If you're looking for a fun and healthy way to explore the scenic and cultural attractions of the Sheshan National Tourist Resort – the only natural mountain resort, located in East China's Shanghai – there are certainly thrills to be had in joining a cycling tour. You'll be amazed by the charms of nature and history and have an unforgettable adventure to boot.
The cycling tour covers the following stops:
Yuehu Lake Sculpture Park: Admire the beautiful sculptures by the lake that reflect the four seasons. The sculptures are scattered along the lakeside, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. Many sculptures express the idea that water is the source of life and the hope that people will love and protect nature.
Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park: Explore the ancient cultural heritage of Guangfulin, whose recorded history dates back about 6,000 years. The park displays relics from four different cultures – the Songze Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Guangfulin Culture and the Maqiao Culture. You can learn about the history and origin of Shanghai and appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.
The Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park is the perfect place to learn about the history and origin of Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
Chenshan Botanical Garden: Discover the varieties of plants and flowers to be found in the largest botanical garden in East China, named after Chenshan Mountain. The south slope of the mountain had a deep pit formed by quarrying, which was transformed into an impressive quarry garden.
East Sheshan Mountain Park: Enjoy the bamboo scenery and its fragrant bamboo shoots, which impressed Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when he visited here. He wrote Lansun Mountain – or Orchid Bamboo Shoot Mountain – on a stone tablet to praise them. The park also has historical and cultural significance, as it was the place where Xu Xiake, a great traveler and geographer, started his journey and met Chen Jiru, a famous writer and calligrapher.
The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland hotel is a singular sight, have been built on the cliff of an 88-meter-deep quarry pit. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland: Marvel at an architectural wonder, with this extraordinary complex built on the cliff of an 88-meter-deep quarry pit. It is the world's first hotel built in an abandoned quarry pit and it holds the world record for the lowest altitude hotel. The place blends in with the natural landscape and offers a unique experience for guests.
Tianma Mountain Park: Witness the spectacular views of Tianma Mountain, which has a steep terrain and a shape like a flying horse. It is said that Gan Jiang, a swordsmith in Wu State in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), forged swords here. The park has a long history and rich culture, as was once a Buddhist site with many temples.
West Sheshan Mountain Park: Visit the beautiful natural scenery, fascinating religious culture, dense bamboo groves, graceful peaks and magnificent buildings on top of West Sheshan Mountain. The most eye-catching building is the impressive red-brick and granite church, which is Sheshan Catholic Church. Next to it is a dome-shaped building, which is the Sheshan Observatory. There's also a circular road from the west gate to the top of the mountain, which is about 1.5 kilometers long. Along the way, you can enjoy the breeze and the shade of the trees.
The dome-shaped Sheshan Observatory and the red-brick Sheshan Catholic Church stand on the top of West Sheshan Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
