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Great bike trips around the city
By Tan Weiyun |
September 14, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTUMN is one of the best seasons to bicycle. With clear skies more frequent, crisp fresh air and golden tree leaves, it makes for pleasant bicycle outings. Shanghai offers a variety of autumn landscapes from the busy downtown to the tranquil countryside. Many of the city's districts have launched bike rental services and it makes getting out there to ride easier and more convenient.
So get your gear on and start pedaling.
Sheshan Hill, Songjiang District
Rent a bike at Sheshan Hill Station on Metro Line 9 and you can take a casual ride along the tree-flanked avenue straight to Sheshan Forest Park and Chenshan Botanic Park, which has been a popular spot for spending a leisurely afternoon.
The park has three gates and in front of each gate there is enough space to park your bicycle.
Covering an area of more than 200 hectares, the botanic park boasts a waterfall and a big lake. But the park's highlight is the three giant greenhouses featuring plants from rainforests and deserts, as well as some rare species.
After checking out the sights at the botanic park, ride along Linyinxin Avenue to the nearby Yuehu Sculpture Park. It features more than 30 art works created by sculptors from China, Japan and the United States.
After that, ride along Waiqingsong Road toward Sheshan Forest Park, one of the most-visited natural tourist attractions in the city.
The park is divided into the eastern hill and the western hill, both with free admission.
It only takes about half an hour to go up and down the eastern hill. Most people come here to have a barbecue.
The western hill is famed for a Catholic church and an observatory. The church, known as the second largest cathedral in East Asia, remains intact and features European architecture. The observatory is a regular meeting place for amatuer astronomers.
Where to rent a bike
The bike rental service center is at Metro Line 9's Sheshan Hill Station. A 200 yuan (US$31) deposit and identification documents (ID card or social security card) are necessary to rent a bike. There are many bike stations around Sheshan area including the forest, botanic and sculpture parks.
Wukang Road, Xuhui District
Away from the urban crowds and noise, Wukang Road in the old downtown area is a street that offers riders the tranquility and elegance of old Shanghai.
Wukang Mansion (former Normandie Apartment) sitting at the junction of Wukang and Huaihai roads, characteristic of French Renaissance architecture, was built in 1924. It was the work of the Hungarian architect Laszlo Hudec.
The mansion, seen from the west, looks like a boat. Exterior designs, such as arcade, corner balcony and classic pediment, are all typical of French Renaissance architecture.
Not far from the mansion, a red-roof, white-walled house stands out. The Mediterranean-style house was once the Italian consulateand now it is a branch office building of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
Built in 1932, the house was designed with porches in the east, west and south on the first floor. The southern part features an arch porch with ceiling-high French windows, gable walls, circular arches and flat arches.
A few steps away from the Mediterranean house is the former residence of Huang Xing (1874-1916), a Chinese revolutionary leader. The English countryside villa today has been turned into a service center for tourists. Exquisite models and oil paintings of old houses are displayed in the spacious main hall.
Other historic buildings on Wukang Road include the former residence of Ba Jin (1904-2005), one of the most-read writers in China, and the villa of the political leader Tang Shaoyi (1862-1938).
Where to rent a bike
The bike rental service center of Xuhui District is on 393 Wukang Road. For more information, call 6436-9592.
Eastern Zone, Yangpu District
This trip offers a different riding experience. Unlike the narrow streets downtown, roads in Yangpu are much wider.
You can stop at Jiangwan Stadium, which is much older than most of the city's stadiums. Built in 1935, the structure was made largely of red bricks and there is a gorgeous embossment on the eastern and western entrance gates.
Ride along Changhai Road until you reach Shanghai University of Sport (it's impossible to miss), the first higher education institution for sports after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
The college's main building is based on Chinese imperial architecture from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and one can be forgiven if they mistakenly think they are entering the Forbidden City.
The next stop is new Jiangwan City, where bicycle riders can enjoy a beautiful sunset as kites soar high in the sky among the birds.
Ride a bit further and you can check out Huangxing Park, which is home to dozens of black swans.
Where to rent a bike
The rental service center is at the front gate of the swimming pool at Jiangwan Stadium. A 200-yuan deposit is required. The first two hours are free and then riders are charged 1 yuan per hour. For more information, call 3381-0286.
So get your gear on and start pedaling.
Sheshan Hill, Songjiang District
Rent a bike at Sheshan Hill Station on Metro Line 9 and you can take a casual ride along the tree-flanked avenue straight to Sheshan Forest Park and Chenshan Botanic Park, which has been a popular spot for spending a leisurely afternoon.
The park has three gates and in front of each gate there is enough space to park your bicycle.
Covering an area of more than 200 hectares, the botanic park boasts a waterfall and a big lake. But the park's highlight is the three giant greenhouses featuring plants from rainforests and deserts, as well as some rare species.
After checking out the sights at the botanic park, ride along Linyinxin Avenue to the nearby Yuehu Sculpture Park. It features more than 30 art works created by sculptors from China, Japan and the United States.
After that, ride along Waiqingsong Road toward Sheshan Forest Park, one of the most-visited natural tourist attractions in the city.
The park is divided into the eastern hill and the western hill, both with free admission.
It only takes about half an hour to go up and down the eastern hill. Most people come here to have a barbecue.
The western hill is famed for a Catholic church and an observatory. The church, known as the second largest cathedral in East Asia, remains intact and features European architecture. The observatory is a regular meeting place for amatuer astronomers.
Where to rent a bike
The bike rental service center is at Metro Line 9's Sheshan Hill Station. A 200 yuan (US$31) deposit and identification documents (ID card or social security card) are necessary to rent a bike. There are many bike stations around Sheshan area including the forest, botanic and sculpture parks.
Wukang Road, Xuhui District
Away from the urban crowds and noise, Wukang Road in the old downtown area is a street that offers riders the tranquility and elegance of old Shanghai.
Wukang Mansion (former Normandie Apartment) sitting at the junction of Wukang and Huaihai roads, characteristic of French Renaissance architecture, was built in 1924. It was the work of the Hungarian architect Laszlo Hudec.
The mansion, seen from the west, looks like a boat. Exterior designs, such as arcade, corner balcony and classic pediment, are all typical of French Renaissance architecture.
Not far from the mansion, a red-roof, white-walled house stands out. The Mediterranean-style house was once the Italian consulateand now it is a branch office building of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
Built in 1932, the house was designed with porches in the east, west and south on the first floor. The southern part features an arch porch with ceiling-high French windows, gable walls, circular arches and flat arches.
A few steps away from the Mediterranean house is the former residence of Huang Xing (1874-1916), a Chinese revolutionary leader. The English countryside villa today has been turned into a service center for tourists. Exquisite models and oil paintings of old houses are displayed in the spacious main hall.
Other historic buildings on Wukang Road include the former residence of Ba Jin (1904-2005), one of the most-read writers in China, and the villa of the political leader Tang Shaoyi (1862-1938).
Where to rent a bike
The bike rental service center of Xuhui District is on 393 Wukang Road. For more information, call 6436-9592.
Eastern Zone, Yangpu District
This trip offers a different riding experience. Unlike the narrow streets downtown, roads in Yangpu are much wider.
You can stop at Jiangwan Stadium, which is much older than most of the city's stadiums. Built in 1935, the structure was made largely of red bricks and there is a gorgeous embossment on the eastern and western entrance gates.
Ride along Changhai Road until you reach Shanghai University of Sport (it's impossible to miss), the first higher education institution for sports after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
The college's main building is based on Chinese imperial architecture from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and one can be forgiven if they mistakenly think they are entering the Forbidden City.
The next stop is new Jiangwan City, where bicycle riders can enjoy a beautiful sunset as kites soar high in the sky among the birds.
Ride a bit further and you can check out Huangxing Park, which is home to dozens of black swans.
Where to rent a bike
The rental service center is at the front gate of the swimming pool at Jiangwan Stadium. A 200-yuan deposit is required. The first two hours are free and then riders are charged 1 yuan per hour. For more information, call 3381-0286.
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