In the northwest corner of Jiading District, Shanghai, there hides a Jiangnan town famous for grapes – Malu, known as “the Hometown of Grapes in China”. It is also an excellent destination for foreign visitors to deeply experience Shanghai’s pastoral life and taste the local sweetness. Different from the prosperity and hustle and bustle of downtown Shanghai, Malu’s thousand hectares of vineyards are full of greenery, with crisscross water systems. When the breeze blows through the grape vines, the fragrance of fruits overflows, like a quiet Jiangnan pastoral painting, waiting for visitors from afar to explore.
The sweet legend of Malu grapes began with a “green revolution” nearly 45 years ago. In 1981, Shan Chuanlun, then a fruit tree technician, broke the saying that “grapes cannot cross the Yangtze River” and successfully introduced Kyoho grapes in a 2.2-mu experimental field in Malu, thus starting the industrial road of Malu grapes. Today, after decades of development, Malu has more than 120 scientific research grape varieties, with a planting area of nearly 4,000 mu and an annual output value of over 100 million yuan, becoming a vivid example of Shanghai’s urban agriCulture. The grapes here adhere to organic planting and have passed the organic food certification for more than ten consecutive years. Each grape is plump, juicy and unique in flavor. From early-maturing Summer Black and Early Sunset Rose, to mid-maturing Kyoho and Giant Rose, and then to late-maturing Shine Muscat and Nina Queen, the supply period spans from late May to mid-October, lasting more than 4 months. No matter when you visit, you can taste fresh and delicious grapes in season.
For foreign visitors, the most not-to-be-missed experience is grape picking in Malu. Picking a bunch of crystal-clear grapes with your own hands and feeling the freshness from the branch to the tip of your tongue is a unique romance and joy that belongs only to Malu. Malu Grape Theme Park is the first choice. Founded in 2004 and covering an area of 500 mu, this ecological park integrates grape scientific research, popular science, leisure and picking. In 2009, it was rated as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction and a National Popular Science Education Base. There is a 1,500-meter-long grape corridor in the park, which not only provides shade, but also the neatly arranged grape clusters show the planting level of Malu grapes; the grape science Museum, which looks like a wine castle, shows grape Culture and wine knowledge in detail, and also provides English explanation services to facilitate foreign visitors to understand the development history of Malu grapes.
In addition to popular science experiences, the picking area in the Park is very popular, planting more than 50 popular varieties such as Shine Muscat, Kyoho and Summer Black. Shine Muscat is known as “the Hermès in the grape world”, with a jade-like green color, crisp and sweet flesh and a light rose aroma; Kyoho is as purple and black as agate, with soft and juicy flesh, sweet and sour taste; Summer Black is seedless with thin skin, crisp taste and juicy in one bite. During picking, the fruit farmers will patiently guide you how to choose ripe grapes and remind you to handle them gently to avoid damaging the fruits. The picking price varies according to the variety. Shine Muscat is about 40 yuan per catty, Kyoho is about 20 yuan per catty. The picked grapes can be washed and tasted on site, or packed in gift boxes to take away as souvenirs for relatives and friends. There is also a children’s playground in the park, raising cute pets such as rabbits and Pigeons, equipped with swings, slides and other facilities, suitable for family trips with children; in the aquatic flower and vegetable garden, lotus and water lilies are in full bloom, and seasonal vegetables are available for picking, allowing you to fully experience the pastoral fun.
In addition to Malu Grape Theme Park, there are many characteristic picking gardens and farm stays around to meet the needs of different visitors. Xiaozhang Grape Garden Farm Stay is adjacent to the theme park, providing picking services for more than 20 kinds of grapes. There is a grape Culture exhibition area in the garden, suitable for in-depth understanding of planting knowledge; Hongtai Garden is a comprehensive ecological park integrating planting, breeding, accommodation and catering. The Jiangnan garden-style buildings in the park are very charming. You can also experience fishing, barbecue, camping and other activities. Stay in the homestay in the park at night and feel the tranquility of the rural night scene.
After tasting the delicious grapes, you may wish to explore the surrounding scenery and food of Malu and feel the unique charm of the Jiangnan town. Jiading District, where Malu Town is located, has a profound historical and cultural heritage. Fahua Pagoda, not far from Malu, was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, witnessing the vicissitudes of Malu for 700 years. Climbing to the top of the pagoda, you can overlook the whole view of the Ancient Town; Dayu Village, as a national key rural tourism village, has crisscross water networks and lush forests. Walking on the rural paths in the village, you can enjoy pastoral scenery such as rapeseed flowers and rice fields, and also visit Wojia Study to enjoy a quiet reading time in the shade of trees; Yiwaitao Yuan Designer Homestay is transformed from an old factory building, integrating Jiangnan garden and artistic elements, which is a good place for taking photos and resting.
In terms of food, the farm stays in Malu are absolutely not to be missed. Panyuan Farm Stay is well-known for its White Cut Chicken and Sizzling Eel Shreds, with an average consumption of about 93 yuan. The environment is simple but full of rural atmosphere; Liangjia Courtyard is characterized by Ming Dynasty style decoration. Grandma’s Braised Pork and Jinyun Biscuits are the signature dishes, with an average of about 100 yuan per person, suitable for family dinners. In addition, there are grape-themed special foods, such as grape juice, grape bud Tea and grape dumplings, which integrate the sweetness of grapes into traditional dishes, bringing a unique taste experience.
In terms of transportation, Malu is conveniently located, about 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Shanghai, very suitable for a day trip or half-day trip. Starting from downtown Shanghai, you can take Metro Line 11 to Malu Station, then transfer to Malu No.1 Bus to directly reach Malu Grape Theme Park; driving there, you can directly reach via Huhang Expressway, A30 Suburban Ring Road, etc. There are parking lots in and around the park, making parking convenient. If you need accommodation, in addition to Hongtai Garden and Yiwaitao Yuan Homestay, there are many express hotels and boutique homestays around, with prices ranging from 200 yuan to 800 yuan, which can be chosen according to your own budget.
Finally, here are some practical tips for foreign visitors: the best travel time is July to September, when grapes enter the peak production period, with the most abundant varieties and the best taste; it is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and take sun protection measures when going picking; some picking gardens and scenic spots provide English services, but preparing a simple Chinese translation app in advance will be more convenient; when buying grape gift boxes, you can ask the fruit farmers to help pack them for easy carrying and gifting.
Malu’s grapes are a gift from nature and a microcosm of Jiangnan pastoral culture. Here, you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, immerse yourself in the greenery and fruit fragrance of the vineyards, pick sweetness with your own hands, taste special food, and feel the gentleness and comfort of the Jiangnan town. Whether you are traveling alone, with your partner, or with your family, Malu can bring you an unforgettable sweet journey, waiting for you to unlock this pastoral romance belonging to Shanghai.
暂无评论内容