SongJiang

SongJiang Introduction

Songjiang District is located in Yangzi Delta, around the uper and middle reaches of Huangpu River, and northewest of Shanghai. She lays 31 degrees north latitude and 121.45 degrees east longitude. Being 40 kilometers away from Shanghai downtown area, Songjiang is an important gateway to Shanghai in southwest because of its crises-cross transportation net including Hu-hang Railway, Hu-hang Highway, Hu-qing-ping Highway, and Tongsan State road, and Jia-jin Highway. Songjiang District covers an area of 604.67 square kilometers, which is 9.5% of the total area of Shanghai. Ladder-shaped, it is 45 kilometers in length and 50 kilometers in width, 87.9% of the area is land and the rest 12.09% is covered with water.

Songjiang, o­nce called Huating, and also known as Yunjian, Rongcheng and Gushui, is a famous town in Jiangnan. In 751, she was named Huating County. In 1277, it was named as Huating Prefecture, which was changed into Songjiang Prefecture in the next year. Then in 1805, there was Songjiang Prefecture with Huanting, Shanghai, Qingpu, Lou, Fengxian, Jinshan, Nanhui and Chuansha counties subject to it. In 1921, with the prefecture abolished, Huating and Lou were merged into Huating County. After liberation, it became Songjiang special district. In March 1958, it was called Suzhou special district, and in November, it became a county of Shanghai. Then in February 1998, it became a district authorize by the State Council.

SongJiang Traffic

Hongqiao International Airport in western Shanghai, about 15 kilometers from the city center, handles all international flights. By taxi, the trip from the airport will take you about 30 min. to an hour. A new Shanghai International Airport in Pudong opened o­n October 1, 1999, although is not yet fully operational.

The base fare for every taxi in Shanghai is 11RMB. For this amount, you will get virtually anywhere within o­ne or two districts in the city – if you never have to wait at in traffic, the fare will not increase for the first 3 Kilometers.  However, the stand-still time will affect the fare, so if you are stuck in traffic the fare will still increase faster than 3K.  The base fare rises to 14RMB after 11pm.

The cheap price of the taxis and their convenience makes them extremely popular.  This is especially the case in the winter and o­n rainy days, when a taxi is virtually impossible to come by.  If you are staying in a hotel and are desperate, I recommend calling your concierge and having a taxi ordered to your location.  This costs and extra 4RMB, and an additional 15RMB if you are traveling o­ne way from Puxi to Pudong (for the driver’s return) – but this would be completely worth it if you have no other choice! Also keep in mind that traffic can be horrible in Shanghai, so when you need to arrive o­n time, the subway could be more reliable. 

SongJiang Festivals

Modern Festivals
Shanghai is a stage for the whole world. Chinese as well as the world-renowned actors, artists come here to perform. Therefore, in recent years, Shanghai organized some large-scale cultural art celebration holidays. For instance, in every two years, Shanghai holds an International Television Festival. In each session, dozens of countries and areas come to join view and emulate. The International Film Festival held in every summer in Shanghai is not o­nly collects the excellent works in the world, but also converges the global most dazzling movie stars. It belongs to the A-level film festivals in the world. Shanghai International Art Festival is also held o­nce every two years. It is generally arranged in October of golden autumn. The famous theatrical troupes overseas and in other Chinese provinces will come with the best and newest plays.
Shanghai also has many holidays with local characteristics and cultural breath, such as Shanghai Travel Festival, Xuhui Sweet-Scented Osmanthus Festival, Nanhui Peach Flower Festival, Fengxian Kite Festival, Zhabei Tea Culture Festival, and Putuo Flower Festival and so o­n.
Traditional Festivals
Besides nationally established “May First Festival” (International Labor Day), “October First Festival” (National Day), and New Year’s Day (New Year), there are some traditional holidays with characteristics. If you are interested to Chinese traditional culture, you may stay with your Chinese friends, and enjoy the unique traditional festivals in Shanghai.

SongJiang Service Telephones

Tourism complaints: 64393615
Weather Forecast: 121,221
Railway Information: 63189188
Bus guidance hotline: 63175522
Shanghai West Railway Station Enquiry: 52829500
Shanghai South Railway Station Enquiry: 64511039
Shanghai Railway Station Enquiry: 63179090
Coach Ticket Booking Tel: 56630230
Local calls, long distance call Enquiry: 114
Hongqiao Airport Flight Enquiry: 62688918
Pudong Airport Flight Enquiry: 68341000
Train Tickets Booking Tel: 63171880, 8008207890