Located in Qingpu District of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Water Town, aka Zhujiajiao Water Village, is well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1,700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), the little fan-shaped town, being regarded as Shanghai’s Venice, glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains.

Endowed with another elegant name – “Pearl Stream” – the Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquility.

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Map of Zhujiajiao Water Town (Click to Enlarge)

 It is said that to visit Zhujiajiao Water Town without seeing the bridges means that you have not really been to Zhujiajiao at all! Bridges here are distinctive with a long-standing history, built during Ming  (1368-1644) and Qing  (1636-1912) Dynasties. The antique Zhujiajiao Water Town is thoroughly connected by 36 delicate spans in different shapes and styles, from wooden to stone to marble.

Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-fish-free Bridge), built in 1571 by a monk after 15 years of begging for alms, used to be a place where Buddhist monks and pilgrims released aquatic animals at the very beginning. It is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge in Shanghai region, with five arches. Hence, it has been hailed as “the No.1 Bridge in Shanghai”. On the bridge stands a stone tablet named Dragon Gate Stone, which is engraved with 8 coiling dragons encircling a shining pearl. On top of the bridge are 4 lifelike stone lions. Boats quietly glide through the bridge arches, complemented by the dark tiles and white walls, as well as the carved doors and windows of the ancient buildings on both sides of the river. Together they create harmonious scenes as if you’ve stepped into a dreamy old memory of southern China. It’s absolutely a perfect spot for stunning photos.

Sightseeing Boats

Fangsheng Bridge

Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge) is the only wooden bridge and the most featured span in Zhujiajiao Water Town. The exposed parts of its main structure, including the bridge deck, beams, columns and railings, are all made of wood and retain the traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship. Due to the roof on the bridge with upturned eaves and its elegant and simple style, it resembles a narrow corridor. During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1736-1796), the main streets on both sides of the river here became increasingly prosperous, but people could only travel between the streets by detour, causing inconvenience to trade and daily life. Therefore, the local people built this bridge to connect the two banks of the river, bringing many benefits. On a sunny day, if you’re looking for a cool, shaded spot to enjoy the view of Zhujiajiao Water Town, this is an optimal place.
 Coming to Zhujiajiao Water Town, riding the traditional black-awning boat is an unmissable experience. If you are not in a rush, just escape from the bustling crowds elsewhere and sit in the boat, enjoying the gentle breeze and graceful residential buildings on both banks passing by in front of your eyes. There are mainly two options. One is that you can enter the town by taking the boat outside near the Zhujiajiao Metro Station of Line 17, which costs USD 6 per person. The second option is to take a boat tour inside the ancient town. There are three docks located at Kezhi Garden, City God Temple, and North Street. Each boat holds a maximum of 6 people, with a ride duration of 15-20 minutes and a cost of USD 30-45 per boat. You may share the boat with other tourists, which is much more cost-effective.
 

Narrow Lanes in the Town

In the northern part of Zhujiajiao Water Town, there is a quaint and historic street, namely, the North Street, which features representative and elegant ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Although only about one kilometer (0.62 miles) long, it is the one of the best-preserved ancient streets in Shanghai. The Street is only 3 to 4 meters (3.5 to 13 feet) wide, narrowing to just 2 meters (7 feet) at its narrowest point. The overhanging eaves of the houses on both sides form a unique “sky slit” view. Strolling on this ancient place and appreciating the historic buildings, as well as the many narrow lanes is truly a delightful experience.

Most importantly, the street is lined with long-established stores and exudes pleasant aroma of diversified local food, making it a great place to grab lunch and snacks. Sticky rice dumplings, braised pork, and various pastries made with black sesame and nuts are all worth trying.
 The ancient water town is also famous for the imposing gardens. The largest manorial one in this region is called Kezhi Garden, whose name stands for two aspects of virtues: cultivating oneself by reading and overcome hardships through agricultural practices. Stepping inside, you can appreciate classical elements of Chinese garden embodied in ponds, rockeries, pavilions, zigzag bridge, tower, etc.  

Next to Kezhi Garden nestles another one—Hexin Garden. It is a relatively quiet small garden, but its interior landscape is truly remarkable, making it an ideal place for you to enjoy the scenery while temporarily escaping from the crowds. The garden houses many antiques from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as the Rosewood Cabinet with Cloud-and-Dragon Carvings and the Twelve-Panel Huanghuali Screen, allowing you to appreciate the scenery while feeling as if you are visiting a museum. Moreover, the garden frequently hosts opera performances like Kunqu Opera, providing a great delight for tourists who love Chinese opera.
 It is the site of the former Great Qing Post Office established in 1903. The office is a two-story European-style building, with dark-red brick walls and an exquisite mailbox at the front door that has witnessed the development history of Shanghai into a first-class metropolis. The first floor is a free area where you can experience making your own postcards with vintage postmarks and admire various cultural and creative products. The second floor is an exhibition area introducing the postal services of multiple dynasties and displaying precious postcards and original letters in the past.
 Recommended visit time: 3-4 hours

City God Temple

Enter the ancient town from the entrance and follow the river all the way. You can visit the top scenic spots while enjoying snacks and drinks along the path. If you get tired, just choose to relax in the peaceful, slow boat ride.

Suppose you’re not time-pressed, you can also visit the gardens to experience the cultural atmosphere, or explore the time-honored stores in the alleys to feel the local customs and lifestyle. At sunset, as the town’s lanterns light up one by one, you’re recommended to stay for a while, enjoying the gentle and romantic scene where the sunset glow, lanterns and water reflect beautifully on each other.
 You can take Metro Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Station, and then walk north for about 15-20 minutes to arrive the town. 

Or if you don’t want to walk for such a long time, you can take Bus No. 1510 here at the metro station, which is the tourist bus directly to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Another solution is to ride a boat at the dock near Zhujiajiao Metro Station into the town.
 Starting from People’s Square or Nanjing Road in downtown Shanghai, it is about 48 kilometers (30 miles) to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. If you don’t want to transfer between transportation modes and prefer a direct trip, taking a taxi would be a better choice. The journey will take approximately 1.5 hours, with a fare ranging from USD 20-25.
 Visitors are exempted from the entrance fees of Zhujiajiao Water Town. However, they are required to buy the tickets for visiting some specific attractions inside it. Below are some combo tickets:

Price	Type
USD 12	Kezhi Garden + Hexin Garden + Shanghai Helong Art Gallery + Shanghai Handicraft Zhujiajiao Exhibition Hall + City God Temple + Yuanjin Buddhist Temple + Quanhua Museum
USD 6	Kezhi Garden + City God Temple + Yuanjin Buddhist Temple + Shanghai Handicraft Zhujiajiao Exhibition Hall Deposit: CNY 400 or 50 US dollars, or a passport
USD 9	Kezhi Garden + Hexin Garden + Shanghai Helong Art Gallery + Quanhua Museum
Note: Free for children below 1.3 meters (4.3 feet)

 Zhujiajiao Water Town Ticket Booking
 The town is open all day, but some of its attractions, such as the Kezhi Garden, the Qing Dynasty Post Office, and the City God Temple, etc. are usually open from 08:30 to 17:00, and last entry is at 16:30.
 1. Wear comfortable shoes since you have to keep walking around the town. 

2. If you plan to visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in the summer (June-August), remember to bring mosquito patches or spray. Due to the hot and humid weather during this season, mosquitoes are especially active in the waterside areas of the town from dusk till night.

 Nearby Attractions:
Chen Yun Memorial Hall
Grand View Garden Shanghai
Oriental Land
Dianshan Lake
Read more:
8 Best Water Towns near Shanghai
 A Complete Guide to 15 Shanghai Old Towns
Top 10 Water Towns in China
15 Free Things to Do in Shanghai
Places of Interest in Shanghai: 12 Historical Sites to Explore
15 Most Beautiful Places in Shanghai in Spring
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