Jinao Mountain Park

Jinao Mountain Park

Jinao Mountain is a historic site and scenic gem of Chongming. With its long history, the passage of time has shrouded it in mystery, and many beautiful legends about the mountain have been passed down through generations. One story says that Zhao Yanwei of the Song Dynasty mentioned Jinao Mountain in his *Eastern Patrol Record*: “There was originally Jinao Mountain and Shanzhou facing each other across the sea, with the Xiangfu Pagoda Monastery on the mountain.” Another tale says that during the Song Dynasty, there was a severe drought on Chongming one year, causing crops to wither and die. A golden turtle from the sea saved the suffering farmers by emerging to spout water, but was struck dead by thunder. To repay the turtle’s life-saving kindness and prevent its body from being exposed, local farmers carried earth to build a hill, which they named Jinao Mountain, and built a temple nearby in its memory. Yet another story goes that during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, Shen Wenheo, a native of Chongming, returned triumphant as a successful third-place scholar in the imperial examination and hired workers to construct Jinao Mountain overnight.

In fact, Chongming Island originally had no mountains—the Jinao Mountain range was artificially built. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, it was located in Dongren Township, Sancha, serving as a navigational landmark. It was named after the mountain visited by Emperor Gaozong of the Song, though the original mountain had long collapsed. The current Jinao Mountain was reconstructed in the seventh year of the Kangxi reign (1668), featuring nine peaks with the central peak being the highest, topped with a scripture depository. A Jade Lotus Pond was dug in front of the mountain, while a bamboo grove was planted behind it. Numerous famous flowers and rare trees were also planted. In the 44th year of the Qianlong reign (1777 AD), Magistrate Fan Guotai funded its renovation,

adding bridges, pavilions, terraces, towers, waterside pavilions, and moon-viewing gardens, among other attractions. At that time,

the park already featured

eight scenic views: “the bell chime from the longevity temple, the faint fragrance of lotuses on the clear river, osmanthus clusters under shaded courtyards, distant views from the Turtle Peak, snow-covered plum groves, green water encircling the pavilion, newly sprouted willows along the long dike, and fish-watching at the back hall.” Visitors praised these sights profusely, with some composing poems such as “Jinao Mountain’s temple is a timeless painting, the river’s water an ageless zither without strings,” and “Within the temple’s eaves, green hills meet the moon; before the roof, blue waters blend with the sky.” This picturesque Jinao Mountain Park was later destroyed by Japanese invaders and reactionary forces. By the eve of liberation, only the crumbling distant view from the Turtle Peak (Zhenhai Pagoda) remained.

After liberation, Jinao Mountain was designated as a cultural relics protection unit by the county government. With support from relevant municipal and county departments, funds were allocated for several rounds of restoration. By the end of 1995, projects including perimeter walls, the mountain gate, the Green Water Encircling Pavilion, the Jade Lotus Pond, the Zhenhai Pagoda, the Cool Cave, the Moon-Viewing Bridge, the Waterside Pavilion, the imitation straw-roofed pavilion (Ningde Pavilion), hiking stone steps, roads and ground surfaces, and tree planting had been completed. The park covers an area of 1.2 hectares and is located 2.5 kilometers from the county town.

Today, Jinao Mountain has been restored into a quaint and

compact park with concentrated scenic spots. Lush with green trees, birdsong, floral scents, tranquil surroundings, and fresh air, it is an ideal destination for sightseeing, photography, and relaxation.

Address: Laoxiaohe East End, Aoshan Road, Chengqiao Town, Chongming District, Shanghai

Suggested Duration

1–2 hours

Transportation

Located in Aoshan Village, Houjia Town, Chengqiao Town, Chongming County. Accessible by self-driving or public transport.

1. Self-driving: Middle Ring Road – Xiangyin Road Tunnel – Wuzhou Avenue – G40 Shanghai–Shaanxi Expressway (Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge) – Chenhai Highway – Gulangyu Road – Aoshan Road – Jinao Mountain Park

2. Public Transport:

① From Baoyang Road Pier in Baoshan District, take a ferry directly to Baozhen Pier, then transfer to the Nanbao Line to reach Chengqiao Town;

② Or take the Pengshi Line (Pengpu New Village ~ Shidongkou Pier) to Baoshan Shidongkou Pier, then take a boat to Chengqiao Town in Chongming. Walk east along Nandao Road, cross the intersection with Dongmen Road to reach Aoshan Road, then continue east along Aoshan Road;

③ 2.5 km east of Nandemen Port Pier; accessible on foot or by taxi

Admission Fee

5 RMB per person

Opening Hours

8:30-16:30