Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Tickets & Guide

iIf you want to swap Shanghai’s glass towers and crowded shopping streets for stone bridges, quiet canals and old riverside houses, Zhujiajiao is one of the easiest places to do it. This guide covers how to get there, what to see, ticket options for the paid attractions, what to eat, and practical tips for making the most of your visit.

What Is Zhujiajiao Ancient Town?

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (朱家角古镇) is a canal town in the Qingpu District of China, about 48 km west of central Shanghai. Roughly translated, the name means "Zhu Family Corner," named after the family that originally settled in this river bend. 

It sits right on the edge of Dianshan Lake, built around a network of canals, stone laneways, and waterways. There’s over 1,700 years of history to explore here, and the whole place was officially listed as one of Shanghai’s four HIstorical and Cultural Towns in 1991, and added to the national list in 2007. 

The impressive architecture dates to the Ming and Qing Dynasty (1300s to 1900s), with whitewashed houses, dark-tiled roofs, and 36 stone bridges. In recent years as its popularity has grown, the old streets have filled with cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops, and food stalls. 

How to Get To Zhujiajiao From Shanghai

Visiting the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town on a day trip from Shanghai is pretty straightforward thanks to a direct metro connection. 

By Metro

Transfer from Line 2 or Line 10 at Hongqiao Railway Station, from where you can get Line 17 to Zhujiajiao Station. The ride from Hongqiao takes about 40 minutes; if you’re coming from central Shanghai (People's Square or Nanjing Road), you’ll have to transfer there, so allow around 75 to 90 minutes in total for the journey. 

A metro ticket from Hongqiao Railway Station is CNY 6 (AUD $1.25), and from People’s Square, CNY 8 (AUD $1.66). 

From the station, look for Exit 1, where it’ll take you about 20 to 30 minutes to walk to the old town entrance. You can also grab a pedicab if you would rather not walk, but make sure to agree on the price before setting off. 

By Bus

You can catch the Huzhu Express Bus (沪朱高速快线) from Pu'an Road near East Yan’an Road, a short walk south of People’s Square. The journey takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and at time of writing, costs CNY 12 (AUD $2.50). 

By Taxi or Private Transfer

A taxi or Didi from central Shanghai will take around 60 to 90 minutes on the Expressway, depending on traffic. It’s the most expensive option, landing somewhere between CNY 200 and 250 (AUD $40 to 50). 

The final option is to book a tour, with half-day and full-day tours available on Trip.com that bundle everything together: the transfer, a guide at the ancient town, and your entrance tickets. 

Ticket Options at Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is free to enter. You can wander the narrow lanes, cross the old stone bridges and enjoy the canal views without buying an admission ticket. Food, shopping, boat rides and entry to certain attractions cost extra. 

Attraction Combo Ticket and Sightseeing Cruise

If you’d like to explore beyond the streets and canals, Trip.com offers a three-attraction combo ticket and a separate sightseeing cruise ticket.

Of course, if you’re interested in visiting the gardens and the art museum, the combo ticket is the way to go. If you’re coming for a leisurely wander in the atmospheric streets, canal photos and snack stops, you can simply enjoy the town without buying a ticket. 

What to See in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Most people come for the canal scenery, with old houses, water lined with willows, and arched stone bridges. Here are the big highlights: 

Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥)

This is where you’d find me, the photographer, first thing, as it’s the classic photo go get in Zhujiajio Ancient Town. This is the largest stone bridge in the Shanghai region, built during the Ming Dynasty in 1571 with five stone arches. For the classic shot, the middle of the bridge provides great views of the boats in the water and the houses lining both banks of the river. 

Canal Boat Ride (摇橹船)

Another one of the bigger highlights is to take a boat ride on the canal. Traditional wooden boats punted by local boatwomen will take you on a paddle through the canals. It’s a classic experience to have in Zhujiajiao, so don’t skip it. 

The boats can hold up to 6 passengers, and the ride lasts around 20 to 30 minutes. 

Kezhi Garden (课植园)

Kezhi Garden is the largest private garden in Zhujiajiao, built in the early 1900s with a mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles. It’s a peaceful place away from the busy streets, featuring pavilions, rock formations, lotus ponds, and more. It’s included in the combo ticket.

North Street (北大街)

For shopping and food, head straight to North Street, the oldest and longest shopping street in Zhujiajiao running along the canal. Here you’ll find Ming and Qing-era shopfronts that sell local snacks, handicrafts, tea, and souvenirs. It’s a crowded place, and full of food stalls as well. My recommendation is to come here first thing before tour groups arrive. 

Qing Dynasty Post Office (大清邮局旧址)

Inside the only remaining Qing-era post offices in eastern China, there’s a small museum that sells postcards that you can have stamped with a traditional postmark. It’s a fun and quick stop where you can send some beautiful postcards to friends and family at home. 

Yuan Jin Buddhist Temple (圆津禅院)

This Buddhist temple was originally built in 1341 and rebuilt in 1573. It’s small and peaceful, and comes included with the combo ticket. 

City God Temple (城隍庙)

Another temple, this one a Taoist temple located in the centre of town. A brief stop with some interesting architecture. 

What to Eat in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

There’s a strong street food scene in Zhujiajiao along North Street and the surrounding lanes, so come hungry. Here’s what to try: 

• Zongzi: These are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Zhujiajiao's version is larger than what you will find in most of China and comes in both sweet and savoury fillings. The local favourites are the pork-filled ones. 
• Braised pork trotters: Look out for whole trotters hanging up in shop windows along North Street, as those stalls will sell these braised port trotters. They’re slow-cooked in soy sauce until they fall apart, with a rich, sweet flavour. 
• Freshwater river shrimp: Stir-fried or deep-fried, seasonal but common in the canal-side restaurants. A Shanghai regional speciality worth trying.
• Stinky tofu: Deep-fried and served on a stick. You will smell it before you see the stall. Love it or hate it, it is part of the experience.

There are also a lot of sit-down restaurants along the canal, serving Jiangnan-style cuisine (the broader regional cooking of the Yangtze River Delta area). Note that prices are a bit inflated for tourists compared to central Shanghai. 

Practical Tips for Visiting Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

• How long to spend: Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours, which is enough to walk the main streets, visit one or two paid attractions, eat some street food, and take a canal boat ride. You can stretch it to a full day if you prefer a slower pace and want to sit by the canal with a coffee.
• Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the most comfortable weather. Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid, and Zhujiajiao has very little shade. Avoid Chinese public holidays, especially Golden Week (first week of October) and Labour Day (first week of May), when domestic tourist numbers are enormous.
• Crowds: As usual, weekends are significantly busier than weekdays, so if you can avoid Saturday or Sunday, you’ll have a much more relaxed experience. It also pays to arrive before 10 AM if you’re travelling yourself to beat the tour groups. 
• Getting around inside the town: You’ll be walking everywhere inside the town, and the lanes are narrow and paved with stone, so wear comfortable shoes. 
• Payment: Most stalls and shops accept mobile payment (Alipay and WeChat Pay). Some also accept cash (CNY). International credit cards are not widely accepted at small vendors, so set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go if you can.
• Toilets: Public toilets are available throughout the town. They are generally clean, but carry tissues just in case.
• Opening hours: The town streets are accessible all day, but the paid attractions and most shops operate from approximately 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Plan to arrive and leave during these hours to get the most out of your visit. 

Where to Stay Near Zhujiajiao Ancient Town