Zhujiajiao Water Town - "Venice of Shanghai"

Zhujiajiao (朱家角) Water Town, or Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, reputed as "Venice of Shanghai", was listed as one of the top four cultural ancient towns in Shanghai, about 48 kilometers west from Shanghai downtown area. Standing as the most expansive water town in the region, Zhujiajiao spans an impressive 150 hectare which is three times larger than Zhouzhuang Water Town (周庄) in Suzhou.

Someone called it a dazzling pearl situated along Dianshan Lake (淀山湖) and now this 1700-year-old ancient town is still bright and flourishing. Once you visit this gorgeous town, the beautiful scene will fix in your memory - clear waters with traditional boats sailing on, old bridges standing across the rivers, thousands of Ming-Qing architectures flanking both banks of the river, old and long streets stretching through the whole town, exquisite garden like classical Chinsese landscaping… It is primitive, full of charm and enjoyment. It is an exquisite water town taking you to relax your body and mind for a day trip from Shanghai.

Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥), built in 1571, is standing across Caogang River (漕港河), linking the north and south part of Zhujiajiao. As the longest, largest, and tallest five-arched bridge in Shanghai, it is renowned as the "No. 1 Bridge of Shanghai" and serves as the town’s iconic landmark.

The name "Fangsheng" (放生) means "releasing life", reflecting its historical role as a site where monks and Buddhists would gather on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month to free captive animals as an act of compassion.

With a length of 70.8 meters, a width of 5.8 meters, and a height of 7.4 meters, the bridge offers a picturesque view of Ming-Qing-style architecture - whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs lining the riverbanks, complemented by traditional boats gliding along the water. Whether under sunlight, rain, or mist, the scenery becomes even more enchanting, making it a perfect spot for travelers and photographers to capture the timeless charm of Zhujiajiao.

Impressed by Concept of Life in Kezhi Garden

Kezhi Garden (课植园) is a famous garden in Jiangnan and a brilliant pearl in Zhujiajiao. The former owner was Ma Weiqi (马维骐) whose family were salt merchants for generations, being one of the richest men in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Covering an area of 96.7 hectare, Kezhi Garden boasts over 200 meticulously arranged buildings and living quarters, each thoughtfully positioned to create a harmonious balance.

Kezhi implies that people should study and farm to keep the house. The garden is divided into three distinct sections: the residential area, the rockery area, and the garden area. It masterfully blends the finest elements of classical Jiangnan gardens, featuring replicas of iconic structures such as the Zigzag Bridge from Shanghai’s Yu Garden and the Lion Pavilion from Suzhou’s Lion Grove Garden. Beyond its traditional Chinese influences, the garden also incorporates Western architectural styles. Wangyue Tower (望月楼) and Shucheng (书城) are the architectures with a combination of Chinese and Western style. The poetries of the Four Scholars of Jiangnan (Tang, Zhu, Wen and Zhou) in the Ming Dynasty were inscribed on the tablet corridor. This synthesis of cultural and artistic traditions makes it a truly exceptional landscape.

The Garden of Inseperable Hearts, also called Hexin Garden (和心园), is a garden-style private museum covering an area of approximately 3000 square meters. Blending Jiangnan water town aesthetics with imperial artifacts, the garden presents priceless collections from Ming and Qing dynasties. Its exquisite elements like the auspicious "Purple Dawn from the East" brick-carved gate tower and the emerald-green, double-tiered Hexin Pavilion - all masterfully showcase the poetic elegance of classical Chinese garden design. The philosophy "where museum meets living poetry" comes alive.

Stroll along Hundred-year-old North Street

The North Street (北大街) is the most well-preserved Ming-Qing Street in Shanghai. Strolling leisurely along the stone-paved old street, you’ll be immersed in the busy commercialized feeling and explore different kinds of art shops and century-old brand shops, like Club Teahouse, Handalong Sauce, and Pickles Shop and see the locals talking with each other over the window on the second floor. Walking on the street and looking up, you’ll find the sky turning into a finedraw, so the North Street is also called “A Street of Finedraw”.

Embrace Buddhist Culture on Yuanjin Buddhist Temple

Founded during the Yuan Dynasty (1341), Yuanjin Buddhist Temple (圆津禅院) stands as a revered Buddhist cultural sanctuary with over 600 years of spiritual heritage. This temple enshrines Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and so the temple is called “Niang Niang Temple”. Travelers can explore the peaceful temple by visiting the Maitreya Hall, Hall of Three Saints (Amitabha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta), Yongyue Well, Yuantong Treasure Hall, and Qinghua Pavilion. Though compact in size with limited statues, Yuanjin Temple astonishes visitors with its meticulously crafted Buddhist treasures. Each sacred image here represents the pinnacle of traditional religious artistry.

Zhujiajiao was flourished with Buddhism and Taoism in ancient times. You have known that Yuanjin is a Buddhist temple while this City God Temple (城隍庙) is one of Shanghai's most significant Taoist sacred sites. The main duty of City God Temple is to protect the wellness and happiness of the local people. Entering into the temple, you’ll see a screen wall with “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” and a pair of stone lions. Besides, travelers can have a look at the three treasures – the old drama stage, big abacus and hundred-year-old gingko tree.

Know Postal History by Visit Qing-dynasty Post Office

Do you know the history and development of post and postal service in China? Paying a short visit to the Qing Post Office (大清邮局) which is the only well-kept Qing-dynasty post site in Shanghai, you will have a brief understanding about the thousand-year-long post and postal service of China. It was first set in 1903 and in the exhibition hall, you can see different kinds of Qing postcards which represent the living condition and folk customs of different social strata.

Relax on Lovely Water to Enjoy Fascinating Scenery

Spend about 30 minutes relaxing yourselves on a boat sailing on the lovely water and you’ll enjoy the fascinating scenery of Zhujiajiao along the way. Travelers usually take the following popular routes: Fangsheng Bridge – Kezhi Garden, City God Temple – Kezhi Garden and Kezhi Garden – Fangsheng Bridge. The maximum number of tourists on a boat is six people, which is comfortable and less crowded.

There are 4 piers scattered in the whole town and the boats will pass Yong’an Bridge (永安桥), Zhonglong Bridge (中龙桥), Tai’an Bridge (泰安桥), Lang Bridge (廊桥), Chenghuang Bridge (城隍桥) and Yongfeng Bridge (永丰桥) and traditional buildings and sites along the way. Please discuss your favorite route with your local tour guide.

Zhujiajiao Water Town is not very big. You can walk around it and have a tour for about half a day to one day. For the most authentic experience, be sure to take a scenic boat tour along its peaceful canals.

Essence Walking Route

It's a half-day walking itinerary covering 5 paid attractions. You can stroll along its ancient canals, stone bridges, and narrow lanes.

Tourist Center - Kezhi Garden - Hexin Garden - Yongan Bridge - Apo Teahouse - Fangsheng Bridge - North Street - Shanghai Helong Art Gallery - Taian Bridge - Yuanjin Buddhist Temple - City God Temple - Post Office of Qing Dynasty - Tourist Center

Essence Boating Route

It's an ideal half-day itinerary combining scenic walks and a picturesque boat ride, covering 3 paid attractions. The boat ride provides unique angles of the water town.

Tourist Center - Kezhi Garden - Hexin Garden - Kezhi Garden Wharf by Boat - City God Temple Wharf - Post Office of Qing Dynasty - North Street - Shanghai Helong Art Gallery - Jiangnan First Tea House - Fangsheng Bridge - Apo Teahouse - Tourist Center

Leisure Route

Spend a delightful day in Zhujiajiao Water Town, this comprehensive itinerary with walking and boating experience is perfect! 5 paid attractions are included.

Tourist Center - Kezhi Garden - Hexin Garden - Kezhi Garden Wharf by Boat - North Street Wharf - North Street - Shanghai Helong Art Gallery - Taian Bridge - Yuanjin Buddhist Temple - City God Temple - Post Office of Qing Dynasty - Yongfeng Bridge - Zhongguanyin Bridge - North Street - Shanghai Helong Art Gallery - Jiangnan First Tea House - Fangsheng Bridge - Apo Teahouse- Tourist Center

Zhujiajiao Water Town is located Qingpu district, about 48 kilometers west of Shanghai downtown Shanghai. With convenient public transportation systems, tourists cou can easily transfer from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao by car (0.5~1 hr), metro (1hr), or direct tourist bus (1~1.5hrs).

• By Metro: You can take the subway line 17 from Hongqiao Stop (Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station) to Zhujiajiao Stop with a duration of about 1 hour. After getting off the metro, tourists can choose to walk for 2.5 km or take a bus to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Check more about Shanghai Metro >>
• By Direct Tourist Bus: Travelers can take buses at People's Square (Pu’an Jinling Road) which takes about 1~1.5 hour.
• Travel with China Discovery (Top Recommended): If you want to get rid of the hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Zhujiajiao Water Town with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing. Please feel free to contact us!

Note: The above is the general transportation information and may subject to change and for reference only.

Spend 2 to 3 days exploring Shanghai’s unique blend of Western and Eastern influences!

Usually, tourists spend 2 days sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, historical Wukang Road, informative Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can visit Zhujiajiao Water Town or enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park in the suburb.

☛ 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour
☛ 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
☛ 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

For a change of scenery, consider these easy getaways:

Suzhou (30 min by high-speed train) - Famous for its classical gardens and charming water towns.

Hangzhou (1 hour by high-speed train) - Renowned for the poetic West Lake and Longjing tea plantations.

Yellow Mountain (3 hours by high-speed train) - Breathtaking peaks and UNESCO-listed landscapes.

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
☛ 6 Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train
☛ 5 Days Shanghai Huangshan Tour by High Speed Train
☛ 9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

Start Your China Adventure from Shanghai

As a major international hub, Shanghai is the ideal gateway for exploring China—many travelers begin or end their journeys here. If you're a first-timer, we recommend extending your trip to iconic destinations like Beijing (Great Wall & Forbidden City), Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors), Zhangjiajie (Avatar-inspired peaks), and Guilin (karst landscapes & idyllic river views).

☛ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing/Xian/Shanghai)
☛ 10 Days Classic China Tour (Shanghai/Guilin/Xian/Beijing)
☛ 13 Days China Landscape Tour including Zhangjiajie and Guilin(Beijing/Xian/Zhangjiajie/Guilin/Shanghai)
☛ 17 Days China Paradise Tour with Tibet Discovery & Yangtze Cruise

Travel with China Discovery

As a leading travel agency in China which dedicates to offering high-quality China tours, China Discovery has helped thousands of travelers enjoy their trips to Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, etc., in China. Travel with us, you can enjoy worry-free tour services as well as well-organized itineraries, even our assistance of Chinese Visa application, convenient airport/train station pick-up & drop-off and transfer between all scenic spots, knowledgeable tour guide, safe & licensed private vehicle, satisfactory accommodation and dining and so on. You are free to choose from our most popular Shanghai tour packages or contact us to design a memorable holiday in Shanghai, China.