The nearest "Sea Sunrise" in Shanghai! Complete Guide to Cycling and Birdwatching at Chongming Dongtan

You don’t have to leave Shanghai to witness the magnificent "sea sunrise" and the spectacle of thousands of birds flying together! The Dongtan Wetland in Chongming during winter is a refueling station for migratory birds and an excellent spot for family nature observation. Keep this crowd-free guide handy. 🚲 Highlight Experience: Dike Cycling and Sunrise Viewing Best Sunrise Viewing Spots: Navigate to the end of "Dongwang West Road" outside "Dongtan Wetland Park" (near the windmill), or the "Guanhailou" inside the park. Winter sunrises are later, around 6:30-7:00 AM, making it easier to get up. Watching the sun rise from the sea horizon, with golden light spreading over the tidal flats and reeds, is truly breathtaking. Cycling Along the Riverside Dike: The park is surrounded by a long flood control dike with excellent road conditions. You can rent a bicycle (including family bikes) and ride against the river breeze. On one side are vast tidal flats and the Yangtze River, on the other farmland and villages, offering expansive and refreshing scenery. 🦩 Core Activity: Wetland Birdwatching Best Birdwatching Spots: Dongtan Bird Nature Reserve (reservation required, with professional guides) and the Egret Viewing Platform and Miyi Lakeside inside Dongtan Wetland Park. What You Can See: Winter is peak birdwatching season, with thousands of swans, white-naped cranes, black-faced spoonbills (rare), and various geese and ducks. Remember to bring a telephoto camera or binoculars. Visit the Yangtze Alligator Base: There is also a Yangtze alligator conservation base in the park where you can see this rare animal wintering in a greenhouse. 🏠 Accommodation Options: Manor Hotels and Unique Homestays Shanghai Chongming Jinmao Hyatt Hotel: Located near the park, with excellent facilities including indoor and outdoor children’s playgrounds, a petting farm, and a heated swimming pool. Perfect for a one-stop family vacation. Yeshan Garden Homestay: A boutique Japanese-style homestay with exquisite courtyards, rooms with private hot spring baths, attentive service, and a hearty Japanese breakfast. 🗓️ Two-Day One-Night Itinerary Suggestion Day 1: Drive or take a ferry to Chongming in the morning (the car ferry is quite interesting) → Have farmhouse cuisine for lunch in Chenjia Town → Check into the hotel in the afternoon → Head to Dongtan Wetland Park for cycling and birdwatching, wait for sunset → Dinner featuring Chongming lamb and shredded pumpkin. Day 2: Early rise for sunrise viewing (depending on weather and kids) → Return to hotel for breakfast and rest → Visit Qianwei Ecological Village or Xisha Wetland in the morning (to see tides and reeds) → Return after lunch. 🍲 Chongming Food Highlights Must-try: Chongming lamb (braised or boiled), Chongming cake (warm and fragrant), shredded pumpkin (cold dish, crisp and refreshing), and white mountain goat offal soup. Chenjia Town is a food hub. 📌 Practical Tips ✅ Dongtan is windy and exposed; be sure to wear windproof and cold-resistant jackets or down coats, and bring hats and scarves. ✅ Stay quiet during birdwatching, avoid wearing bright clothes, and do not feed the birds. ✅ Some areas of the reserve and park require reservations; check in advance on the "Chongming Vacation" or Trip.com platform. ✅ Some outdoor activities or restaurants may adjust their hours in winter; confirm before departure. Winter at Dongtan is rugged, vast, and full of vitality. Bring your kids to experience a different, wilder side of Shanghai.