Forest jump

The island's most developed attraction, Dongping Forest Park is a 3.6 square kilometer expanse of forest filled with trails and various familyfriendly amusements (entry 70 yuan).

Although portions of the park appear to be recently renovated, many of the long corridors made by the straight groves of trees have been lost to the undergrowth. Although the park can be explored on foot, it's recommended you rent a bike inside the park for 15 yuan an hour. Unless you plan on biking around outside the park later, don't rent a bike from the hut outside the main gate. A regulation requires that you enter and exit through the park's second entrance half a kilometer away.

While touring around, be sure to take a detour down Senlin Road, meaning "Forest Road" in Chinese, which meanders through the park's biggest section of conifers. The nearby Bamboo Park isn't much to look at, but a teahouse on the shores of a small pond provides an air-conditioned space to enjoy ice cream (10 yuan) or a pot of tea (30 yuan and up). The teahouse includes an old Western-styled saloon complete with barrels and ornate woodwork, echoing with the sounds of American soft rock hits of the 90s from a faux phonograph.

The amusement park features a zipline (30 yuan), a rock climbing wall (20 yuan) and a go-karting track (10 yuan). For 30 yuan, you can ski down an artificial slope of finely pruned grass for half an hour. You can also rent a paddle or motor boat and take a ride through the parks' maze of estuaries. Paddle boats and small motor boats can be rented for 20-30 yuan per half hour. On your way out, don't miss the retired PLA F-6 fighter plane. The 7,500 kilogram monster is parked in the middle of the forest near the entrance on Yinlin Road.

Wetlands not dry on sights

On the very eastern tip of the island lies the massive expanse of the Dongtan National Nature Preserve and Bird Viewing Park. The 50 yuan entry fee includes entrance to a small park and the chance to walk around on a raised platform over the wetland itself. The small museum and coffee shop lie in a sea of dark green marsh grasses.

If you are interested in getting a look at one of the park's many species of birds, take a pair of binoculars.

Locals claim that October is the best time to go birdwatching, but with a little patience you can still spy storks, sandpipers and even peregrines.