Zhujiajiao Water Town

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.
Zhujiajiao, Shanghai's Venice.
More Pictures
Map of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
Map of Zhujiajiao Water Town
 

Bridges in Zhujiajiao Water Town

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
Sightseeing Boats
Fangsheng Bridge in Zhujiajiao
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.
 

North Street - Ancient Street

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 in Zhujiajiao
Town God Temple
Narrow Lanes in the Town
Narrow Lanes in the Town

Kezhi Garden

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.
 

How to get to Zhujiajiao Water Town From Shanghai Downtown?

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.
Bus.no Operating Hours Interval Duration Ticket Fare
Huzhu Express Line 06:00-22:00 30 mins. 60 mins. CNY 12
05:10-21:00
Huzhu Special Line 05:50-21:00 10 mins. 90 to 120 mins. CNY 8
05:50-17:15
Note: Huzhu Express Line can be taken at Pu'an Rd East Yan'an Rd near Dashijie Metro Station of Line 8; Huzhu Special Line can be taken at Gaohong Rd Shenkung Rd near Hongqiao Airport.
Shanghai Bus / Metro Search
 

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
 

 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
 12 Popular Shanghai Activities to Survive Summer
 8 Fun Things to Do in Shanghai with Family
 Will Shanghai Snow in Winter? 8 Places to See Snow

- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Zhujiajiao Water Town
Asked by ben from SINGAPORE | Mar. 20, 2023 07:44Reply
Getting to zhujiajiao
If I stay at JinJiang Inn at Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street, 680 Nanjinglu St, Huangpu, Shanghai, how do I get to zhujiajiao watertown?
Answers (1)
Answered by Vicky | Mar. 21, 2023 18:57
00Reply


Take subway line 2 from Nanjing East Road to Hongqiao Railway Station, then change to line 17 to Zhujiajiao. Please note the Zhujiajiao subway station is about 1.5km from the water town. If you feel it difficult to cover the distance by foot, take bus no. Zhujiajiao 9 or a taxi.
Asked by Emma from CHINA | Apr. 28, 2020 19:22Reply
Booking Zhujiajiao Tickets in advance?
I have heard that places are limiting the number of visitors in order to avoid crowds. Is this true for Zhujiajiao? Should I try to book in advance for the upcoming holiday weekend since it is likely to be busy? If so, how can I do that? Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Kaylee from FINLAND | May. 06, 2020 00:15
00Reply


Yes, you need to book the tickets in advance.
Asked by cari from SHANGHAI | Apr. 05, 2020 21:53Reply
is Zhujiajiao in may or will it be closed coz of the corono virus?
Answers (1)
Answered by Connor from FINLAND | Apr. 06, 2020 20:50
00Reply


Don't worry. The scenic area has already reopen to the public.
Asked by yr from PHILIPPINES | Dec. 03, 2019 03:12Reply
Is there any useful apps we can use in Shanghai that can help us navigate from point A to point B?
Answers (2)
Answered by Avery from FRENCH GUIANA | Dec. 04, 2019 00:11
00Reply


You can download Baidu Map or Amap (Gaode Map).
Answered by Hristo | Apr. 15, 2023 19:49
00Reply


Both apps have only Chinese interface, and hence very difficult to use it.
Asked by chai suk yen from MALAYSIA | Oct. 22, 2019 01:55Reply
If i stay in shanghai golden tulip bund new asia hotel, how do i get to zhujiajiao water town?
Answers (1)
Answered by Kenny from USA | Oct. 24, 2019 20:49
00Reply


You can take metro line 10 from Tiantong Rd station to Hongqiao Railway station, then transfer to metro line 17 to Zhujiajiao station. It takes 2 hours with CNY8.
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