Hidden Gems of Shajiabang – Beyond the "Battle of Wits"

In May, as spring eases into early summer, staying home gets boring and the urge to roam strikes. Very close to Shanghai in Changshu lies a hidden scenic area of reed marshes: Shajiabang.

For older generations, Shajiabang is almost synonymous with the famous "Battle of Wits" opera scene. Yet in reality, there are so many ways to enjoy this place—it's the kind of spot you'll want to revisit with family and friends.

1. The easiest way from Shanghai to Shajiabang is by car, taking just over an hour.

2. On July 1st, the Tonghu Railway will open, and the trip from Changshu Station to Shanghai Hongqiao will take only 40 minutes. You can also go green by taking a high-speed train to Changshunan and then transferring to a local bus.

Tickets can be bought online. After entering the main gate, on a stone bridge leading into the scenic area, I saw a traditional fishing net performance on the water, showing the original lifestyle of local fishermen. I can imagine how beautiful it must be here at dawn.

Here you can freely wander through a sea of flowers.

From April to May, on the wetland islands near the bird-watching platform, there are fields of blue mustard—purplish-blue blooms, perfect for Hanfu costume photography. Large clusters let you chase butterflies and play, almost as if you've traveled back to the Han and Tang dynasties.

After crossing the floating bridge, there's another island covered in over 60 mu of verbena. The fragrance of verbena is pleasant, fresh and elegant; the tall straight stalks resemble lavender from afar but are actually quite different, with umbrella-like flower heads full of French romantic charm.

It's another great photo spot.

Honestly, before coming to Shajiabang, I thought it was just a patch of reed marshes—what was there to do? But once here, I realized how wrong I was. There are so many hidden ways to enjoy it—the flower sea is just one. In May alone, aside from the purplish-blue flower fields, along the paths there are scattered dots of various colorful blooms that give you little surprises as you walk.

Because this is a national wetland, the ecology is superb, home to 137 bird species including egrets, spot-billed ducks, common moorhens, and mandarin ducks. There are specially built bird-watching platforms and boardwalks that let you observe birds up close or from a distance without disturbing them. So bringing kids here for bird-watching is also a great choice.

There's even a wetland nature school perfect for children, where you can do DIY reed paintings and make floating islands for birds. These hands-on educational experiences are very unique and hard to find elsewhere.

If that's too relaxing, you can dive into an intense real-life CS battle with friends, provided you have enough people—thrilling and exciting, battling it out on the field.

Don't worry if you're a newbie; coaches will guide you and turn you from a rookie into a pro.

For those already skilled in tactics, here you can really show off your talents.

Of course, you can also become a farmer for a day and experience threshing rapeseed and pressing oil.

Cut the stalks, thresh, sift, roast, and press—step by step, letting kids join in and get a taste of farming life.

The scenic area stages various performances daily. Check the schedule so you don't miss any. For instance, the live-action shows "Battle of Wits with Commander Hu" and "Flames over the Reed Marshes" are amusing and vividly staged. On Hengjing Old Street, there are also Shiwanshan folk songs, Peking Opera excerpts from Shajiabang, and water-town wedding performances.

I can even sing a few lines from the Peking Opera "Shajiabang" scene of "Battle of Wits":

"I just heard the Commander say,

Aqing's wife is truly something else."

Beyond these, you can naturally drift on a boat through the reed marshes, seeking the Jiangnan water town of your dreams.

Strolling around, every view is picturesque.

If you get tired, you can hop on a sightseeing electric cart or rent a bicycle to get around.

Shajiabang Scenic Area is also a hidden gem for street food lovers—you can eat your way through Shajiabang for just 100 yuan.

Grab a cup of the popular IM tea; the prices are exactly the same as ordinary milk tea shops outside, very wallet-friendly.

Try a piece of pineapple cake—tasty and filling.

Assorted crystallized fruits to cut the grease.

All sorts of pastries and snacks are available.

Dingsheng cake, plum blossom cake, and fresh meat mooncakes are all very local Jiangnan specialties.

There's also aoji (spiced chicken), and the shop always has a crowd.

You can also head to the Chunlai Teahouse, savor some tea, and listen to Suzhou pingtan storytelling.

While there, stack an old-style "seven-star stove."

For a proper meal, head to Luyi Resort Hotel for the most authentic local cuisine. Every dish is prepared with care, exuding Jiangnan refinement, and the taste is excellent.

Making the most of its natural ecology, the scenic area has launched two popular dining options: waterside terrace dining and reed boat meals. Sitting in a hand-rowed boat, gliding through the reed marshes, enjoying the scenery, bird-watching, listening to music, and eating a special boat meal—this might be the most atmospheric meal I've ever had in a scenic spot. Highly recommended: the 488 yuan set for four on Ctrip is an incredible deal!

Flash-fried shrimp, sizzling eel with snails, and crucian carp are all seasonal delicacies—incredibly fresh.

When you visit Shajiabang, be sure to experience the tranquil night. If you're lucky, you can see a sky full of stars and even spot a few fireflies.

Inside the Shajiabang scenic area, there are two B&Bs: Jiangnan Luhuawan and Jiuzhu Yilu, each with its own charm. Outside the area stands the Luyi Resort Hotel; the lake-view rooms upstairs overlook the reed marshes—highly recommended for the stunning view.

Jiuzhu Yilu B&B was once the back courtyard of the Diao family mansion. It's full of hidden elegance, built in the Jiangnan garden style with antique wall bricks and wooden furniture, very tasteful.

Here you can sip tea, read a book, and idle time away, or practice calligraphy to calm the mind.

So much said, but nothing beats experiencing it yourself. Have you discovered all these hidden ways to enjoy Shajiabang?