Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Historical Overview

• Song Dynasty Origins (10th–13th centuries): Established as a fishing village along the Dianshan Lake-Huangpu River waterway.
• Ming-Qing Prosperity (14th–19th centuries): Flourished as a grain transportation hub, with over 200 shops lining its canals.
• Republican Era (20th century): Declined with the shift to rail transport but preserved its historical fabric.
• Modern Revival (2000s): Restored as a cultural tourism site, balancing heritage protection with visitor access.

Structural Layout

The town follows a "water-town" layout with three main zones:

1. Core Canal Zone:
   • North Street (Bei Dajie): 1,000-meter-long pedestrian street lined with Ming-Qing shops and the 24m-tall Fangsheng Bridge.
   • West Canal: Home to the 18th-century Kezhi Garden and the red-walled Daxing Temple.
2. Residential Zone:
   • Ming-Qing Houses: Over 40 courtyard residences with white walls, black tiles, and carved wooden doorframes.
   • Ancestral Halls: Family temples like the Wang Family Ancestral Hall, featuring stone carvings and genealogy records.
3. Cultural Space:
   • Post Office Museum: Housed in China’s oldest surviving post office (built 1903).
   • Art Galleries: Modern studios displaying Jiangnan-style ink paintings and calligraphy.

Key structures:

• Fangsheng Bridge: A 12m-tall, 72m-long five-arch stone bridge offering panoramic canal views.
• Kezhi Garden: A 1.5-acre Qing Dynasty garden with rockeries, pavilions, and a 300-year-old ginkgo tree.

Major Attractions

1. Fangsheng Bridge: Walk across Shanghai’s largest stone arch bridge, built in 1571.
2. Kezhi Garden: Explore Qing Dynasty landscaping with a "mountain-in-the-house" rockery design.
3. Daxing Temple: Visit a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple housing a 5-ton bronze bell.
4. Post Office Museum: Learn about early 20th-century mail delivery in this restored Republic-era building.
5. Boat Tours: Glide through canals on traditional wooden boats (¥150–200/hour).

Suggested Itineraries

1. Classic Route (2–3 hours):
   Entrance → North Street → Fangsheng Bridge → Kezhi Garden → Daxing Temple → Boat Tour → Exit
   Highlights: Iconic bridges, gardens, and canal views.

2. Extended Route (4–5 hours):
   Entrance → Post Office Museum → Wang Family Ancestral Hall → West Canal → Art Galleries → North Street → Exit
   Highlights: Cultural heritage and local art.

3. Comprehensive Route (Full Day):
   Entrance → Fangsheng Bridge → Kezhi Garden → Daxing Temple → Boat Tour → Post Office Museum → Wang Family Ancestral Hall → West Canal → Art Galleries → North Street → Exit
   Highlights: In-depth exploration of architecture, history, and culture.

Ticket Purchase

• Entrance Fees (2025):
  • Core Scenic Area: Free access to public canals and streets; individual attractions charge ¥10–40.
  • Combo Tickets: ¥80 (includes Kezhi Garden, Daxing Temple, and boat tour).
  • Discounts: 50% off for students/seniors; free for children under 1.2m.
• Online Booking: Available via Ctrip or WeChat mini-program “Zhujiajiao Ancient Town” (up to 7 days in advance).

Transportation

From Shanghai City:

• By Metro: Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Station (Exit 3), then 10-minute walk or ¥5 shuttle bus.
• By Bus: Routes 9, 17, or 1510 from Shanghai Hongqiao Station.
• By Taxi: 1-hour ride (¥120–150 from People’s Square).

From Hangzhou/Suzhou:

• By High-Speed Rail: Hangzhou East/Suzhou North → Shanghai Hongqiao → Metro Line 17 to Zhujiajiao.
• By Car: G50 Expressway → Zhujiajiao Exit (1.5 hours from Suzhou).

Best Time & Tips

• Optimal Seasons: March–May (cherry blossoms), September–November (autumn foliage).
• Avoid: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (tour group crowds).
• Essentials:
  • Comfortable shoes for cobblestone paths.
  • Umbrella for occasional rain (Jiangnan’s "drizzle culture").
  • Cash for small antique shops.
• Prohibited Items: Smoking in historic buildings, feeding fish in canals.
• Photography Tips:
  • Golden Hour: Capture bridge reflections 1 hour before sunset.
  • Macro Mode: Detail shots of carved wooden doorframes.