Performers at a Jiading music festival Photo: Courtesy of Jiading District Tourism Bureau

Shanghai expats who live in downtown Jing'an or Huangpu districts only discover how really big the city is when they venture out into the suburbs, as Jing'an becomes Changning, which in turn becomes Putuo, and so on until you reach the district on the very edge: Jiading district.

Located in the northwest corner of Shanghai, Jiading district is a hidden gem that links the city with the neighboring Jiangsu Province. With the completion of metro Line 11 on August 31, Jiading district is now connected to Pudong New Area with its 65-kilometer line that runs through central Xujiahui.

The district covers 464 square kilometers with a population of about 1.5 million. It's the home of the mouthwatering xiaolongbao (the steamed dumplings) that are synonymous with Shanghai cuisine and the Shanghai International Circuit, the home of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix.

But if you look around this district that dates back more than 800 years, you will find a lot more than delicious food and fast cars.

Some of the attractions that visitors enjoy in Jiading are the Guyi Garden, which was constructed in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Confucius Temple, originally erected in 1219.

Over the first five days of this year's Shanghai Tourism Festival which runs from September 14 to October 6, many of Jiading's leading tourist spots will be offering 50 percent discounts on admission tickets including the Shanghai International Circuit, the Malu Grape Theme Park and Nanxiang Old Street.

The Jiading district government is also promoting a series of events and activities during the festival, showcasing local characteristics and offering visitors a more comprehensive understanding of the district's history and culture.

Driving the district

Industry in Jiading district is most closely associated with automobile manufacture. Anting town is the home of the Shanghai International Automobile City and for the past five years, there has been an auto fair during the Shanghai Tourism Festival, where visitors can thrill to the excitement of car racing as well as being able to check out the latest car models.

Sports Car Champions Festival, a brand-new car race, will be introduced for this year's carnival. Held at the Shanghai International Circuit (2000 Yining Road, Anting town), this three-day event (October 25 to 27) has attracted high-profiled carmakers, including Audi, Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini and Volkswagen. Professional racing teams from five different continents will race in five separate events.

Shanghai International Circuit will also host another major auto event from September 27 to 29. Organized by the Shanghai Automobile and Motor Sports Association and One Foundation, the 2013 Dream Speed Festival involves automobile and motor sport associations from across the country.

The event started in 2009, attracting sports car owners and fans from other cities and provinces.

More than 20 sports car clubs throughout the country have signed up for the festival this year aiming to provide fans with a Chinese version of The Fast and the Furious. The festival is free but some events will charge an admission fee.

Car enthusiasts looking for more than the thrill of speed should head to the China Auto Salon, which runs from September 13 to 15 at Shanghai Automobile Exhibition Center (7575 Boyuan Road, Anting town).

This year's salon, a trade and exhibition show for custom-made vehicles and equipment, will be at the 30,000-square-meter upmarket center in Anting.

This, the third annual event, has attracted over 100 international brands and more than 50,000 visitors are expected to be looking over the car models and equipment. Call 400-820-7910 or 6130-0910 to book tickets.

The Shanghai Auto Museum (7565 Boyuan Road, Anting) is the first dedicated auto museum in China, and a must-see for car enthusiasts. Covering more than 28,000 square meters, the museum displays around 70 vehicles from rare historical examples to the latest sedans. The vintage car pavilion has proved especially popular.

Alongside the passion for speed and invention, the festival is also showcasing the sophisticated cultural life of Anting. The busy entertainment and shopping complex, Life Hub @ Anting (1033 Moyu Road South, Anting town) is offering a month-long program to provide a variety of options for visitors to the festival.

From September 19, music fans will be able to enjoy themselves at an exhibition of recordings including classic vinyl discs, alongside panel discussions with city music critics and performances by Taiwanese singer Johnathan Cheung and Hong Kong star Hui among others.

At the Shanghai Auto-Expo Park (7001 Boyuan Road, Anting town) on October 20, an outdoor concert will feature music by Taiwanese singer Elva Hsiao, Malaysian pop star Michael Wong and his former band member Victor Wong.

A performer dressed in Confucian style offers a young boy guidance. Photo: Courtesy of Jiading District Tourism Bureau

Dancers in traditional costumes perform during the Confucius Cultural Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Jiading District Tourism Bureau

Confucian concepts

Since 2008 the annual Shanghai Confucius Cultural Festival has been staged in Zhouqiao, the downtown area of Jiading district. This year the festival will run from September 22 to 28.

Zhouqiao has been listed as a National 4A Tourist Attraction and is known as the cradle of Confucian culture in Shanghai.

It will open on September 22 with a display of brides and grooms dressed in traditional wedding costumes and the festival will have a range of events showcasing traditional Chinese costumes, Chinese culture and etiquette and a photography exhibition.

Sited on Nanda Road in Jiading district, the Confucius Temple is a landmark in Zhouqiao. Built in 1219, this was the largest temple in Jiangsu Province (Jiading belonged to Jiangsu Province until it was incorporated into the city of Shanghai in 1958).

The Confucius Temple is also the Shanghai Museum of the Chinese Imperial Examination System with five exhibition halls introducing the history and highlights of the imperial examinations in ancient China to visitors.

A collection of examination papers and the stories of famous examination candidates are featured here.

The festival intends to promote Confucian culture and reflect the history and culture of Jiading as well. Visitors will be encouraged to immerse themselves in the fun and culture of this unique area.

The Nanxiang steamed buns attract thousands of visitors from around the country. Photo: Courtesy of Jiading District Tourism Bureau

Yummy buns

The queues might be long but no one complains about the wait for the Nanxiang steamed buns at the City God Temple in downtown Huangpu district. You can avoid the queues by visiting Nanxiang town in Jiading during the Shanghai Tourism Festival, where you will find the truly authentic food items en masse.

The annual Nanxiang Steamed Bun Cultural Exhibition will be launched in the town on September 28. On that day thousands of hungry visitors will be able to enjoy xiaolongbao while watching the dish being prepared and learning about the history of the delicacy.

Created by Nanxiang native Huang Mingxian, the art of making xiaolongbao has been listed as one of Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage items. The small wrapped buns are packed with soup and a variety of pork, crab or shrimp fillings.

Guyi Garden in Nanxiang town is the city's oldest formal Chinese garden, and it will have a traditional folk customs and culture festival from September 18 to October 18, featuring local crafts and culture.

The festival will have on display some intangible cultural heritage items including Jiading bamboo-carving, Shanghai-style wool embroidery and paintings by folk artists. Craft workers and artists will be on hand to show visitors how they create their works and visitors will be invited to try their hand at some of the creative processes.

Guyi Garden and Nanxiang Old Street have been listed as National 4A Tourist Attractions.

Another highlight of the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Cultural Exhibition will see the official opening of the town's Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) street on September 28. Aimed at promoting the concept of TCM and providing TCM prescriptions and treatments, Heping Street in Nanxiang town has been renovated for the occasion.

Fall brings a golden tinge to the historic Guyi Garden. Photo: Courtesy of Jiading District Tourism Bureau

Shopping for fun

After the cars, culture and cuisine, visitors can indulge themselves at the Cao'an Shopping and Tourism Festival which offers bargains galore on a variety of goods, including bedding, household and wedding items.

After shopping, enjoy a tea break at the Fengzhuang Tea Market (1611 Cao'an Road), where a tea-themed festival will run from September 18 till 24.

Late September is a good time for outdoor activities. In Huating town in Jiading, visitors can take part in fishing contests, bamboo rafting, cycling around the lakes or feasting at family barbecues.

During the seven-day National Day Holiday, Maoqiao village will be the place for food. Throughout this special food festival from 3 pm every day, visitors can sample home-cooked village meals, preserved pork and pickles, and imported beers from Germany. At night bands will provide live music.