Chong Ming Dao is a beautiful island about 1 hour from downtown Shanghai. With the completion of a new bridge and tunnel, getting to the island makes it easier for the population of the Shanghai Municipality to explore the beauty that was once difficult to reach.
The Chong Ming Dao Tapes are 500 hours of field recordings from Chong Ming Dao (Island) in Shanghai, China. These recordings and images will document the current sound of Chong Ming Dao to showcase the largely ‘undiscovered’ and unspoiled beauty of this island to Shanghai and to the world.
The island is always changing. Not only with the new modern developments happening but also because of its nature. This alluvial island has been formed over the past 1500 years with the silt of the Yangtze River.
All audio will be recorded with a Sony PCM-D50 @ 96/24. Photos taken with a Ricoh GXR P10.
About Chong Ming Dao
The island of Chong Ming has its roots beginning in the Tang Dynasty (618 AD) when the first traces of land began to be seen from the water. It wasn‘t until 705 AD when the first inhabitants settled on the island.
The landscape is generally flat and although it is mostly an agrarian society, the intricate network of waterways, irrigation canals, roads, and beautiful scenery suggest a well– developed and established infrastructure and not a desolate island.
Chong Ming Island has three special characteristics: Crabs, the ‘Beach Reed Forest’, and Constant movement. It is said that in the mudflats of the island one can see a dense sea of small crabs. It has even found its way into the Chong Ming Dialect as an everyday colloquialism. The ‘Beach Reed Forest’ is most abundant in the eastern part of the island where a band of tall sea reeds grow as far as the eye can see. The reeds also help stabilize the silt banks of the island. Finally, because it is an alluvial island, the landmass is always changing, always transforming over time.
Chong Ming was officially made into a County of Shanghai, in 2004 and includes the islands of Chang Xing [长兴乡] and Heng Sha [横沙乡] within its jurisdiction. Approximately 700,000 people live in the county and some of its population have come from relocated towns affected by the 3 Gorges Dam.
The island is approximately 1000 square kilometers (about 80km x 13km) and the third largest island in China. It is the largest alluvial island in the world.
There has been an effort to put the island on the ecotourism map by developing the Dong Tan eco-city. Among other sights to see on the island there is a migratory birds protected area in Dong Tan, Dong Ping National Forest Park, Wetland Park on Xisha, and the Gen Bao Football training grounds.
Chong Ming Dao has a beautiful ancient name: ‘East Sea Ying Zhou’ (东海颍州). ‘Ying Zhou’ was a mythical island where it was thought that gods and goddesses lived. It was a floating island searched by many but never found. Many emperors sent people in search for this island with no luck. The Ming Dynasty emperor gave the name ‘East Sea Ying Zhou’ to Chong Ming Dao which can also be seen as a reflection of the natural beauty of this island. ‘Chong Ming’ means ‘a land above the water that is flat, clean, and wide’.
Referenced from http://www.tocm.cn/ ，
Chong Ming County Government Website:
Chong Ming Dao Tapes
500 Hours of Field Recordings from Chong Ming Island in Shanghai, China
Releases
‘Free’ Ride
We are offering ‘free’ rides to Chong Ming Dao to help offset some of the transportation costs of this project (Tolls, Gas).
While its not totally free (80 RMB) the costs involved give you a few bottles of water, and a comfortable ride in my car for you AND your bicycle to Chong Ming Dao for a day of riding through the never ending fields.
Please note because we want to document the entire island, we may park the car in public places that may not be of particular interest. It will be up to you to find your way around, and find your way back to the car. Please be prompt.
Depart Shanghai: 0700
Arrive Chong Ming Dao: 0830
Depart Chong Ming Dao: 1600
Arrive Shanghai: 1800
This is a great opportunity to experience this amazing island and have a relaxing picnic and bike ride in the countryside.
If you have any questions or would like to book a date, please contact us.
Limited to 4 People per trip.
