Zhujiajiao Old Town
» Shanghai, Jiang Su

朱家角镇 ‘小桥流水天然景,原汁原味明清街’

Located on the banks of Dianshan Lake in the western suburbs of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao covers a total of 138 square kilometers, including an ancient-town area of 2.7 sq. kms. The canal town (an enchanting place that is often compared to Venice, Italy), is about 50 kilometers away from the city centre. It was found almost 1700 years ago, and became prosperous with cloth and rice businesses.

Another name - 'Pearl Stream'

Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the little 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

Dating back Ming Dynasty

Villages and fairs first sprung up during the Three Kingdoms period, 1,700 years ago, and during the Wanli Reign of the Ming Dynasty, it developed into this flourishing town, with a sizable population and booming businesses.

One of the four famous ancient town

It is listed as one of the four famous ancient towns by Shanghai government. After visits of participants in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Shanghai in 2001, the town became more famous and frequented. Zhujiajiao was developed in to a town in the Ming Dynasty and in its prime in the 1930's, there were over 70 rice stores here and its rice was transported to many parts of the country.

Getting around

In Zhujiajiao Town, traditional-style streets, markets and architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties are well preserved, and certain traditional crafts have been restored. Aboard the black-awning skiffs floating along the canal, fishermen ply their hauls, while country girls dressed in bright colors pick water chestnuts.

What to see

There are still remains of historical sites like old rice and oil stores, ancient bridges. There is numerous rivers criss-crossing the town, 9 long streets run along the river, thousands of ancient buildings stand on the banks of the rivers with more than 30 old bridges adding to the beauty of the town and every bridge is unique and has its own story to tell.

Bridges

It is said that to visit Zhujiajaio without seeing the bridges means that you have not really been to Zhujiajiao at all! Bridges in the town are distinctive and old, built during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The old town is thoroughly connected by 36 delicate spans in different shapes and styles, from wooden to stone to marble.

Fangsheng Bridge

Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-fish-free Bridge) is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge, with five openings both in Zhujiajiao and in the 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.

Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge)

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

Ancient Street

In the town, there is an ancient street filled with representative ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, attracting great numbers of domestic and foreign tourists. That is North Street, which is the best preserved ancient street in this suburb of Shanghai. 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.

Private Gardens

Like many other waterside towns in this region, Zhujiajiao has several private gardens which used to be owned by official and landlords but have now opened to the public. Among the ancient architecture, Ke Zhi Yuan is the largest manorial garden in the town. The garden is commonly named 'Ma Family Garden' after a former host named Ma Wenqin.

Ke Zhi Yuan

Located in Xijin Street in the northern part of town, Ke Zhi Yuan 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 the town.

Daqing Youju

Daqing Youju, a post office in the Qing Dynasty, was set up in 1862 and is a proof of the past importance of this small town. Letters written on bamboo and other wood, and early stamps and envelopes will leave people amazed at how fast the postal and information processes have developed.

Yuanjin Chanyuan

Yuanjin Chanyuan, a temple constructed in 1341, is also worth a visit. Chenghuangmiao (City-God Temple) is a temple where Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) is still worshipped and is popular for its Taoist faith.

What to do

Walking along the zigzag of narrow streets and past the shops in the center of town, you will see how the locals really live as they go about their daily labors. Sitting on the window at the river side and it was really a nice view of the boats traveling along the canals. It was one of the most memorable moments to have the food in this hotel which was open to both sides, one towards the road side and to the river side too.You will also enjoy a leisurely boat ride, taste the local food, or just relax by the river under majestic willow trees.

Where to eat

There are so many Chinese restaurants where one can get the real taste of the Chinese food; it is difficult to find food other than the Chinese. On the river side there are hundreds of small hotels, serving delicious food. A teahouse, local elders having tea sip every where thus came to know that tea is very important here, the cost per cup is mere 1 Yuan, old men sip tea, play chess, and chat, always with smiles of content.Apart from tea, there are inexpensive snacks, rice dumplings stuffed with pork.

More suggestions for visit

Get to there

Zhujiajiao is only 30 km from Shanghai Hongqiao international airport. You can take tour bus 4 at Shanghai Stadium(Shanghai Stadium No.4 gate); Jingshen Corp. special line bus at Renmin Square(Lao Chengdubei Road, Dagu-Lukou); Qiangsheng Corp. special line bus at Madang Road(intersection with Jingling Road).

Take a tourist bus from the shanghai indoor stadium which took a nominal charge of 10 RMB to the town and travel time of around 90 minutes. Many buses are available to this town on every 30 minutes, its always better to go by bus rather than the taxi which will charge around 150 RMB one way.

Duration of Visit

Please note that one needs at lest 5-6 hours to visit all the places in the town, so its always better to start early in the morning for this place and leave around 5pm. People here knows a bit of English so it is a great help.

How to bargain

Lots of shops with local hand made items are here, but be careful to judge the price as they will demand almost 8-10 times more than the actual price and if you are not aware of this, may be you will pay more for cheap items. A wooden boat in a small shop could asked RMB 250 and finally the deal was settled for RMB 20, so you had better imagine the amount of bargain.

Where to accommodate

Zhujiajiao is an ancient town, so there is lack of space to create new buildings, the local government does not permit any private guesthouses within the ancient town itself. Therefore, there are limited selections for accommodation. But this town is just one hour from the main city, so there is no need of staying there. Please do pay some attention to the white washed walls and black tiled roofs, and brick paved narrow streets in the town. Some houses have nicely carved windows frames with little garden, gives a clear picture of ancient town's people.

Attractions around » Shanghai, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Nightlife

Nightlife

Day Entertainment & Sports

Day Entertainment & Sports

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

  Weather

  1. What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?
  2. What's the best season for traveling there?

  Transportation

  1. What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

  Food

  1. What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?
  2. What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

  Shopping

  1. Where is the most famous area for shopping here?
  2. Where can we visit on our spare time?

  Travel

  1. How about Shanghai's nightlife?

  Other Hints

  1. How many airports do Shanghai have?
  2. What is the city code of Shanghai?

  • What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?

    The four seasons are easy to tell apart. The weather is pleasant, and the number of all kinds of products is large in Spring and Autumn.

    Every June and July is the mold rain season, so it is usually humid in hotel rooms. Umbrella is a necessary thing to bring with during the rainy weather.

    The coldest time is from late January to early February. Even though there is not much snow, warm clothes are still needed, because cold wind is always unendurable. Hotel rooms are equipped with air-conditions, so please stay warm in the room.

    It is usually super hot in July and August. Weather with higher than 35 C usually stays for about ten days, so that prevention from overheat is very necessary.


  • What's the best season for traveling there?

    After humid mold rain season and cold winter, there comes the Spring with blooming flowers, or the Autumn with falling red leaves, which are the best the seasons for trevaling.


  • What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

    Travel line in the east China includes Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It usually takes about 2C3 hours to travel between cities. Medicine that prevents car-sickness is necessary.

    Multi-city traveling usually requires travelers to put up each night in different cities. Please take care of your belongings when checking out.


  • What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?

    Shanghai cuisine is a mixture of five different cuisines and western food. Apart from its local food, it also has Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Guangdong cuisine, Hunan cuisine, Yangzhou cuisine, Chaozhou Cuisine, Anhui Cuisine and vegetarian cuisine, etc.

    Of course, Italian food, Russian food, French food, Vietnamese food, Korean food and Japanese food can also be found in Shanghai.

    Local people like food with light seasoning and light sweetness. Rice is their main food. People that like strong seasoning can prepare their own seasonings.

    Travelers with special needs please give us notice before hand, so we can prepare for you earlier according to your requirements.


  • What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

    Shanghai Nanxiang Dumplings, Crab Roe Dumplings, Steamed Dumplings Filled with Minced Meat and Gravy, Fermented Rice with Pigeon Eggs, Rib Rice Cakes, Eggs Boiled with Five Ingredients, Five Ingredients Beans, etc. There are a lot of delicious local food.

    Please mind the sanitation when enjoying the tasty food.


  • Where is the most famous area for shopping here?

    The shopping heaven in Shanghai is Nanjing Road. It has a name of 'the number one shopping street in China.' Now all kinds of stores have been opened by all kinds of business people. There are not only old stores that have hundreds of years, but also modern shopping malls like Friendship Europe Shopping Mall, Mancton Square, HUalian Shopping Center, etc.

    Huaihai Road is as famous as Nanjing Road. Shopping malls are standing at each side of the road: Guangna World Center, Paris Spring, Meimei Shopping Center, Parkson, etc. World famous brand can all be found in the shopping malls, which make Shanghai a shopping center of world class.

    Sichuan North Road's stores offer reasonable prices, which attracts a lot of common people. Xizangzhong Road had developed food and travel industry.


  • Where can we visit on our spare time?

    Shanghai is where Chinese movie originated. It is also where a lot of international movie festivals take place. There are world-class theaters. Famous movies and latest movies can all be found in Shanghai's movie theaters.

    Huanyi Movie Theather on Nanjing West Road, Yongle Palace on Anfu Road are the most famous movie theathers in Shanghai.

    You can also go to teahouse. Different from traditional teahouse, the teahouse in Shanghai adds more modern atmosphere that attracts more and more young people.

    New theme parks and amusement parks in Shanghai are good choices too. Modern equipments and beautiful natural scenes will bring you to the ideal land.


  • How about Shanghai's nightlife?

    Bars, KTV and DISCO are indispensable in a busy city like Shanghai. Beautiful lights are like the reflection of the stars, lightening the whole city and bring the city endless liveliness.

    Blue Belt Night Club, Night Paris and the famous Big World are all well known and loved by young people. Dancing people and fragrant martini will make you forget about tiredness and start to enjoy the charm of Shanghai city.


  • How many airports does Shanghai have?

    There are two international airports in Shanghai, which are Hongqiao Aireport and Pudong International Airport.

    Hundreds of airlines are in service, which can reach to every big and medium city in China and some cities in each country.

    Air traffic is very convenient. Pudong International Airport is mainly for international airlines, while Hongqiao Airport is mainly for national airlines.


  • What is the city code of Shanghai?

    Shanghai's area code: 021


Zhujiajiao (The Pearl Stream) is a beautiful water town on the banks of the Yangtze an hour outside of Shanghai. The 47 square kilometer town is almost 1700 years old. Its beauty lies in its lovely streams, which reflect the traditional houses built on their banks. Large and small gondola-like boats in typical Chinese style ply the waters all around the city, taking tourists and locals alike to where they need to go.

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