Weng Shihui and Yang Di/Shanghai Daily news

Chongming Dongping National Forest Park is beckoning natural lovers to its 358 hectares, featuring quiet, wildness, and elegance. It is the perfect getaway spot for city dwellers who wish to get a breath of fresh air amongst tall, green trees and a crystal clear lake.
On the north side of Chongming Island, the forest park presents a picturesque view for every visitor and is Shanghai's largest man-made forest park.
The attraction of the park is that you have so much to enjoy, whatever the weather. Having a barbecue in the wildwood, relaxing alongside the beach, wandering in the plum blossom garden, grass skiing and horse riding are among the major attractions.
Grass Skiing
Grass skiing is packed with adventure and fun for all. One highlight of a visit to this exciting entertainment is the magnificent grass land - an amazing 10,000 square meters place, the largest in Yangtze River Delta.
Grass skiing appeared in the mid-1980s as a method of training for alpine skiing. Originating from downhill skiing, grass skiing is possible with the aid of the declining grasslands and tracks with wheels and polls.
The forest park will provide the equipment, including a helmet, polls and knee pads, to participants.
Beginners can try this exciting sport on a 7,000-square-meter grassy area under the guidance of professional coaches. Depending upon the skill of the grass skier, high speeds and jumps can be navigated.
In the forest park, a grass skiing competition is organized during the annual Chongming Tourist Festival (September 26 to 27). This competition will be taken up by several teams, organized by a company or a group of grass skiing lovers.
Colorful Plants
The national forest park includes 280 hectares of timber forests, 28 hectares of orchards and 20 hectares of flowers and plants, where one can find a total of more than 500 species of trees and flowers. It has clean and fresh air, and a pleasant climate, with an average temperature of 18.6 degree Celsius from March to November.
The dawn redwood dominates the park's forests. It is the only ideal plant suitable for the soil in this land.
Its abundant trees, bamboo groves, flowers, grass, orchards, varieties of bird life and winding paths leading deep into the brooding mountains tempt visitors to linger.
Poolside Barbecue
Forest Beach is another highlight which provides tourists a flexible and breezy environment. People on holidays delightedly run into the forest beach to enjoy the sunshine.
If hiking alongside the beach makes you feel hungry, bring something to barbecue. The park offers a lot of areas for people to picnic. From the time the food is ready for the grill and the coals are ready to use, it takes only 45 minutes to cook a meal.
In addition, beer halls, fast-food restaurants, clubs, villas and a commercial street have been built in the forest.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing has become popular in recent years. It is a test of one's self and combines challenge with adventure. It builds up body strength, gives people courage in overcoming difficulties and is psychologically and physically beneficial.
As the first outdoor rock climbing center in Shanghai, the artificial wall was built in accordance with international standards and is 14 meters tall and eight meters wide. Competition will be held during the Tourist Festival in late September.