Overview
Glide across crystal-clear, jelly-like water in a flooded cypress forest on this relaxed paddleboard day trip from Shanghai. A hidden Jiangnan gem with private car, lunch and an English guide.
Itinerary
Shanghai: Taohuajie Water Forest Paddleboard Day Trip
Discover one of the Yangtze Delta's most photogenic hidden gems on this easygoing private day trip from Shanghai to the Taohuajie reservoir, a secluded reach of clear water cradled by thirty acres of water cypress forest. Locals call it the 'jelly sea' and 'Jiangnan's mini-Jiuzhaigou' for its glassy, jade-green surface, and it is a dreamy place to try stand-up paddleboarding in calm, sheltered water.
After a comfortable pickup from your Shanghai hotel, your English-speaking guide and private driver bring you into the green hills where the reservoir hides. A short, gentle stroll of about 15 minutes leads to the launch point, where flooded cypress trees rise straight out of the mirror-still water, creating the magical feeling of paddling through a sunken forest.
Spend a leisurely afternoon paddling at your own pace, drifting between the trees, taking in the reflections, and capturing endless photos in this serene setting. Paddleboards and kayaks let you choose how active you want to be, and the water is calm and beginner-friendly, so there is no strenuous activity, hiking or pressure, just peaceful time on the water.
This is authentic rural China away from the crowds, a refreshing nature escape that pairs perfectly with the energy of Shanghai. As the light softens in the late afternoon, your private car returns you comfortably to your hotel.
Glide across crystal-clear, jelly-like water in a flooded cypress forest on this relaxed paddleboard day trip from Shanghai. A hidden Jiangnan gem with private car, lunch and an English guide.
What's Included
✓ Included
✕ Not included
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.
Traveler Reviews
The part around Taohuajie Water Forest Paddleboard Day was unhurried, which mattered more to me than squeezing in one more stop. Shanghai was a good counterpoint.
What helped was simple: our questions wandered well beyond the standard facts, and the guide stayed with them. That made the time at Shanghai much more interesting. I would still leave extra time for Taohuajie Water Forest Paddleboard Day.
Looking back, I carried more than I needed. Water, a light layer and a small power bank would have covered the whole day. With 11 hours to work with, the balance felt sensible.
Looking back, this wasn't a “see everything” tour, and that was a strength. The time around Shanghai felt specific to Shanghai, not interchangeable with another city. My only advice is not to shorten the time at Taohuajie Water Forest Paddleboard Day.
Worth doing for Taohuajie Water Forest Paddleboard Day; worth remembering for the small stops in between.