Looking for an easy escape from Shanghai’s bustling streets? Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town offers a charming blend of history, traditional architecture, and scenic canals—all just a metro ride away from Shanghai.

In this guide, we’ll share how to get there, top things to do, and essential tips for making the most of your visit.

Overview

Shanghai is surrounded by several ancient water towns, each offering a glimpse into China’s past with canals, stone bridges, and traditional architecture. Some of the most famous ones include Zhujiajiao, Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Xitang, Wuzhen, and Nanxun.

We chose to visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town for a day trip because it is the easiest to reach by metro from Shanghai. This water town is also one of the largest in the region, so we decided to visit it first to understand its appeal before exploring smaller, less-known alternatives. We weren’t dissapointed!

How to Get to Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai

If you are wondering how to get to Zhujiajiao ancient town from Shanghai, the most convenient way to reach Zhujiajiao Water Town is by taking Shanghai Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Metro Station. It’s the station before the last one on that direction.Overall, it took us from Nanjing Rd. about 1.5 hours to get to to Zhujiajiao.

From there, you can either walk about 30 minutes to the entrance or take a local bus that drops you off right at the town’s main gate. Of course, taxi is always an option, on the way back from the town we got a Didi to the metro station.

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Alternatively, you can join an organised tour from Shanghai, especially if you are short on time or prefer an arranged transfer. Here is a suggestion for Zhujiajiao Water Town Half-Day Tour with Boat Ride from Shanghai.

Entrance Fees and Pass Options

At the entrance, you’ll need to buy an all-day pass, which grants access to various attractions. There are different passes available depending on how many places you want to visit:

• Route 1: 40 RMB ($5.5) – Covers 3 attractions
• Route 2: 80 RMB ($11) – Covers 5 attractions

We chose Route 2 option and managed to cover quite a few. Indeed, we did arrive around mid-day and spent some time in a supermarket looking for some souvenirs.

Best Time to Do this Trip

The best time to visit Zhujiajiao Water Town is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months when the weather is mild, and the scenery is at its most picturesque. Summers can be hot and humid, whilst winters tend to be chilly and less scenic due to bare trees and colder temperatures.

If you want to avoid the crowds, plan your trip on a weekday morning. Weekends and public holidays tend to be very busy, making it difficult to navigate the narrow streets and enjoy the town’s charm. Arriving early, ideally before 10 AM, allows you to explore before the peak tourist rush.

The streets are quieter, and you can capture reflections of the bridges and traditional buildings on the still water. Evening visits are also possible, with some parts of the town illuminated, but many attractions close earlier in the day.

Top Things to Do in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Despite being quite touristy and often packed with visitors, Zhujiajiao still has a lot of charm. The town is known for its picturesque bridges, traditional gardens, and serene canals.

When we got our pass from the Tourist Information Centre, we also got the Zhujiajiao ancient town map print-out with recommended routes. This was great as it helped us navigate around the water town.

Here’s what we did during our visit:

1. Explore Kezhi Garden – A Must See when in Zhujiajiao

One of the largest gardens in Zhujiajiao, Kezhi Garden is a mix of traditional Chinese architecture, pavilions, and rock formations. It’s a peaceful retreat from the town’s busy streets.

It closely resembles Shanghai’s Yu Garden, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere that enhances your experience.

2. Walk Through the Garden of Inseparable Hearts

This small yet romantic garden offers a scenic spot with stone pathways, ponds, and intricate carvings. It’s a nice stop and worth adding this to your list of places.

During our visit there were a lot of children drawing pictures of this picturesque view.

3. Stroll Along Dongjing Street

This lively street is lined with shops selling local snacks, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Here you will find all sorts of treats from pork and chicken feet to crispy pork belly, edible insects, and many oriental delicacies.

It’s a great place to soak in the atmosphere and try some local delicacies (not for the faint of heart!).

4. Cross the Iconic Fangsheng Bridge

Built during the Ming Dynasty, Fangsheng Bridge is the most famous bridge in Zhujiajiao. Here you can see the main canal. Whilst no Rialto Bridge, it still offers an amazing view of the city centre with its white house and grey roofs and its canals create a picturesque scene.

We enjoyed staying there for 15 minutes to soak in the view during sunset. It’s also a great spot for photos, but be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends.

5. Pay a Visit to City God Temple

Zhujiajiao City God Temple is a historical temple, dedicated to the City God (Chenghuang), a deity believed to protect the town and its people.

The temple showcases traditional Chinese architecture, with intricate carvings, red lanterns, and upturned eaves. It serves as a place for worship and cultural gatherings, reflecting the local spiritual beliefs.

6. Visit Yuan Jin Buddhist Temple

This temple, located near the main canal, provides a spiritual break from the bustling streets. The peaceful atmosphere and intricate statues make it worth a quick visit.

7. Check out Zhujiajiao Post Office

This historic post office is one of the oldest in China and still maintains its traditional architecture. However, once inside, you’ll find that it mainly functions as a souvenir shop rather than an operational post office.

The highlight of this attraction is its charming façade, which provides a great photo opportunity. If you’re short on time, a quick stop for an exterior view may be enough.

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8. See the Shanghai Helong Art Gallery

The Shanghai Helong Art Gallery is a contemporary art space showcasing traditional and modern Chinese artworks, including calligraphy and paintings. Located within the ancient water town, the gallery offers a cultural contrast to Zhujiajiao’s historic charm, making it a unique stop for art enthusiasts.

We were right next to the gallery but had to make a choice whether to visit the gallery or do a boat ride. Of course we chose the boat ride!

9. Take a Zhujiajiao Boat Ride

One of the best ways to experience the town is by taking a boat ride along the canals. The ride lasts around 15-20 minutes, allowing you to see the town from a different perspective.

We paid 200 RMB for the boat. It was a short ride but certainly picturesque and offered a different perspective of the water town.

10. Wander around Zhujiajiao

Once you are done visiting, just stroll along the narrow alleys, explore the local tea houses and street food stalls and take in the beautiful views of this picturesque water town.

Dining and Coffee Break

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Zhujiajiao, but prices can be on the higher side. We stopped for a coffee break at one of the local cafes, where an Americano costs around $6 – quite expensive for China. But the views you may ask? Absolutely worth it!

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider trying one of the many street food vendors instead.

For a different coffee break, you can also enter one of the may cafes with furry friends such as cats or dogs.

Top Tips for Visiting Zhujiajiao

Here are a few practical travel tips to make your visit to Zhujiajiao even better:

• Arrive Early: Zhujiajiao attracts many visitors, especially on weekends. Arriving early helps you avoid crowds and gives you the chance to explore the quieter streets.
• Bring Digital Payment Apps: Most vendors in Zhujiajiao only accept digital payments via QR codes (Alipay, WeChat Pay), and very few accept Western credit or debit cards. Ensure you have a mobile payment app set up in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
• Photography Tips: Zhujiajiao’s narrow alleys and canals make it an excellent place for photography. Early morning light offers the best conditions, and you’ll have fewer people in your shots.
• Dress Comfortably: Walking around Zhujiajiao can involve uneven pathways and narrow alleys, so wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. Summer visitors should bring hats or umbrellas for shade.

China eSIM for Mobile Data

Internet access in China is essential. We used Nomad eSIM which had excellent coverage in all places we visited in China and would certainly recommend.

Final Thoughts

Zhujiajiao is a great choice for a day trip from Shanghai, offering a mix of history, culture, and beautiful scenery. While it is undeniably touristy and can get crowded, it still retains its unique charm. If you’re looking for a water town that’s easy to reach and can be explored in a day, Zhujiajiao is a fantastic option.

For those planning a trip, it’s best to visit on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. Be sure to check out a Zhujiajiao Water Town Map before you go to plan your itinerary efficiently!