Chongming Island Flower Expo 2021

**Chongming Island Adventure: A 2-Day Itinerary with Friends**

**Overview:**
– **Duration:** 2 days
– **Companions:** Friends
– **Visited Locations:** Chongming Island, Chongming People’s Square, Dongtan Wetland Park, Beihu Agricultural Tourism
– **Published:** 2021-04-11 at 22:58

**China Flower Expo 2021:**
From May 21 to July 2, the 10th China Flower Expo, themed “Blooming China Dream,” will be held on Chongming Island, the third-largest island in the country. This marks the first time the event has been organized in a rural setting, amidst forests, on Chongming Island. The expo park spans an area of 8840 acres, with an overall plan of ‘one heart, one axis, six pavilions, and six gardens.’

**Ticketing and Entry:**
– **Regular Ticket Price:** 120 yuan
– **Weekend Ticket Price:** 180 yuan
– **Children under 1.3 meters:** Free entry
– **Seniors:** No discounts
– **Group Tickets:** Require a two-day advance reservation
– **Entry:** With a valid ID card

**Pavilions and Attractions:**
– **Fuxing Pavilion:** 33,000 square meters with 35 exhibition booths from various provinces, cities, and municipalities.
– **Century Pavilion:** 12,000 square meters, an earth-covered flower slope building offering panoramic views of the Flower Expo park.
– **Bamboo and Rattan Pavilion:** 400 square meters dedicated to bamboo and rattan technology products, showcasing bamboo and rattan culture.
– **All Flowers Pavilion:** 5,400 square meters used for indoor flower arrangements by various branches of the Flower Association.
– **Flower Art Pavilion:** 5,400 square meters featuring new flower product displays from international and corporate groups.
– **Huaqi Hall:** 8,500 square meters, including dining, retail, and other public service areas.

**Transportation and Logistics:**
Chongming can be congested, so proper preparation is essential. The Flower Expo traffic control area operates from 8:00 to 21:00 during the expo period and adopts a one-way traffic circulation. Self-driving vehicles to the Flower Expo or within the control area should make a reservation one day in advance.

**Transportation Options:**
1. **Self-driving:** Shanghai Pudong > Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel Bridge > Chenhai Road > Panlong Road > Beiyan Road > Huabo Avenue > Flower Expo (booking in advance is emphasized).
2. **Public Transportation:**
– Shen Chong Line 3: Shanghai Metro Line 1 Wenshui Road Station to Chongming South Gate.
– Shen Chong Line 2: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Metro to Chongming Chenjia Town Hub Station.
3. **Ferry:** Light Rail Line 3, get off at Baoyang Road Station, and take a dedicated bus to Baoyang Road Dock – Chongming South Gate Port.
4. **Direct Shuttle:** Direct shuttles to the Flower Expo are available from Shanghai Xujiahui Tourism Center, People’s Square, and Wukang Plaza, departing at 7:30 am and returning at 3:30 pm.

**Surrounding Attractions:**
Chongming’s scenic spots are mainly distributed in three core areas: eastern, central, and western. A two-day tour is recommended, with a visit to other scenic spots on the second day. If the Flower Expo itinerary is a one-day trip and you find the return journey congested, consider visiting Zihai Lu Yuan Romantic Theme Park, just 1000 meters away from the main venue.

**Additional Activities:**
– Enjoy the lavender and participate in the lavender market music and food carnival event.
– Daytime entertainment and intangible cultural heritage projects are suitable for family outings.
– Evening light and music parties allow everyone to continue enjoying.
– Lavender souvenirs and Chongming specialties are cheaper than those inside the Flower Expo park.
– Experience camping in a sea of flowers by bringing your own tent or renting one there.

**Anticipation:**
The above are planning effect drawings; the true appearance will only be revealed when the park officially opens, making it highly anticipated.The Flower Expo Park has a total area of 8840 acres and an overall plan of ‘one heart, one axis, six pavilions, and six gardens’. The opening hours are from 8:00 to 21:00 during the Expo period. The ticket prices are 120 yuan on weekdays and 180 yuan on weekends. Children under 1.3 meters in height enter for free, but seniors do not qualify for free tickets. Group tickets must be booked two days in advance and entry is with a valid ID.

The six pavilions are as follows:
– Fuxing Pavilion: Total area of 33,000 square meters, used for 35 exhibition booths from various provinces, cities, and municipalities.
– Century Pavilion: Total area of 12,000 square meters, an earth-covered flower slope building where visitors can ascend to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Flower Expo Park.
– Bamboo and Rattan Pavilion: Area of 400 square meters mainly for the display of bamboo and rattan technology products, allowing visitors to learn about bamboo and rattan culture.
– Baihua Pavilion: Area of 5,400 square meters, used for indoor displays by various branches of the Flower Association.
– Flower Art Pavilion: Total area of 5,400 square meters, showcasing new flower products from international and corporate groups.
– Huaqi Hall: Total area of 8,500 square meters, a public service area for catering and retail.

The above are planning effect drawings, and the true appearance can only be revealed when the park officially opens, which is worth looking forward to.

As for transportation, it is well known that Chongming can be very congested, so doing your homework is essential. The Flower Expo traffic control area is in operation from 8:00 to 21:00 during the Expo period. For self-driving vehicles to the Flower Expo or within the control area, please make a reservation one day in advance. Those without a reservation should park outside the control area, where Flower Expo shuttle buses will provide transportation.

There are several transportation options to reach the Flower Expo:
1. Self-driving: Shanghai Pudong > Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel Bridge > Chenhai Highway > Panlong Highway > Beiyan Highway > Huabo Avenue > Flower Expo (reservation is strongly emphasized).
2. Public transport: ShenChong Line 3: Shanghai Metro Line 1 Wenshui Road Station to Chongming South Gate. ShenChong Line 2: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Metro to Chongming Chenjia Town Hub Station.
3. Ferry: Light Rail Line 3, get off at Baoyang Road Station, and there is a shuttle bus to Baoyang Road Dock – Chongming South Gate Port. This is a good option for those who want to avoid crowded routes and enjoy a ferry ride.
4. Direct bus: Direct buses to the Flower Expo are available from Shanghai Xujiahui Tourism Distribution Center, People’s Square, and Wukang Plaza, departing at 7:30 am and returning at 3:30 pm.

Surrounding attractions: The main scenic spots in Chongming are distributed in three core areas: east, central, and west. The eastern area is mainly Dongtan Wetland Park, the central area includes the Forest Park, Zihai Lu Yuan Romantic Theme Park, Qianwei Village, and Sanmin Cultural Village, where this Flower Expo is held. The western area is mainly Xisha Wetland and Mingzhu Lake Tourist Area.

The Chongming Flower Expo has a relatively long duration, and considering the itinerary, a two-day tour that includes other scenic spots in Chongming is recommended. On the second day, visitors can explore other attractions. For those with a one-day plan for the Flower Expo and who wish to avoid traffic congestion on the way back, a visit to the Zihai Lu Yuan Romantic Theme Park is an option. This park offers a more romantic and lively atmosphere compared to the professional and rigorous Flower Expo, located just 1000 meters away from the main venue. On the return journey, visitors can enjoy the lavender fields and participate in the Lavender Market Music and Food Carnival. The day-time entertainment and intangible cultural heritage projects are perfect for family outings, and the night-time light music party allows everyone to continue the fun. The lavender souvenirs in the market are excellent, and Chongming specialties are definitely cheaper than those inside the Flower Expo park. If you want to experience camping amidst a sea of flowers, tents can be brought along or rented there. The most cost-effective option is to purchase the Flower Expo Carnival package ticket that offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal, which includes a ticket to the Flower Expo and a ticket to the Carnival activities.

Chongming Cuisine: For tourists who wish to taste the local### Chongming Island’s Culinary Delights

#### Golden Melons
During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (around 1600 AD), Chongming Island was known for its golden melons, originally called ‘pearl melons.’ These melons are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, and 18 amino acids. They are known for their health benefits, including boosting energy, quenching thirst, strengthening the spleen, and clearing heat.

#### Chongming Mutton
Chongming White Goats, a local breed developed under specific water and soil conditions, have been named ‘Yangtze River Delta White Goats’ by the Ministry of Agriculture. These goats are a nationally protected and developed livestock breed. Chongming mutton and offal are not only delicious but also provide warmth to the stomach and spleen, nourish the kidneys, and strengthen the body and bones. We sampled both boiled and braised mutton, with the boiled offering a fresh taste and the braised being rich and very tasty.

#### Beihu Fish Head
Chongming’s Beihu, larger than West Lake, is located at the confluence of fresh water and the sea. Despite its strict protection, the fish in this lake are incredibly delicious, with a fine white texture that resembles tofu in taste and is rich in flavor.

#### Boiled Local Chicken
A farmhouse meal is best enjoyed with a portion of boiled chicken. This dish uses Chongming’s free-range chickens, known for their gleaming oily skin, firm, full, and non-woody meat, enhanced by dipping in seasonings.

#### Chongming Aged White Wine
Made from rice, this wine has a unique flavor that is sweet, slightly sour, and has a mellow aroma with moderate alcohol content. In 2008, it was rated as a ‘Geographical Indication Protected Product’ by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and in 2009, it was listed as a Shanghai intangible cultural heritage. Enjoy in moderation, as it has a strong aftertaste and can easily cause intoxication.

#### The Clearwater Crab
Chongming Island, surrounded by rivers on three sides and facing the East China Sea, has a unique estuary where saltwater and freshwater meet, making it an ideal breeding ground for Chinese mitten crabs. These crabs are exceptionally delicious and expensive, rarely found in the market. Only experts and locals can identify the genuine Chongming Clearwater Crab.

#### The Crab
A rare seafood specialty of Chongming, found only on the northern part of the island, living in the brackish water. Its flesh is delicious and has a very high protein content. Locals often catch them at night with flashlights or by fishing, providing great entertainment.

#### Chongming Rice Cake
The preparation of this cake involves glutinous rice and regular rice, as well as brown sugar and white sugar. Flavored with walnuts, pine nuts, melon seeds, and red and green threads, it can be eaten cold or steamed until soft, with a sticky and soft texture that is very tasty and suitable for offering to elders.

#### Sweet Sorghum
Chongming is known as the ‘Hometown of Sweet Sorghum’ in China. This variety is rich in various amino acids and nutrients, with a local saying that eating sweet sorghum is like hanging a nutrient solution.

In addition to these delicacies, Chongming’s plum fish, white lentils, Chongming yam, snails, white rice shrimp, and taro are also very famous.