Shajiabang · Yushan Shanghu Tourist Area

Shajiabang · Yushan Shanghu Tourist Area

The Shajiabang · Yushan Shanghu Tourist Area is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a national wetland park, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The Shajiabang · Yushan Shanghu Tourist Area is located in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. It draws inspiration from the landscape culture of the Jiangnan region, integrating humanities, ecology, and leisure. Yushan is a national forest park, named after Yu Zhong, an ancestor of the Wu people who lived during the Shang and Zhou dynasties and was buried here. It is an important birthplace of Wu culture in China. Adjacent to Yushan is Shanghu Lake, which got its name from Jiang Ziya (also known as Jiang Taigong), who lived in seclusion and fished here during the late Shang Dynasty. The lake features widespread wetlands and soaring egrets, making it one of China’s best ecological leisure tourism lakes. Shajiabang gained fame from the Peking Opera "Shajiabang," and has developed attractions such as the Revolutionary Tradition Education Zone, Hongshi Folk Culture Village, Hengjing Old Street, and Wetland Park. It is renowned both domestically and internationally for its red education tours, green ecological tours, golden gourmet tours, and film and television culture tours. On April 11, 2013, it was designated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Shajiabang Scenic Area

The Shajiabang Reed Marsh Scenic Area is situated on the picturesque shores of Yangcheng Lake. It enjoys convenient transportation: it is just over 10 kilometers north of downtown Changshu, 40 and 50 kilometers south of the Suzhou and Wuxi interchanges of the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway respectively, and 85 kilometers east via the Chang-Kun Highway to Shanghai. The Sujiahang Expressway, completed in 2003, has an interchange within the area, and Provincial Road 205 (reconstructed) and Xitai Road connect to it, making it an important node in the Yangtze River Delta expressway network. The entire area stands out in the tourism market with its unique Jiangnan water town pastoral scenery described as “reeds swaying, rice fragrant, and willows lining the banks.” Transportation is convenient: it is 80 kilometers east via the Chang-Kun Highway to Shanghai and 40 kilometers south to the Suzhou interchange of the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. The Sujiahang Expressway, completed in October 2003, along with Provincial Road 205 (reconstructed) and the soon-to-be-built Xitai Road, intersect near the scenic area, forming a vital hub in the Yangtze River Delta road transport network.

Covering an area of 2,500 mu, the Reed Marsh Scenic Area is a national patriotic education demonstration base. Its guiding philosophy is to respect nature and return to simplicity. The vast reed marshes, expansive waters, and dense greenery form the main elements of this natural green ecological scenic area in the Jiangnan water town. Drawing on historical facts, legendary tales, and cultural heritage from the Peking Opera "Shajiabang," the area is thoughtfully designed with scenic spots that enrich its content and vitality. Featuring water, fishing, rice, farming, and opera as highlights, performance and participatory activities are offered to fully immerse visitors. On the emerald waters, the creak of oars and fishermen's songs fill the air; amidst the lush greenery, birds chirp melodiously and the fragrance of reeds wafts through. The area offers a “Humanities & History Tour” where visitors can explore the stories of "Shajiabang" and follow the traces of characters like Sister Aqing and Guo Jianguang; a “Nature & Ecology Tour” that allows guests to escape urban noise and breathe fresh green air; and a “Water Town Gourmet Tour” where visitors can savor Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs and enjoy the poetic ambiance of “cracking crab claws while admiring chrysanthemums and toasting with wine.” With its unique charm, it enjoys widespread acclaim in the tourism market.

According to planning, an adjacent 87-hectare water area will be developed into a wetland ecological tourism zone. The transitional zone between the two areas will be transformed into an open supporting dining and commercial service district with distinct water town characteristics and a beautiful environment. Along the waterway lined with rows of willows and walls of reeds, visitors can enjoy views of the wetland ecological scenic area, the Reed Marsh Scenic Area, and the thousand-year-old Chongfu Temple. The route also connects to a picturesque island in the lake at the Shajiabang Resort of the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions, complementing and linking up with Changshu’s scenic spots.

That’s truly off to a great start. Isn’t flying a kite in the spring breeze like sending out wishes one by one?! Spring is the season for new beginnings. Red Stone Village is bustling with activity. Nestled in a sea of green, Red Stone Village comes alive.

Dining: The cuisine mainly features farm-style dishes from the Jiangnan water towns. The fish produced in the scenic area are particularly delicious, and the “June Yellow” crabs are in season.

Souvenirs: Blue calico series, reed painting series, bamboo and wood crafts, blood glutinous rice, Shajiabang free-range chicken, etc. The Jiangnan water town film and television base also offers handmade items such as small cloth shoes, small bamboo baskets, and straw sandals made on-site.

☆☆☆ Changshu Shajiabang ☆☆☆

Nanjing — Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway — Sujiahang Expressway — Shajiabang Exit, approximately 2 hours’ drive

Shanghai — Hu-Jia Expressway (A11) — Coastal Expressway — Sujiahang Expressway — Shajiabang Exit, approximately 1 hour’s drive

Hangzhou — Sujiahang Expressway — Shajiabang Exit, approximately 1.5 hours’ drive

Source: Jiangsu Provincial Forestry Bureau

Shajiabang Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Changshu City. It was called Hengjing Township in 1949, changed to a commune in 1958, renamed Ludang Commune in 1981, changed back to a township in 1983, and renamed Shajiabang Town in 1992. Located in the southern part of the city, it is 10 kilometers from the urban area. Covering an area of 32 square kilometers with a population of 19,000, the town is accessible via multiple roads and borders Yangcheng Lake to the south. It administers 22 village committees including Miaowang, Yongnan, Xinshi, Panhong, Xushi, Zhangjing, Lujia, Yanghao, Anquan, Xinjing, Gongbang, Sanjia, Caodang, Nijiaqiao, Xiabang, Beiqiao, Caobang, Wangcao, Shuangbang, Hubang, Qianbang, and Fisheries, as well as the Shajiabang residential committee... More details on Shajiabang Town++