Zhujiajiao Water Town: Top Things to Do & Visitor Guide

Zhujiajiiao Water Town is an accessible and fascinating day trip from Shanghai. It's a mere 45.9 kilometers from the city's center and well worth the trip if you want to see a preserved ancient town over 1,700 years old. The idyllic streets of Zhujiajiao Water Town are perfect for strolling, getting some excellent photographs, and learning more about the cultural and historical relevance of this part of China.

This town is great to visit any time of year. It is full of original Qing and Ming Dynasty architecture and dozens of picturesque stone bridges. Take a cruise along the water, step back in time at the Qing Dynasty-era post office, or take a relaxing gondola ride down the river to see a whole different side of the settlement.

Essential Information for Zhujiajiao Water Town

The aerial view of Zhujiajiao Water Town

• Location: The Tourist Service Center, where you can get plenty of information about the town's history and what to see, is at No.555, Kezhiyuan Road, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. The town is 40-45 minutes by car from the center of Shanghai. Alternatively, you can take subway line number 17 from the center of Shanghai to the town.
• Opening Hours: The shops, streets, and gondolas run all day and into the night, but many of the attractions have specific hours and generally close at 4:30 p.m. Zhujiajiao Water Town is stunning at night, so it's advisable to visit by day and into the evening to take in the great scenery.
• Entrance Ticket: There's no fee to visit the city, but there may be entrance fees to visit different attractions. You can also purchase a combination ticket that allows you to see several attractions.

Things To Do and Highlights

Zhujiajiao Water Town gives you an authentic taste of what life was like during the Qing and Ming Dynasties. Although there had been development in the region during the earlier Yuan and Song Dynasties, Zhujiajiao Water Town truly came into its own when Ming Dynasty Emperor Wanli recognized its significance and made it a town. Today, examples of Qing and Ming Dynasty structures dot every street in the town, and you'll also find 36 stone bridges crisscrossing the town's waterways.

Visitors can also enjoy some of the region's fantastic cuisine, like fermented bean curd with rose flavoring, pork zongzi, and roast soybeans. We can help you craft the perfect itinerary in Zhujiajiao Water Town, complete with a private guide and car, stop for lunch and a visit to all of the town's highlights.

Take a Gondola Trip

Gondola trip in Zhujiajiao

One of the most memorable ways to fully soak in the beauty of Zhujiajiao Water Town is to see it by gondola. Although prices will vary depending on how many people you have and how long you'd like to travel, they generally cost between 200 and 300 RMB per boat with a maximum occupancy of six people. These rides allow you to see much of the town and take some truly stunning photographs, including of the town's signature stone bridges. You can find gondolas near the City God Temple, Fangsheng Bridge, and Kezhi Yuan.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

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Visit North Street

A street in Zhujiajiao

North Street, or Bei Dajie, is an incredibly well-preserved street with some of the finest examples of Qing Dynasty architecture in Zhujiajiao Water Town. It's also an excellent place to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee or a bite to eat. The fusion of modern shops and ancient structures makes this spot unique, and it's a must-visit destination in Zhujiajiao Water Town.

See Kezhi Garden

Kezhi Garden

Located on Xijing Street, the Kezhi Garden is an idyllic, well-maintained destination built in 1912. It features a picturesque garden, pavilion, and main hall. This spot is one of the best in Zhujiajiao Water Town for perfect photographs.

Cross Multiple Bridges

A bridge in Zhujiajiao

Visitors will also find 36 bridges throughout the town. It's certainly an experience to sail under them by gondola, but many visitors also like to cross them on foot. Key bridges include the Fangsheng Bridge, which is adorned with four fantastic lion sculptures and sits near the Dragon Gate Stone, another example of elegant ancient stonework. Huimin, or Lane Bridge, is a unique wooden bridge that's become one of Zhujiajiao Water Town's most iconic images.

Visit the Qing Dynasty Post Office

The entrance and inside of the post office

The ancient post office is one of the most interesting pieces of Qing Dynasty history in Zhujiajiao Water Town. Visitors can see actual correspondence transcribed on bamboo and preserved postcards from a bygone era. Visiting this post office is a great way to see what day-to-day life was like for the people who lived in this part of China.

See the Museums and Temples

The antiques in the museum in Zhujiajiao

If you want to understand the cultural and historical context of Zhujiajiao Water Town, a visit to the Cultural and Art Museum is an absolute must. Visitors can see how the town changed through the different dynasties and admire relics from the past. Additionally, the Buddhist Yuanjin Zen Temple, with its gorgeous gardens and serene architecture, is an excellent place to unwind during your visit.

The City God Temple is another excellent place to visit, and depending on when you tour Zhujiajiao Water Town, you might even get a peek into some authentic religious customs.

How to Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town

Relax and enjoy local snack in Zhujiajiao

We can help you arrange a pleasant, lively, and relaxing day trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Since this village has so much to offer, we recommend devoting a full day to exploring its charms and trying the local food. It's good to visit all year round, but it can get busier during the summer and holidays.

We also recommend arriving at Zhujiajiao Water Town in the morning so that you have enough time to visit as many attractions, historical places, and museums as you wish. You can also book your gondola ride for the morning when it's less likely to be as crowded and spend your afternoon in places like Kezhi Garden.

Travel Tips

Admire the view of Zhujiajiao

While your stay at Zhujiajiao Water Town is bound to be memorable no matter what happens, there are a few things you can do to maximize your trip and fully enjoy yourself. Booking popular activities, like gondola rides, before the crowds arrive is a wise choice and leaves you plenty of free time later.

You'll also be doing quite a bit of walking, so comfortable shoes and light, loose-fitting clothes are a good idea. Visitors should also bring cash if local vendors or street stalls don't take credit. Finally, while you'll want to take plenty of pictures, it's important to remember that people live in Zhujiajiao Water Town and might not want to be the subject of your photograph. Respecting their space and still getting those incredible photos is a win for everyone.

Visit Shanghai's Ancient and Impressive Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao Water Town is an excellent place to see preserved Qing and Ming Dynasty architecture and explore a whole different side of China. We can help you set up the trip of your dreams. Contact us at China Odyssey Tours and get started today.