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 tranquillity.

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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 and old, built during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The old Zhujiajiao 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) is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge, with five openings both in Shanghai region. This bridge was built in 1571. 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.
  

Sightseeing Boats

Fangsheng Bridge

Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge), also named Huimin Bridge, is the only wooden bridge and the most featured span in Zhujiajiao Water Town. It has wooden bars on the two sides and upturned eaves above, just like a narrow corridor.
 

In the Zhujiajiao Water Town, there is an ancient street filled with representative ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, attracting great numbers of domestic and foreign visitors. That is North Street, which is the best preserved ancient street in this suburb. Only one kilometer long, the whole street is at once primitively simple, yet very elegant. Strolling on this ancient thoroughfare and appreciating the historic buildings, long-established stores, and old bridges as well as the many narrow lanes is another enjoyment.
  

Town God Temple

Narrow Lanes in the Town

Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town boasts imposing gardens as well as ancient dwellings built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among the ancient architecture, Kezhi Garden is the largest manorial garden. The garden is commonly named 'Ma Family Garden' after a former host named Ma Wenqin.

Located in Xijin Street in the northern part of Zhujiajiao Water Town, Kezhi Garden features beautiful sightseeing and quiet and secluded surroundings. It consists mainly of three parts, including a hall area, an artificial hill area and a garden area. In the artificial hill area, there is magnificent symbolic architecture - a foursquare five-story building, on the top of which stands a diametric pavilion named 'Moon View Pavilion.' This building is considered the tallest architecture in Zhujiajiao Town.

The scenic spots outlined here are just a sampling of the pretty attractions of Zhujiajiao Water Town. Old narrow lanes, peculiar stone hawsers on the riverside and old residences also make you enjoy yourself so much as to forget to go home.
 

Take Metro Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Station; after arrival, walk north for about 15mins to the town.
 

Take Yangtze River Delta Demonstration Zone Line  6 at Oriental Land metro station to Zhujiajiao Water Town.
 

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: CNY80 for seven scenic spots in the town: Kezhi Garden,The Garden of Inseparable Hearts “Hexinyuan”, Shanghai Helong Art Gallery, Shanghai Handicraft Zhujiajiao Exhibition Hall, City God Temple, Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, Quanhua Museum CNY40 for Kezhi Garden, City God Temple, Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, Shanghai Handicraft Zhujiajiao Exhibition Hall CNY60 for Kezhi Garden, The Garden of Inseparable Hearts “Hexinyuan”, Shanghai Helong Art Gallery, Quanhua Museum Free for children below 1.3 meters (4.3 feet).

Opening Hours

8:30 - 16:30

 

 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
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