Chongming Mingzhu Lake Park

Chongming Mingzhu Lake Park

Chongming Mingzhu Lake Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Mingzhu Lake Park is located at the southwestern tip of Chongming Island. Built around the island’s largest natural lake, Mingzhu Lake, it boasts beautiful scenery. The deep, clear waters of Mingzhu Lake are surrounded by lush trees and offer expansive views. Supporting amenities include water sports, lakeside dining, leisure cafes, a breeding and research base for rare resources in the Yangtze River estuary along with an exhibition hall, boat rentals, fishing docks, and agricultural sightseeing and leisure picking gardens. Nearby, there is the naturally wild and vast Xisha Wetland; the picturesque Taoyuan Water Town that blends with the water; tens of thousands of acres of citrus orchards; and cultural sites such as Xisha Mingdi and Xilai Farmstead, which showcase local traditions in Ming- and Qing-style architecture.

The waters of Mingzhu Lake are crystal clear, the environment is serene, and the natural scenery is stunning. Testing shows that the air quality of Mingzhu Lake meets national first-class standards, the water quality is second-class, and the soil is clean, unpolluted, and free of contaminants. The lake stretches approximately 3,500 meters from north to south and 500–700 meters from east to west, with the deepest point reaching 7–8 meters below the surface, making it comparable to Hangzhou’s West Lake. To the west of the lake lies a sprawling citrus orchard covering ten thousand acres, complementing Mingzhu Lake and enhancing each other’s beauty. Mingzhu Lake is just a stone’s throw away from the green embankment of the Yangtze River. Here, visitors can enjoy the pleasant scenery of “lush woods by the long dike, with lake waters merging with the sky,” as well as the tranquil scene of “flowers falling unseen by trees, and birds singing alone over a spring-fed pond.” The southern shore of Mingzhu Lake is also the starting point of Chongming’s new attraction, the “Green Dragon Embankment.” Standing atop the verdant dike and overlooking the splendor of Mingzhu Lake allows one to fully experience the wonderful harmony between man and nature, and to appreciate the wonder and greatness of creation.

Mingzhu Lake Park is situated in the southwestern part of Chongming Island, the third-largest island in China. It connects northward to Qinglong Port, separated from the mighty Yangtze River by just a dike, and is the largest natural freshwater lake on Chongming. Originally a tributary of the southern branch of the Yangtze River, it was artificially dammed and enclosed in the 1970s. The park now covers a total area of 6,500 mu, including 3,000 mu of water surface. The lake stretches over 3,500 meters from north to south and 500–700 meters from east to west. It is home to more than ten types of fish, including black carp, grass carp, silver carp, common carp, and bream, and has abundant fish and crab resources. The aquatic ecological environment is well-preserved, with clear waters, a serene setting, and beautiful natural scenery. Testing confirms that the air quality reaches national first-class standards, the water quality is second-class, and the soil is clean, unpolluted, and free of contaminants—making it an ideal destination that showcases the harmony between humans and nature, and fulfills the desire to return to nature for relaxation and vacation.

Mingzhu Lake shines even brighter with its unique features of a “natural lake and dense forests.” The landscape design and the lake complement each other harmoniously. The water conservation forest encircling the lake spans 2,500 mu, where over 800,000 precious trees of more than 50 species—including camphor and magnolia—have been planted. A large number of wildflowers, grasses, and natural vegetation have been preserved intentionally. Together with the surrounding lush woods and dense river networks, the area attracts dozens of bird species such as silver gulls, herons, and egrets. Mingzhu Lake is also a protected habitat for cormorants on Chongming. The shaded paths through the forest around the lake seem to stretch endlessly. Strolling along these tree-lined trails, you can enjoy the sounds of insects and birds, watch butterflies fluttering, and see flocks of birds soaring overhead—offering a chance to breathe in the essence of a forest ocean and feel the wonders of nature.

Within Mingzhu Lake lies a scenic spot called “Soaring Upwards.” When you’re out on the lake, the endless expanse of water brings a refreshing, moist sensation, as if you’re immersed in a sea of green and a world of water—offering a truly delightful experience. It’s a masterpiece where natural scenery and artistic design blend perfectly. There is also a long bridge in the lake, so narrow that only two people can walk side by side, known as the Lovers’ Bridge. It’s said that couples who walk across this bridge will be in love forever. Of course, this is just a beautiful wish—love is like a greenhouse flower that needs careful nurturing. As you stroll across the bridge, you might see couples riding tandem bikes along the forest paths, people lazily sunbathing on the lawns, or simply enjoy the wildflowers and grasses along the shores. Suddenly, a speedboat whizzing across the lake will snap your attention back with sights and sounds, sure to excite you for quite a while. The beautiful scenery will make you linger and reflect deeply—it’s truly like “traveling within a painting, with emotions cast upon the blue waters.”

Address: No. 333 Sanhua Highway, Chongming District, Shanghai

Type: Urban Park

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Opening Hours:

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Transportation

Located at the southwestern corner of Chongming Island, it is accessible by car or public transport

1. By Car:

① From downtown Shanghai (Puxi) – Take A20 – Xiangyin Road Outer Ring Tunnel – Wuzhou Avenue – Enter in the direction of Pudong Airport – Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge Toll Gate – Turn left onto Chenhai Highway – Sanhua Highway – Arrive at Mingzhu Lake Park

② From downtown Shanghai (Pudong) – Take A20 – Exit at Wuzhou Avenue – Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge Toll Gate – Turn left onto Chenhai Highway – Sanhua Highway – Arrive at Mingzhu Lake Park

2. By Bus: Take the NanNiu Line bus and get off at the Chenhai Highway Sanhua Road stop

Ticket Price:

45 RMB