At the northern end of Shanghai, an international metropolis, lies a ecological secret surrounded by the Yangtze River and the East China Sea — Chongming Island. Known as the “Gateway to the Yangtze River and Yingzhou on the East China Sea”, it is Shanghai’s only ecological island and a natural oxygen bar away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Among the many treasures of this island, Chongming Golden Melon is undoubtedly the most distinctive and full of life. Known as the “plant jellyfish”, this special local product is not only a delicacy on the dining table, but also connects a in-depth travel experience integrating pastoral picking, ecological sightseeing and folk custom experience, making it an excellent entry point for foreign travelers to understand Chongming and feel the charm of Shanghai’s countryside.
Chongming Golden Melon is an exclusive specialty of Chongming District, Shanghai, and also a treasure protected by both the National Agricultural Product Geographical Indication and the Geographical Indication Product. Its cultivation history can be traced back to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago. Different from ordinary melons and fruits, mature Chongming Golden Melon has a golden rind and a plump and round shape. After cutting, the flesh can be naturally separated into crystal clear golden filaments with a light sTeaming or refrigeration. It tastes crisp, tender and fragrant, similar to jellyfish, hence the name “plant jellyfish” or “vegetarian jellyfish”. It is an indispensable cold dish in banquets and a hometown flavor deeply rooted in the hearts of Chongming people.
For foreign travelers, the best way to experience golden melon is to walk into the fields and pick this gift from nature with your own hands. The main producing areas of Chongming Golden Melon are concentrated in Jianshe Town, Miao Town and other places. Every year from June to August is the peak season for golden melon ripening and the best time for picking experience. It is recommended to go to characteristic farms such as Xiangdu Happy Farm and Qianwei Ecological Village. There are not only large areas of standardized golden melon fields, but also professional staff to guide picking skills throughout the process — just select golden melons with golden rind and heavy feel, cut the stem gently with scissors, and you can harvest your own ecological fruits. During the picking interval, you can also walk along the field paths, enjoy the pastoral scenery of Chongming Island, breathe the air mixed with the fragrance of soil and fruits, feel the tranquility and comfort away from the city, and immerse yourself in the farming Culture of Chinese countryside.
After picking, the most unmissable thing is to explore its various eating methods, each of which can make you feel its unique taste and flavor. The most classic way is cold mixed golden melon shreds. Blanch the golden melon shreds, rinse them with cold water, add a little salt, vinegar, sesame oil and minced garlic, mix well. It is crisp, tender and refreshing, an excellent dish to relieve summer heat, and also the best embodiment of the essence of “plant jellyfish”. In addition, golden melon shreds can be mixed with jellyfish shreds and radish shreds to make a unique cold platter; stir-fried with shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots and pork slices, it is rich in taste and delicious; it can also be used to make soup, dumplings, cans, and even dried as a souvenir to take away. In Chongming’s farmhouses and characteristic restaurants, such as Jinhu Tiandi and Laodu Farmhouse, you can taste authentic golden melon delicacies, and at the same time match with local special snacks such as Chongming mutton, Chongming rice cake and caotou cake, unlocking the rural flavor of Chongming in one stop.
Starting with golden melon, you can also connect many high-quality tourism resources of Chongming Island and plan a fulfilling ecological trip. After picking, you can go to Dongping National Forest Park, the largest plain forest in East China. With a 90% forest coverage rate, it has become a natural oxygen bar. You can rent a bicycle to shuttle through the metasequoia forest, check in at the flower exhibition area, and rest in the wisteria corridor to listen to the birds singing when you are tired, feeling the tranquility and vitality of the forest. During the Spring Flower Festival, you can also see special activities such as the “Twelve Flower Gods” parade and Hanfu check-in. In the evening, go to Xisha Wetland, walk along the winding wooden plank road, watch the reeds swaying in the wind, wait for the sunset over the Yangtze River, and the beautiful scenery of the red sky dyed over the river is definitely worth recording. When the tide rises, the reflection of the taxodium distichum in the water is like a painting, and you can also encounter small crabs on the tidal flat, feeling the ecological beauty of the wetland.
For foreign travelers planning a in-depth trip, it is recommended to stay in Chongming’s characteristic homestays, such as Xiangdu Dongli Homestay and Zhigu 1984. Most of these homestays are renovated from old houses, with white walls and gray tiles reflecting flowers and trees, and the small courtyard is full of rural atmosphere. At night, you can sleep with the sound of frogs, wake up with the sound of birds in the morning, and immerse yourself in the rural life of Chongming. In terms of transportation, it is very convenient to go from downtown Shanghai to Chongming Island. You can drive through the Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge via Shanghai-Shaanxi Expressway (G40), which takes about 1.5 hours; you can also take direct buses such as Shenchong Line 4 and Shenchong Line 6, with a fare of about 20 yuan and a journey of about 2 hours; you can also take a boat from Baoyang Wharf to Nanmen Wharf to experience the traditional river crossing style, with a voyage of 40 minutes. The distance between scenic spots on the island is moderate, and you can go there by car or bus, which is very convenient for travel.
Here are some practical tips for foreign travelers before traveling: when going picking in summer, take sun protection measures, carry mosquito repellent, and wear comfortable sports shoes; golden melon is not easy to preserve, and you can ask the farm to vacuum pack it after picking to extend the preservation time; when buying golden melon and related products, you can go to local farmer cooperatives, which are fresh and affordable; there are many mosquitoes in the wetland area, so it is recommended to carry mosquito repellent; you need to check the tide table in advance for Xisha Wetland, as some plank roads will be submerged when the tide rises, affecting the travel experience.
Chongming Golden Melon is not only a delicious specialty, but also a window for foreign travelers to walk into Chongming’s countryside, wetlands and villages, and feel the unknown ecological beauty and folk customs of Shanghai. Here, you can pick fruits with your own hands, taste authentic delicacies, walk in ecological secret places, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and in the slow rural time, understand the tenderness and poetry of the Jiangnan water town, leaving an unforgettable memory of Shanghai’s ecological travel.
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