A Day Trip to Chongming Qianwei Village: Small Place, Big Joy

**Trip to Chongming Yindong Village: A One-Day Adventure** Date: November 13th, 2010 Weather: Overca[...]

**Trip to Chongming Yindong Village: A One-Day Adventure**

Date: November 13th, 2010
Weather: Overcast

I had always dreamt of visiting Chongming to witness the spectacular sight of migratory birds at Dongtan and the myriad birds by the water. These avian wonders are said to be visible only during the transitional seasons of spring and autumn, with early morning being the prime time to see them. My ideal plan was to arrive in Chongming on a Saturday, explore Yindong Village, and then set off early the next day to Dongtan for the sunrise and the birds. This would have been a perfect two-in-one trip.

However, our plans had to change due to a member of our group having only one day available, thus transforming our two-day trip into a one-day adventure. Despite this, I was determined to make the most of it and return to Chongming another time.

We decided to be flexible and spontaneous, abandoning our original itinerary. Upon arrival in Chongming, we took a bus to Chenjia Town, which is conveniently located near both Yindong Village and Dongtan. As soon as we disembarked, we found many unlicensed taxis available for negotiation, which suited our impromptu travel plan perfectly.

We inquired about the best places to visit and were advised that Qianwei Village and the Forest Park were more interesting. So, we prepared to visit these two nearby locations. The cost for a three-person trip in an unlicensed taxi was 95 yuan, with an additional 5 yuan for a guide.

Despite the change in plans, our one-day trip to Chongming was an adventure filled with spontaneity and new discoveries. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best trips are the ones that take us off the beaten path.Embarking on our journey to Chongming, our driver proved to be a fervent enthusiast, narrating tales of the island throughout the drive. We made sure to show our appreciation for his informative efforts with a tip. The trip from Chenjia Town to Qianwei Village was a short one, covering a mere 40 kilometers and taking approximately 40 minutes.

Upon arrival, we sat down to a delightful meal at a local farmhouse restaurant. The dishes were sumptuous and memorable: eggplant with dried shrimp, soft eggplant, chicken feather greens that had a natural sweetness, braised fish with a rich flavor, and a soup featuring pickled vegetables and whitebait that was incredibly fresh. The entire meal cost us 100 yuan, and we left the restaurant feeling satisfied, a sentiment that was a stark contrast to our usual dining experiences in the city.

After lunch, we ventured to explore the attractions of Qianwei Village, paying an admission fee of 40 yuan each. While the price might seem steep for such a small village, the good spirits we carried and the simple pleasures we discovered along the way made it all worth it. The village boasts six attractions, each with its own charm.

The first attraction, whose name I can’t quite recall, was a fascinating mix of a river, a bridge, and photographs of national leaders like Hu Jintao who had visited Qianwei Village. The area also offered calligraphy and paintings for sale. My friend, known online as ‘cat’, was particularly delighted to purchase a painting depicting a cat and a dog becoming friends, a charming piece indeed.

The second attraction was a small zoo, featuring peacocks in cages and a black swan that strolled along the path. We had the unique experience of feeding it peanuts, which it seemed to relish. This was my first encounter with a black swan, and it was right here in this quaint zoo. The zoo also housed horses and sheep, making it the smallest zoo I’ve ever visited, a rarity in itself.

Despite the modest size of Qianwei Village, the day was filled with pleasant surprises and experiences that made it a memorable outing.After leaving the zoo, we stumbled upon a horse riding area. There were two horses in total, and my friend, who had never ridden a horse before and was a bit timid, was led around by a staff member. Surprisingly, the photos we took turned out to be very beautiful.

Next, we visited the third attraction, the Fossil Pavilion. It houses tree fossils that are a billion years old. Some of these fossils have become similar to jade, slightly transparent, yet still retaining the shape of trees. Adjacent to the Fossil Pavilion is the root carving art display, which features numerous shapes that I think surpass even hairstyles due to the higher plasticity of roots.

The fourth attraction we explored was the herb garden, which took us about 20 minutes to reach on foot. Conveniently, it is located near the exit, making it our last stop. We bypassed the leisure square with only a basketball court and the like, and another attraction that was not available. In the herb garden, we smelled mint and saw lavender, although it was not the flowering season. We also picked pomelos at 6 yuan per kilogram; I’m not sure about the market price, but it felt quite good.

The highlight of our visit was making a homemade soap. I made a butterfly-shaped one, which is actually quite simple. You just need to choose the fragrance and the shape of the soap. First, melt the soap material with a special machine, then pour it into the mold, remove the foam, and put it into the cooling machine. After half an hour, the soap is ready. I made a purple lavender-scented butterfly soap. By the way, the language of lavender is ‘waiting for love’. I wonder when my love will come.After the tour, it was already past 4 o’clock and there was no time to go to the forest park. There is a bus right at the entrance of the Trendy Village to South Gate. It takes 45 minutes and costs 6 yuan, which is quite expensive. After walking for 5-10 minutes, there is a bus at the West Gate Station that goes directly to Shanghai Gonghexin Road, near the Weishui Road subway station. Ending the day’s itinerary, the three of us were very happy.