Shanghai Daily News

Chongming County, the world's biggest alluvial island, is five times as large as downtown Shanghai. It has taken more than 1,000 years to create its present form after two smaller islands joined together.

Unlike the middle and eastern portion of this green island which have been heavily reported on by the local media, Luhua Town, lying in the southwestern part, was tideland 30 years ago. After being enclosed for cultivation purposes in 1971, the town now has a population of about 9,400 who produce an annual agricultural output of 200 million yuan (US$25 million).

With the the 20-day Chongming Tourism Festival beginning on September 17, Luhua Town is opening its doors to visitors to let them experience its excellent sight-seeing agricultural destinations. Several are new and provide a different outlook to other attractions on the island.

Xisha Wetland

With 7 million yuan in government funding, this three-square-kilometer wetland contributes a lot to the town's 65 percent of green space. Designated as the "the kidney of earth," such wetlands improves air quality and keeps in check the ecological balance of nature.

Currently, more than 60 species of birds, fish and plants are found in this ecological area that previously was only accessible to scientists and researchers. As a newly-established tourist area, a wooden platform viewing area winds into a lake and forest area covered with dense foliage. A wooden tower provides a good vantage point for bird watching. This park will officially open to the public next month.

Address: Xisha Wetland Park

Ticket: 60 yuan (includes admission to the nearby Pearl Lake)

Cricket Garden

The Luhua cricket has been a well-known species of fighters around Shanghai for decades. Owing to its reputation, Lugang Village has become known as "Cricket Village." During the tourism festival, the fourth Cricket Trade Fair is to be held in the village garden. The local farmers have long entertained themselves with cricket fighting and for centuries, the activity was a platform for gambling. Now fewer crickets are found in the wild. The garden's manager Zhang Luying said many farmers now raised crickets commercially and they hoped to be able to introduce the species to more areas of the country to increase their income.

Tourists can visit the cricket breeding rooms and pick out one of the insects during the fair.

Address: Lugang Village

Admission: Free

Pearl Lake

Pearl Lake was Luhua Town's first tourist attraction when it opened two years ago. The two-story, red brick, panoramic dining hall is constructed in Western style. Its delicate inner decorations and wonderful service, along with its lake view, provides for an impressive dining experience. A teahouse along the lake provides an ideal escape for city dwellers seeking a tranquil refuge from life's daily grind.

Resident Center and Artist Village

A reading room has been established in the garden for local residents who previously had difficulty in getting access to books in the remote village. Hundreds of books, as well as specialized dictionaries and farming periodicals, can be found here. A rose garden is currently under construction nearby and will open in December. The garden is surrounded by a 25,000-square-meter orange grove. Each October, the picking season for oranges, the whole village is decorated with everything to do with the citrus fruit.

In addition to such leisure facilities, villas will be available for artists to rent next year to encourage their creativity in the tranquil environment.

Address: Lugang Village

Water Civilization Museum

At this specialty museum, exhibits on geology, geomorphology and the exploitation process of the world's rivers, especially the Yangtze River Delta region, are featured.

The eight exhibition halls provide detailed information on the world's river culture, such as the Mississippi Valley in the United States and the Nile River Delta in Egypt, as well as the formation of Chongming's muddy coastline and tidal flats.

In its multimedia hall, visitors can take an interactive quiz on a display screen to test their geology knowledge.

They can also take a lift to the museum's second floor to get a view overlooking Luhua Town. At a height of 38 meters, it provides a good view of the Chongxi Water Lock which controls the water levels between the Yangtze and the island.

Address: Lugang Village

Note: Opens in October

Getting there:

From Shidongkou Dock, take a ferry to the South Gate Dock on Chongming Island. From Gangdong Road, turn left on Chenhai Road and drive west to Lugang Village.