 degrees Celsius), the hotel’s breakfast buffet was available from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Sundays.
We set out on our journey and arrived at the Chonggu toll station on the Shanghai-Chang Expressway at 15:28 PM, after covering a distance of 95.3 kilometers. Continuing our trip, we reached the Jiangqiao toll station on the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway by 15:52 PM. At this point, we had traveled a total of 114.8 kilometers and incurred a toll fee of 11.17 yuan. Finally, at 17:26 PM, we made our way back home to Pudong, Shanghai, after completing a total journey of 146.3 kilometers.
