Hey Dan, on that particular example, yes. When I'm looking for places to go, I always look on Google Maps for "landscapes", which means rivers, elevation, forests, everything except industrial zones. ;-))
And because most of the time we cannot go for rides that are too long, too far outside Shanghai (well, except when I'm doing a 500km day to Taihu, Xishan and Dongshan and back in 12 hours riding like 2 weeks ago...), the choice is quite limited.

What I suggest for a nice Sunday morning ride from Shanghai is :
- G318 from Shanghai, turn south on Jiasong lu
- from there go to Sheshan
- then go to the road you went to, by the river,
- back on G318 towards Shanghai
- but turn left when you reach the Dianshan lake,
- go around the lake on the west side, up north, and down the east side on the new road in my 1st post,
- then to Zhujiajiao and back to G318 to Shanghai.

You have there a 4 to 5 hours ride. It's of course much better to do it during the week to avoid the WE get-outs, but hey....
I'll put a Google maps later, highlighting this trip for those interested.