Shanghai Self-Driving Tour | One-Day Dianshan Lake Route Guide (Personally Tested)

I. 🌟 Trip Highlights 1. Two Ancient Towns: Zhujiajiao and Jinze - one commercial and one secluded. The former is full of vibrant local life, while the latter preserves the original watertown landscape 2. Lake Scenic Belt: Includes popular landmarks like Rainbow Bridge and True Love Pier, featuring both lake views and wetland landscapes 3. Cultural Easter Eggs: Includes Dream of the Red Chamber themed garden and thousand-year-old temple, enriching your travel experience II. 🗓 Itinerary 1. 08:30-10:00 In-depth Tour of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Core experiences: Stroll across Fangsheng Bridge, visit Kezhi Garden (ticket: 20 yuan), take a hand-rowed boat (60 yuan/boat) through the water alleys Food: Grandma's rice dumplings, pressed meat, candied lotus root (at "Han Dalong Sauce Garden" on North Street) Special note: The ancient town is free to enter, combined ticket for small attractions inside costs 60 yuan, recommended to choose 1-2 key spots to visit 2. 10:30-12:00 Brief Visit to Oriental Land Navigation: 6888 Huqingping Road (3 km from Zhujiajiao, 10-minute drive) Activities: 1-hour cycling (bike rental 30 yuan/hour) along Wisdom Avenue, visit the replica aircraft carrier (boarding fee: additional 20 yuan) Hidden activity: Children's play area near the south gate is suitable for family interaction, lawn areas available for short breaks 3. 12:30-13:30 Lakeside Lunch Restaurants: "Fisherman's Wharf" in Oriental Land (mainly lake-fresh seafood, about 80 yuan per person) "Maosun Pavilion" in Zhujiajiao (garden-style restaurant, famous for braised eel with pork) Alternative: Bring your own picnic mat and enjoy a lakeside picnic at Dianshan Lake West Shore Camping Ground (navigate to "Dianshan Lake West Shore Camping Ground") 4. 14:00-15:30 Lake Scenic Belt True Love Pier (navigate to "Dianshan Lake True Love Pier") Features: Lakeside boardwalk + white chapel building, perfect for artistic photos Stay duration: 30 minutes Rainbow Bridge (navigate to "Dianshan Lake Rainbow Bridge") Features: 1.47 km long bridge, bridge reflection on the lake surface looks like a rainbow in the evening Photography tip: Take panoramic shots from the middle section railing, use wide-angle lens 5. 16:00-17:30 Slow Time at Jinze Ancient Town Navigation: Jinxi Road, Qingpu District (15 km from Rainbow Bridge, 20-minute drive) Must-see attractions: Puji Bridge (Shanghai's oldest stone arch bridge) Yihao Zen Temple (thousand-year-old ginkgo tree and Yuan Dynasty murals) Cultural experience: Enjoy tea and storytelling at "Wenqu Bookstore" (reservation required) 6. 18:00 Return Journey Route options: Huqingping Road → Songze Elevated Road (no highway fee, 1-hour drive) Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway (highway fee 30 yuan, 50-minute drive) III. 🚗 Driving Tips Parking information: Zhujiajiao: Xinfeng Road parking lot (10 yuan/day) Oriental Land: Gate 1 parking lot (10 yuan/day) Jinze Ancient Town: Free parking lot on Jinxi Road IV. Road Condition Tips: Some sections of the lake road have no dividers, be careful when passing oncoming vehicles Cai Bang Village section is one-way; enable "truck navigation" mode to avoid this area V. 🍃 Seasonal Activities Spring (March-May): Rapeseed fields and peach blossoms at Cai Bang Village (navigate to "Cai Bang Village") Autumn (September-November): Thousand-year-old ginkgo leaves covering the ground at Baoguo Temple (navigate to "Baoguo Temple") Winter (December-February): Oriental Land Ice and Snow Carnival (opens in late December)