Zhujiajiao Water Town in Shanghai

Why is Zhujiajiao Water Town so Special?

Zhujiajiao ancient town is given another elegant name-“Pearl River”, which is the best preserved of the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique ancient bridges span gurgling streams, small rivers covered by Liu Yin, and houses with courtyards, connecting all means of transportation living in the hustle and bustle of modern big cities to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquility.

Where is Zhujiajiao Water Town?

Zhujiajiao Watertown is located in Qingpu District of Shanghai, also known as Zhujiajiao Watertown. It has a history of more than 1700 years. The 47-square-kilometer (11,614-acre) fan-shaped town is regarded as Venice in Shanghai, sparkling like a bright pearl in the lake and mountain scenery.

Main Attraction of Zhujiajiao Water Town

Bridges in Zhujiajiao Water Town

It is said that going to Zhujiajiao Watertown without looking at the bridge means that you have never really been to Zhujiajiao! The bridges here are unique and ancient, built in Ming and Qing dynasties. The old town of Zhujiajiao was connected by 36 delicate spans of different shapes and styles, from wood to stone to marble.

Fangsheng Bridge is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge in Shanghai with five openings. This bridge was built in 1571. On the bridge stands a stele called Longmen Stone, engraved with eight coiled dragons and surrounded by a shining pearl. At the top of the bridge are four lifelike stone lions.

North Street – Ancient Street

There is an ancient street in Zhujiajiao Watertown, which is full of representative ancient buildings of Ming and Qing dynasties, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. That is North Street, the best preserved ancient street in this suburb. Only one kilometer long, the whole street is simple and elegant. Walking along this ancient avenue, enjoying historic buildings, shops with a long history, old bridges and many narrow alleys is another kind of enjoyment.

Kezhi Garden

Zhujiajiao ancient town has magnificent gardens and ancient dwellings built in Ming and Qing dynasties. In ancient architecture, the garden of Kezhi is the largest manor garden. This garden is usually named “Majia Garden” after its former owner, Ma Qinwen.

Kezhi Garden is located in Xijin Street in the north of Zhujiajiao Watertown, with beautiful scenery and quiet environment. It mainly consists of three parts, including a hall area, an artificial hill area and a garden area. In the artificial hill area, there is a magnificent symbolic building-a square five-story building, at the top of which stands a pavilion with a diameter of “moon pavilion”, which is considered to be the tallest building in Zhujiajiao town.

The scenic spots outlined here are just one example of the beautiful scenic spots in Zhujiajiao Watertown. Ancient narrow alleys, strange stone anchor chains by the river and ancient houses also make you happy enough to forget to go home.

Best Time to Travel Zhujiajiao Water Town

The best travel time is spring and autumn, usually March-may and September-November.

Catkin, peach blossom and flying warbler are most suitable for outing in the suburbs in spring. Peach Blossoms in Nanhui, Cherry Blossoms in Gu Village Park and Tulips in Shanghai’s Fresh Flower Port are in full bloom. They are the best time to enjoy flowers. Autumn with red leaves all over the sky is the best time to taste hairy crabs. The so-called “autumn wind is ringing and crab legs itch”. At this time, hairy crabs have yellow legs, thick crab fat and beautiful crab meat, which make people drool.

How to Get There

  • By metro
    Take Metro Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Station; after arrival, walk north for about 15mins to the town.
  • By bus
    Take Huzhu Express Line or Huzhu Special Line to Zhujiajiao Bus Station first. Then walk west around 15mins to arrive at the scenic area.

Useful Travel Tips

Entrance Fee Visitors are exempted from the entrance fees. However, they are required to buy the tickets for visiting the attractions inside the water town. Below are some combo tickets:

1. CNY 30 for four scenic spots (including Tongtianhe Medicine Shop, Qing Dynasty Post Office, Y-Art Gallery, and Kezhi Garden);
2. CNY 60 for eight scenic spots (including Y-Art Gallery, Tongtianhe Medicine Shop, Qing Dynasty Post Office, City God Temple, Yuanjin Meditation Room, Handwork Exhibition Hall, Quanhua Art Hall and Kezhi Garden);
3. CNY 80 for cruise boat and eight scenic spots metioned above.

Free for children below 1.3 meters (4.3 feet).

Opening Hours 8:30 – 16:30
  • The rainy season is from mid-June to early July, with continuous rain.  From the end of August to the first half of September is the typhoon season, often with sudden storms, these two periods of travel to Shanghai must take umbrellas.
  • The entertainment life in Shanghai is quite rich. The modern facilities and natural scenery in major theme parks and parks make people feel relieved and happy.  Shanghai, as the birthplace of Chinese movies and the host of one of the world’s nine major film festivals, has many cinemas with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment, which can experience incomparable viewing effects.  If you are a fan and fan, then in Shanghai, a series of world-class art venues and theatres will definitely make you feel full of happiness.
  • You can buy a wide range of Shanghai specialties, snacks and handicrafts in Shanghai, such as spiced beans and pear paste candy from the Old City God Temple, which are generally available in local specialty stores and supermarkets.

Nearby Attractions

Recommended Shanghai Tour Packages

Edited by Doreen/张洋