How about we escape the city’s frenzy for a slice of island life? This is Changxing Island. It is also known as “Long-Happy Island”. This island is a hidden gem with serene landscapes and rich agricultural heritage.
Changxing Island sits in the Yangtze River estuary. It is nestled between Chongming Island and Shanghai’s Pudong New Area. The island is part of Baoshan District. It is a convenient escape. A quick half-hour boat ride from Shanghai will get you here.
Changxing Island boasts fresh air. The island has earned several nicknames. Locals call it “Clean Island”, “the hometown of oranges”, and “Longevity Island”. Its natural environment and resources have fostered a thriving tourism industry.
Once here, you’ll discover a variety of attractions. The Shanghai Orange Grove is one of them. Also, there is the Mongolian Village Race Track. Hanging Beads Park is another highlight. Visitors can also explore the Shanghai Stunt Center. Xianfeng Resort, Shisha Wild Animal Park, Green Island Reed Marshes Maze and Star Island Resort & Country Club are other options.
The Shanghai Orange Grove is a must-see. It is famed for its “avant-garde tangerine”. These oranges are bright and smooth with thin peels and no seeds. They are juicy and sweet. The grove features rockeries and promenades. There is even a bonsai garden, a Mongolian Village, and a Conch House. A cultural promenade of citrus sits on the west side. In late spring and early summer, the aroma of white orange flowers fills the air. In late autumn, golden oranges hang temptingly from the branches.
This extensive citrus cultivation yields about 1.75 million kilograms annually. The main varieties include early ripening, Mandarin Satsuma, and navel oranges. These are exported to Canada and Russia. They go to northern China. Cities like Tianjin, Shenyang, Harbin, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui enjoy these oranges.
Beyond oranges, Changxing Island offers more adventures. Visitors can raft in reed marshes. They can pick up shells on the beach and look for crabs. They can also relax by the riverside.
Hanging Beads Park, or Chuizhu Yuan, features the style of classical gardens. The park spans 1,000 acres. Most of it is filled with orange trees. It is an ideal spot for orange picking in autumn.
Since the 1980s, the Orange Art Festival has been held each autumn. Tens of thousands of visitors come to enjoy the golden autumn and taste the oranges. It has become a popular Shanghai tourist destination. It is the country’s largest citrus production base. This place also serves as a demonstration and research base for citrus production in east China. It is Shanghai’s largest “green goods” production base.
Whether you seek natural beauty or agricultural delights, Changxing Island offers a refreshing escape. From orange groves to reed marshes, it is a place to relax.