The "Bald Cypress Wonder" of Qingxi Country Park

Qingxi Country Park is the only country park in Shanghai featuring wetlands. Its unique landscape of interwoven lakes, beaches, marshes, and islands, along with its iconic water forest, attracts many visitors. In late autumn, the bald cypress forest, ablaze with colors, is one of the park’s most spectacular sights. The best viewing period is from late November to early December, when the bald cypress leaves turn red, yellow, orange, and other colors, reflecting beautifully in the water to create a poetic and picturesque "water fairy tale forest." This over 60-acre water forest is a unique landscape in Shanghai, known as the "Bald Cypress Wonder." 🌳 Qingxi Country Park One-Day In-Depth Tour Guide 📍 Itinerary Overview Qingxi Country Park is famous for its unique water forest and wetland scenery. In late autumn (late November to early December), the bald cypress forest is ablaze with colors, making it a natural wonder not to be missed in Shanghai. This itinerary centers on the ecological conservation area, combining wetland exploration and photography experiences, while balancing convenient transportation and a comfortable pace. 🌅 Morning: Explore the Water Forest - 08:00 Departure It is recommended to drive or take Metro Line 17 to Dongfang Green Boat Station, then transfer to Jinze Route 7 to Qingxi Country Park. If driving, navigate to the P1 parking lot, then take the sightseeing shuttle (30 RMB/person) directly to the ecological conservation area. - 09:30 Water Forest at Qingxi Country Park In late autumn, the bald cypress forest displays a gradient of red and yellow, reflected on the water like an oil painting. It is recommended to stroll along the wooden boardwalk and photograph the "Cypress and Egret Shadows" and "Reed Snow Maze." Birdwatchers can bring binoculars to spot rare birds such as egrets and kingfishers. - 11:00 Shuiyang Wetland Reeds sway beside the wetland boardwalk. You can experience the birdwatching hut (1 RMB per visit) and observe water birds like the water rail and black water chicken. 🍲 Noon: Farmhouse Lunch at Lianhu Village Recommended farmhouse dishes at Lianhu Village include must-try rice with vegetables, river fresh soup, and white-cut chicken, costing about 50 RMB per person. After lunch, take a stroll around Lianhu Village to enjoy golden rapeseed flower fields (in spring) or autumn rice field scenery. 🌾 Afternoon: Lakeside Walk and Ecological Experience - 13:30 Dalian Lake Lakeside Trail Walk or rent a bicycle (15 RMB/hour) along the lake, passing the Red Pomelo Cultural Park and Science Popularization Island, experiencing the pastoral scenery where wetlands and farmland intertwine. In autumn, it is recommended to photograph the ginkgo avenue with falling leaves. - 15:00 In-Depth Tour of the Ecological Conservation Area Re-enter the conservation area; the soft afternoon light is ideal for shooting backlit silhouettes of the bald cypress forest. It is recommended to visit the "Peach Blossom Ferry" viewing platform for a panoramic view of the wetlands. - 16:00 Prepare to Return The last sightseeing shuttle is around 16:30. It is advised to arrive early at the conservation area entrance to wait and avoid missing it. 📸 Photography Tips 1. Best spots: corners of the wooden boardwalk, opposite the birdwatching hut, and the conservation area entrance corridor bridge. 2. Equipment suggestions: telephoto lens for birds, wide-angle lens for forest panoramas, tripod for long-exposure water reflections. 3. Lighting times: early morning mist (7:00-8:30) or afternoon slanting sunlight (15:00-16:30) are the golden hours for photography.