Dianshan Lake Cycle Loop: 45 km Around the Lake
Oriental Land (Huqingping Road 6888; Metro Line 17 Oriental Land station) 东方绿舟 → Oriental Land (loop return) 东方绿舟
Plan Your Route
Quick Facts
| Start | Oriental Land (Huqingping Road 6888; Metro Line 17 Oriental Land station) 东方绿舟 |
| Finish | Oriental Land (loop return) 东方绿舟 |
| Area | Qingpu Lakes & Water Towns |
| Best season | Autumn is the season — crisp air, golden ginkgo avenues and long sunset light over the lake. Spring runs a close second. Summer is hot and exposed on the lake road; winter is for serious riders in the clearest air of the year. |
| Transport | Metro Line 17 to Oriental Land station (东方绿舟站), then ride from the gate; or drive about an hour from central Shanghai (G50 or G318). Bicycles are not allowed on the metro — bring a bike by car or rent one in Zhujiajiao. |
| Crowd level | Quiet on weekdays — most of the loop is farmland and village road. Weekends bring local riders to the lakeside road, and the Grand View Garden and Jinze draw day-trippers. |
Route Summary
Dianshan Lake is Shanghai’s biggest freshwater lake — about 62 km², the source of the Huangpu, half in Qingpu and half across the provincial border in Kunshan. This is its classic cycling route: a ~45 km clockwise loop from Oriental Land over two big outflow bridges, through the water towns of Jinze and Shangta, past the Dream of the Red Chamber gardens and a yacht club, and back along the lakeside road.
Ride clockwise so the lake stays on your right, carry water through the countryside arc, and save the last stretch for sunset — the east shore is the part of Shanghai where the classic lake-and-light shot lives.
Step-by-Step Route
Route notes are based on local knowledge and will be refined with field checks. Approximate times assume a relaxed pace with short photo stops.
Oriental Land to the two bridges
~1 hourStart at Oriental Land (东方绿舟, 沪青平公路6888号) and ride southwest to Lanlu Harbor Bridge (拦路港大桥), then south across Taipu River Bridge (太浦河大桥) — the loop's only real effort, with the lake's outflow channels below. Keep the lake on your right the whole way (clockwise).
Photo suggestion: The Taipu River Bridge reads best from the approach; early light on the water.
The countryside arc: Jinze and Shangta
~1.5–2 hoursOld Zhufeng Road and Lianxi Road carry you through rice fields and villages to Jinze Ancient Town (金泽古镇) — seven bridges from the Song to Qing dynasties, the 1260 Yihao Zen Temple, and the town's famous siomai — then to Shangta (商榻), the Aba-tea town with a proper market for a real supply stop.
Caution: This stretch is quiet and shaded in places but has no services between the towns — carry water.
Photo suggestion: Jinze's ancient bridges are the photo highlight of the countryside arc.
Grand View Garden, the yacht club and the lake-side return
~1.5 hoursHuqingping Road (G318) and Jinshang Road lead to the Shanghai Grand View Garden (上海大观园, 金商公路701号) — the 1987 Dream of the Red Chamber gardens — and the Meifan Yacht Club (美帆俱乐部, 金商公路588号) with its lakeside lawn. Ride the lakeside road back to Oriental Land; time the last stretch for sunset over the lake.
Caution: The loop road carries trucks, and the lakeside is unlit after dark — finish before dusk unless you have lights.
Photo suggestion: The east-shore return is the classic sunset-over-the-lake leg; stop on the lakeside road for the golden-hour frame.
Getting There & Back
By metro
BestMetro Line 17 to Oriental Land station (东方绿舟站), Exit near the park gate. Bicycles are not allowed on the metro, so either bring your own by car or ride to the park and start from the gate with a rental.
By car
About an hour from central Shanghai via G50 or G318 (Huqingping Road). Park at Oriental Land Gate 1 (¥10–20/day reported) and start the loop from there; the Grand View Garden Gate 2 lot (¥15/day) works if you prefer to start at the garden and ride the loop the other way.
Bike rental
Mountain-bike rentals are available in Zhujiajiao; for a 45 km loop a proper bike matters more than for the short routes — seat comfort and reliable brakes make the difference.
Return
The loop ends where it starts at Oriental Land. If you finish at the Grand View Garden instead, taxi/Didi back to the metro or your car.
Return
ReturnThe loop ends where it starts at Oriental Land. If you finish at the Grand View Garden instead, taxi/Didi back to the metro or your car.
Practical Notes
Ride clockwise
Clockwise keeps the lake on your right and puts you on the lakeside side of the road — the consensus line among local riders.
Start early in summer
The loop road has little shade. In summer start by 07:00 or after 16:00; carry at least 1.5 L.
Stock up at Shangta
Shangta's market is the real mid-loop supply stop; Jinze is better for a meal and photos.
Check the garden status
AMap currently flags the Grand View Garden as temporarily closed — verify before planning to go inside; the gate area is still a fine landmark.
Lights after dusk
The lakeside road is unlit. Carry lights if there is any chance you finish after sunset.
Construction varies
The Oriental Land–Daguanyuan section has seen roadworks and the lakeside cycling lane closes occasionally — check current notices and be ready to detour.
Proper bike
For 45 km use a bike with comfortable contact points; shared bikes' hard saddles and fixed seat heights can hurt knees over the distance.
Trucks on the loop
The loop road carries trucks, especially on the south arc. Ride defensively and single-file in groups.
Safety Notes
- The loop road carries trucks — ride defensively, especially on the south arc and the bridges.
- The lakeside road is unlit after dark; carry lights or finish before dusk.
- Bridge decks and shoulders can be narrow — cross at a steady pace and don't block traffic.
- Summer heat on the exposed lake road is real; carry water and electrolytes.
- Construction varies seasonally on the Oriental Land–Daguanyuan section — check notices and expect detours.
Best Time to Go
Spring
Mild riding weather and rapeseed fields around Caibang Village; the towns are at their freshest.
Summer
Hot and exposed on the lake road — ride early or late and carry water. Long hazy evenings for sunset.
Autumn
RecommendedThe best season — crisp air, golden ginkgo and clear sunset light over the lake.
Winter
Cold wind off the water but the clearest air of the year; a serious-riders' season with early lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to common planning questions about transport, Chinese place names, timing, and safety for this route.
-
How long is the loop really?
About 45 km by community consensus; the AMap road routing measures ~64 km once it follows all the connectors. Budget 3.5–5 hours of riding. -
Clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Clockwise — it keeps the lake on your right and gives you the lakeside side of the road. -
Can I do it with a shared bike?
Technically yes, but 45 km on a hard saddle and fixed seat height is uncomfortable and can hurt your knees. Rent a proper bike in Zhujiajiao or bring your own. -
Where do I refuel?
Shangta's market is the real supply stop; Jinze has food (try the siomai); the Grand View Garden area has roadside restaurants. Otherwise carry everything. -
Is the Grand View Garden open?
AMap currently flags it as temporarily closed — verify before you plan to go inside. The garden gate area still makes a good landmark and photo stop. -
What about the sunset?
Finish the last stretch along the east shore as the light goes low — the lakeside road is the classic sunset-over-the-lake leg. Carry lights if you'll be late. -
Is this suitable for kids?
The 45 km loop is long for young children; the ~31 km Zhujiajiao–Grand View Garden ride is the family line. See that page.
Nearby Routes
Other trails starting from the same area, worth combining or visiting on another day.
Zhujiajiao–Grand View Garden Ride
The ~31 km family ride between the two water-town-and-garden ends of this loop.
Dianshan Lake Short Loop
The ~20 km scenic walk-or-short-ride from the garden to Zhujiajiao via the viewing platform and Baoguo Temple.
Dianshan Lakeside Leisure Walk
The east-shore strolling line of lawns, camps, ginkgo avenues and sunset points.