How to Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town (Tips, Photos & Map)

Dear Travelers

We’d like to have the following travel guide to be always updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Zhujiajiao Water Town (朱家角古镇). If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!
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Plan your Shanghai tour? While fascinated by Shanghai’s  futuristic buildings and fast developments, but if you are keenly looking for something old Shanghai, a kind of the old world charming, a half day trip can bring you to the ancient town of Zhujiajiao.

Location of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Zhujiajiao belongs to Qingpu District under the Shanghai Municipality, about 50km to the west of the Bund by road. The villages and towns on Yangtze River Delta have long used the water and canals for irrigation and transportation.

So there are many villages and towns constructed on the canal systems. Modern transportation and infrastructure have mostly taken place of old canals, but these villages and old towns have still kept using the water system for hundreds of years.  The most famous water towns around Shanghai include Zhouzhuang Water Town and Tongli Ancient Town.

If you don’t have enough time to visit Zhouzhuang Water Town and Tongli Ancient Town which are a bit far from Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Water Town is a good substitute to immerse yourself in an old town with a history of over 1700 years. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town was once a trading hub for the surrounding countryside.

ABC of Zhujiajiao Town

Its buildings can date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties ( 1368-1911).  In the past, goods and people were carried by small boats on the narrow canals from house to house, passing under numerous ancient stone bridges. Some of the canals and stone bridges are still used by the local people and now tourists as well.

Zhujiajiao Water Town boasts many old historical buildings and sites of historic interest, such as banks, rice shops,  spice stores and even a Qing Dynasty Post Office, Fangsheng Bridge, Kezhi Garden and the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple. The alleys in Zhujiajiao are teemed with numerous vendors selling souvenirs, snacks, and locals cuisine.

How to get to Zhujiajiao Water Town

Latest Update from Phil:
One major update on the directions on how to get to Zhujiajiao. There is a new metro line, 17 (an extension of line 2), that has a station at Zhujiajiao. It costs me 8 RMB for the metro from Puxi to Zhujiajiao and it takes about 80 minutes; only a little longer than it would by taxi, but much cheaper.

Once you get to the Zhujiajiao station, go out the exit that is the bridge over the road and take the stairs down to your right. From here you can either walk (about 1 km – 15 minutes), take a bus, or take a taxi to get to the tourist areas of town (I walked).

To walk turn left at the road in front of you (Zhuxi road), then take the first major right turn (Xiangningbang Road) and then take the second MAJOR left (Xinfeng Rd).

The tourist information office is a couple hundred meters down Xinfeng road on the right. On the return to the train station, we took one of the pedicabs from Xinfeng road which was 15RMB.

This place is definitely worth a visit. It is a mini Venice with an Asian flair. The boat ride is now 80RMB for up to 6 people for a 10 – 15 minute trip. Also, there are MANY bars, restaurants, and tea shops along the river. Don’t eat before you get here.

This place is good fun!

How to Visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

If you only want to spend about 1-2 hours to stroll along the old streets, see the old houses and bridges, you don’t have to pay. If you are interested in the sites of interests and historical sites, you are kindly requested to buy a thorough tickets to cover the 8 inside sites in Zhujiaojiao Water Town.

The ticketing  office ( served as Tourist Information Center as well ) just north of the KFC. Ask for an English map of Zhujiajiao from the information center. Many people would visit Zhujiajiao free of charge by just walking around the old town.

At the northern tip of Xinfeng Road (新风路) is a T-junction where you will see a direction sign, confused? You just turn right and start your Zhujiaojiao exploration. You may come back on the same route or have a loop tour and return on the other side.

a T-junction where you will see a direction sign, you just turn right.

Virtual Tour of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

You will first come across Fangsheng Bridge, the largest 5-arch stone bridge in the Yangte River Delta. It is one of the over-30 stone bridges in Zhujiajiao. Standing on the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding waterfront houses and rowing boats.

Fangsheng Bridge, the largest 5-arch stone bridge in the Yangte River Delta
Fangsheng Bridge, the largest 5-arch stone bridge in the Yangte River Delta

Standing on the bridge, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding waterfront houses and rowing boats.

Standing on the bridge
Standing on the bridge

Walking down the Fangsheng Bridge, you turn left side to explore one of the old alleys in Zhujiajiao.

Walking down the Fangsheng Bridge
Walking down the Fangsheng Bridge

The narrow lane is rife with snack stalls and souvenirs stores.

The narrow lane is rife with snack stalls and souvernir stores.
The narrow lane is rife with snack stalls and souvenirs stores.

At the end of the narrow alley, you will see a canal flanked by two waterfront streets named the same name of  Xijing Street (西井街). Three bridges span the canal with the first bridge named, Dragon Head Bridge, Dragon Body Bridge and Dragon Tail Bridge.

You walk through the Dragon Head Bridge, then walk along the other side of the street, continue to come cross the third Dragon Bridge, return on the same Xijing Bridge.

Here is the typical water town views – boats, waterfront houses, and trees, constituting an impressive scroll of Chinese traditional painting. You may take a break drinking coffee or tea in the waterfront bars.  The narrow canal is connected to the bigger canal.

The first bridge – Dragon Head Bridge ( Yong’an Bridge ) on Xijing Street.

Walk across the first bridge and stroll on the other side of Xijing Street. You will see the old water town life – rowing boats, local residents chatting,water front house and wharfs.

You may pay RMB 65 to rent a 4-6 people boat to cruise on the canals in Zhujiajiao.

You may pay RMB 65 to rent a 4-6 people boat to cruise on the canals in Zhujiajiao.
You may pay RMB 65 to rent a 4-6 people boat to cruise on the canals in Zhujiajiao.

Zhujiajiao Water Town is still inhabited by the local residents doing routine life.

Zhujiajiao Water Town is still inhabitted by the local residents doing routine life.
Zhujiajiao Water Town is still inhabited by the local residents doing routine life.

The old stone paved streets and simple stone steps used for wharfs and washing clothes and vegetables.

The old stone paved streets and simple stone steps used for wharfs
The old stone paved streets and simple stone steps used for wharfs

The second bridge Dragon Body Bridge (Zhonglong Bridge) 中龙桥

Enjoy boating on the canal
Enjoy boating on the canal

The last bridge on the canal by Xijing Street – Dragon Tail Bridge

The last bridge on the canal by Xijing Street - Dragon Tail Bridge
The last bridge on the canal by Xijing Street – Dragon Tail Bridge

This is Ao Restaurant & Bar.

This is Ao Restaurant & Bar.
This is Ao Restaurant & Bar.
 Yuanjin Buddhist Temple
Yuanjin Buddhist Temple

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 1

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 1
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 1
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 2
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 2
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 4
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 4

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 5

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 4
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 5

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 6

More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 6
More pictures taken from North Street ( Beidajie ) and its side lanes 6

Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai
Huangpu River Cruise Ticket Booking (Tickets, Photos and Map)
Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival

How to Plan a Trip to Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai on a Budget
Where to stay in Shanghai
Shanghai Layout, the city layout of Shanghai
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
Public Transportation at Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
Shanghai Hop On Hop Off
Ferry from the Bund to Pudong
The highest al fresco dining venue in China
Feeling Chinese New Year’s Atmosphere in Shanghai
Night walk along Nanjing Road in Shanghai
Top family-friendly spots to visit in Shanghai
Doing things the local way in Shanghai
How to Visit Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou and Shanghai
Shopping in Pudong Shanghai
Top 10 Shanghai Classic Vegetarian Restaurants
The Bund at Night pictures
Beijing Shanghai high speed rail
Ticket Booking for Beijing Shanghai High Speed Rail
Top 10 Shanghai Budget Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Luxury Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Boutique Hotels

Best time to visit Shanghai
Visit Shanghai in December
How to Visit Shanghai in November
Visit Shanghai in October
How to Visit Shanghai in March
Visit Shanghai in February
Shanghai in January Travel Guide

Tips for Visiting Nanjing Road in Shanghai
The Neon-Colored Nanjing Road
How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai (Tips, Photos & Map)
Foggy Pudong Skyline at Sunrise, Shanghai
The Bund and Small Pool of Rainwater
Early Morning Kite Flyers on the Bund in Shanghai
Historic Buildings on the Bund in Shanghai (the 22 heritage buildings)
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
How to Visit Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar
The Old World Charm in Shanghai (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong
How to Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town
How to Visit Qibao Ancient Town
How to Visit Tianzifang
How to Visit Xintiandi
How to Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
How to Visit Shanghai Tower
Tips for Visiting People’s Square, Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai Auto Museum

Huangpu River in Shanghai VS River Thames in London
Some similarities and differences between Paris and Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.

6 thoughts on “How to Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town (Tips, Photos & Map)

  1. I am in a wheelchair.
    Can I go to Zhujiajaio and see the sights.
    Can I go on the metro and take the bus to
    Zhujiajaio is the bus wheelchair accessible

  2. Dear Raj,

    1) Yes, you can. As far as I know, Zhujiajaio is partially accessible for wheel-chair users.

    2) It is not easy for wheel-chair users to take bus to Zhujiajiao. Unlike in UK and Canada, most of the buses here are not wheel-chair friendly.

    You’d better off arrnaging your own transport.

    Have a nice time!

  3. I will be staying at Yu garden. Is it easy to get a taxi from Zhujiajiao back to my hotel? Whats the estimated taxi fare? Appreciate your help.

  4. Johnson, we just arrived yesterday and paid $240 Yuan from our apartment 2 stops away from Yu Garden, and it was an hour taxi ride.
    Recommend you stay overnight, as you miss all the reason to be there when you are rushing. It’s a very relaxed place.

  5. One major update on the directions on how to get to Zhujiajiao. Since December 30, 2017, there is a new metro line, 17 (an extension of line 2), that has a station at Zhujiajiao so no need to take the bus as described in this article. It cost me 8 RMB for the metro from Puxi to Zhujiajiao and it took about 80 minutes; only a little longer than it would by taxi, but much cheaper.

    Once you get to the Zhujiajiao station, go out the exit that is the bridge over the road and take the stairs down to your right. From here you can either walk (about 1 km – 15 minutes), take a bus, or take a taxi to get to the tourist areas of town (I walked). To walk turn left at the road in front of you (Zhuxi road), then take the first major right turn (Xiangningbang Road) and then take the second MAJOR left (Xinfeng Rd). The tourist information office is a couple hundred meters down Xinfeng road on the right. On the return to the train station, we took one of the pedicabs from Xinfeng road which was 15RMB.

    This place is definitely worth a visit. It is a mini Venice with an Asian flair. The boat ride is now 80RMB for up to 6 people for a 10 – 15 minute trip. Also, there are MANY bars, restaurants, and tea shops along the river. Don’t eat before you get here.

    This place is good fun!

  6. Dear Phil,

    Thanks for your feedback! Much appreciated and we will have the article updated accordingly. Thanks again!

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