[2025 Shanghai Attraction] Travel Guide for Hexinyuan (Updated Dec)

A beautiful and pleasant ancient water town in Jiangnan. After getting off at Zhujiajiao Station on Metro Line 17, it's about an 18-minute walk to the entrance. Upon entering, you first pass by a Wangzai Club, which is a specialty store for Wangwang Foods. I bought a lot of Wangwang snacks there, and they also sell plates shaped like Wangwang Senbei, which are very cute. The entire Zhujiajiao Town is quite large, with plenty to eat, drink, and see. It takes half a day to a full day to explore. There's no entrance fee to enter Zhujiajiao Town, but some historical sites require separate tickets. You can also buy a combined ticket, which is cheaper. Must-see attractions and historical sites include: Fangsheng Bridge, the Qing Dynasty Post Office, Hexinyuan, Kezhi Garden, Zhujiajiao Club Teahouse, and more. You can also leisurely take a boat ride or rent Hanfu for photos. There are many dining options within the streets. Soy sauce shrimp, zha ti, zha rou, and zongzi are famous local delicacies. Grandma's zongzi is oily, fragrant, and cheap, so it's worth a try. Tourists visiting Shanghai should definitely take a trip to Zhujiajiao Town. It's only an hour's drive from the bustling city to this ancient water town. A different side of Shanghai, but equally wonderful.

Compared to Wuzhen‼️ I have a deeper affection for this ancient town in Shanghai that doesn't require an entrance fee.|| Wuzhen is indeed beautiful, but it has a stronger commercial atmosphere. In contrast, I prefer Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Shanghai, whose scenery is no less stunning than Wuzhen's, yet it has a more authentic living atmosphere: potted plants at the street corners, smoke from the rooftops, clothes drying on the balconies, and delicious street food... No wonder locals from Shanghai also come here often to visit! 📍Address: No. 555, Kezhiyuan Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai. 🚇Transportation: You can take Metro Line 17 and get off at Exit 1 of Zhujiajiao Station (a 1.5 km walk is required), or take the 1510 tourist bus line at Exit 5, or take a boat into Zhujiajiao after exiting from Metro Exit 1. 🚗Self-driving: Navigate to Entrance 1 or Entrance 2 of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, both of which have parking lots. 🎫Ticket: No entrance fee is required, open all day. Some small attractions within the scenic area charge a fee (you can buy a joint ticket for 60 yuan/person, which includes Kezhiyuan, Hexinyuan, and Helong Art Museum). ➡️My travel route: Starting from Entrance 1 of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town》Kezhiyuan》Hexinyuan》Fangsheng Bridge》Taian Bridge》Yuanjin Zen Monastery》North Street》Lang Bridge》Zhujiajiao Chenghuang Temple》Zhujiajiao Daqing Post Office Just taking photos along the way and strolling and eating at will, that's roughly the casual route I took. 1️⃣Kezhiyuan, originally the private garden of Ma Wenqing, also known as 'Ma's Garden', where you can enjoy the landscape of Jiangnan gardens. 2️⃣Hexinyuan, also a garden-style architecture, slightly smaller than Kezhiyuan, but the scenery is equally impressive. 3️⃣Fangsheng Bridge, the 'longest', tallest, and largest five-arched bridge in Shanghai, where a life-release ceremony is held under the bridge on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. 4️⃣Taian Bridge, the steepest single-arch bridge in the ancient town. 5️⃣Yuanjin Zen Monastery, originally enshrined the image of the Chen State Holy Mother, commonly known as the 'Goddess Temple'. Climbing the bell tower offers a view of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. 6️⃣North Street, the busiest street in the town, with various art shops and food stores, including Handalong Soy Garden. 7️⃣Lang Bridge, this is the iconic building of the ancient water towns in the Jiangnan area. 8️⃣Zhujiajiao Chenghuang Temple, the temple enshrines the City God Lord and his wife. 9️⃣Zhujiajiao Daqing Post Office, established in 1903, where you can buy figurines and get stamps. ‼️【Hand-rowed Boat】There are several boat piers in the ancient town, ‼️【Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Delicacies】 For Shanghainese, childhood delicacies include the presence of Zhujiajiao, such as ginkgo tree grandma's rice dumplings, Handalong Soy Garden, tied meat, snails, fermented rice, mung bean cake, and so on...

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is an absolutely stunning place that looks like it’s been frozen in history. Every corner is absolutely stunning and photo worthy but this area was one of my favorites. Hexin Garden / 和心园 also known as Garden of Inseparable Hearts or Garden of Harmonious Hearts (when it comes to translations sometimes you’ll find multiple so it’s good to know them all) is a beautiful spot to come and take pictures. It used to be a garden of officials and it really feels like you’re visiting somewhere back in time. Tip: You can buy passes for this individually or there is a pass for three different attractions in the area. Tip 2: We went to another museum right before and they had food for the koi fish. But we didn’t use it all so we used it here. But maybe you can buy koi fish food here too!

As Shanghai’s first Jiangnan water town striving for a 5A rating, Zhujiajiao features a layout of "36 bridges, 9 streets, and thousands of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings," offering the most leisurely slow life by the water. With a network of rivers, black-awning boats drifting past Fangsheng Bridge, and the bustling North Street mingling with the scent of osmanthus, you can both check in at scenes from the drama "Blossoms" and live waterside to escape the world and relax. This comprehensive guide covering play, food, lodging, and pitfalls will help you unlock an authentic experience. 1. Must-Do Check-ins: Covering Classic and Niche Activities Core Attractions You Must Experience - Fangsheng Bridge: Shanghai’s largest five-arch stone bridge, stunning in the early morning mist or at sunset. Wearing Hanfu here for photos creates a perfect atmosphere. It’s the best spot to overlook the entire water town. - Kezhi Garden: The top Jiangnan garden, with a five-story Moon Viewing Tower overlooking the whole town. The rockery, lotus pond, and nine-bend bridge combined with rice paddies inside the garden offer a rich farming and scholarly cultural experience. Perfect for ancient-style photos with a 100% success rate. - Qing Dynasty Post Office: The only Qing dynasty post office site in East China. Open 10:00-16:00 for stamping exclusive commemorative seals. Send a postcard "through time and space" to unlock the nostalgic vibe from "Blossoms." - North Street (Main Street): A living fossil of Ming and Qing architecture, lined with shops on both sides of the bluestone road. The aroma of cured meat and steaming zongzi fills the air, making it the core street to feel the town’s lively atmosphere. Niche New Activities - Night Tour on Black-Awning Boats: 30 RMB/person, sailing from Fangsheng Bridge to Kezhi Garden. The boatwoman hums folk tunes while the riverside light show highlights ancient buildings. The night view is breathtaking. - Early Market Fresh Finds: 7:00-9:00 near Zhuxiyuan, local elders sell fresh river delicacies and strawberries. Experience the most authentic water town life. - Countryside Cycling: Ride along the Zhu Mao River, passing rice fields and villages, ending at Ledao Xintian Homestay. Immerse yourself in pristine natural scenery. Practical Route Recommendations - In-depth Tour (5 hours): Tourist Center → Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum → Kezhi Garden → Hexinyuan → Fangsheng Bridge → Shanghai Helong Art Museum → Handalong Sauce Garden → Qing Dynasty Post Office → Chenghuang Temple Pier. - Easy Tour (3.5 hours): Line 17 Zhujiajiao Station → Fangsheng Bridge → Yongquan Bridge → Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum → Kezhi Garden → Hexinyuan → North Street → Return. 2. Must-Try Food: Authentic Flavors + Pitfall Avoidance Guide Signature Food List - Grandma’s Zongzi: The most authentic at the North Street flagship store, juicy fresh meat filling with fragrant sesame and pine nuts. Sold over 500 pieces during the Lantern Festival. A top souvenir choice (recommended to buy near the scenic exit, 6 RMB each, buy 10 get 2 free for better value). - River Fresh Feast: Must-order dishes include boiled white rice shrimp, snails stuffed with meat, and braised water bamboo shoots. For whitefish, choose restaurants outside the core area, priced 25-35 RMB each, to avoid overpriced 68 RMB fish in the core area. - Classic Snacks: Begonia cake with flowing red bean paste, chewy and refreshing tangerine cake, richly flavored braised beef with balanced softness and firmness—perfect companions for a food stroll. - Recommended Farmhouse Dishes: Dongtian Shifu specializes in local fresh vegetables and river delicacies. Authentic dishes served directly at Dongtian Fuju Homestay, convenient and delicious. Pitfall Warnings - Prices vary greatly for the same products. For candied fruits and flower teas, buy deeper inside the town. Candied fruits cost 38 RMB per half jin in the core area, but only 35 RMB per jin in shops further in. - Beware of flower tea priced at "1.5 RMB/gram" (equivalent to 750 RMB per jin) to avoid misleading purchases. 3. Waterside Lodging: Choose from 4 Types of Unique Homestays Core Ancient Town Area (Walking Distance to Attractions) - Jingtin Homestay: Converted Ming and Qing old house by the river with a courtyard featuring osmanthus trees. The fragrance during osmanthus season is intoxicating. A Ctrip five-star homestay, ideal for visitors who love Jiangnan culture (Address: 54, 56 Xijing Street). - Qingxi Cottage: Close to the river, white walls and black tiles blend with the water town style. The host is warm and recommends local food and folk stories, full of lively atmosphere (Address: 146 Dongshi Street). Quiet Countryside Area (Away from the Bustle) - Ledao Xintian Homestay: A standalone courtyard by the Zhu Mao River, divided into Mingxin Residence (great for gatherings with billiards and board games) and Haixin House (exclusive for parties). Open the window to rice fields and starry skies (Address: 273 Zhoujiagang Village). - Dongtian Fuju: Elegant homestay amid farmland with 10 room types, paired with Dongtian Shifu restaurant. Quiet public areas and countryside scenery right outside the door (Address: 287 Longdian, Wanlong Village). Best Value Choice - Chayuan Boutique Inn: An ancient-style inn deep in an alley, rooms facing the street and river priced 300-600 RMB/night. Features a riverside tea room to enjoy tea and views, perfect for photos (8-minute walk to Chenghuang Temple). 4. Transportation and Practical Tips - Transportation: Metro Line 17 Zhujiajiao Station, transfer to bus or walk 15 minutes to reach; self-driving navigation to "Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Parking Lot," convenient parking. - Tickets: The ancient town is free to enter; small attractions like Kezhi Garden charge separately. Purchase as needed. - Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are best. Enjoy flowers from March to May, crabs from September to November, and avoid holiday peak times. - Hidden Perks: Some homestays offer local guide services—ask upon check-in. Bargaining is acceptable at the early market, and buying river delicacies by weight is more cost-effective.

🎥 Zhujiajiao Ancient Town -- Founded during the Song and Yuan dynasties, it became an important commercial hub in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing periods. It preserves a large number of Ming and Qing buildings and traditional styles. Its core area is surrounded by water systems such as the ancient canal and Dianshan Lake, forming a unique Jiangnan water town pattern. It features the typical Jiangnan water town scenery of "small bridges and flowing water, ancient alleys crisscrossing," including historical buildings like Fangsheng Bridge (the largest five-arch stone bridge in East China), the Old Qing Dynasty Post Office, Yuanjin Zen Temple, City God Temple, Hexinyuan, and Kezhiyuan. In 1991, it was named one of Shanghai’s "Four Major Cultural Towns," and in 2017, it was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists, covering traditional crafts, folk customs, and other intangible cultural heritage. Tickets: The ancient town is free to enter; some attractions charge extra -- Some attraction combo tickets can be purchased online for 75 RMB -- Boat rides cost 200 RMB per boat (there are different price levels, some more expensive) with A and B routes; there are 3 boarding points at the dock (choose when buying tickets) Opening hours: Open all day -- Ticketed attractions: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Recommended visit duration -- Half a day to 1 day Our travel route: Eat outside the scenic area - Ginkgo Square/Cimen Street - City God Temple Bridge - Old Qing Dynasty Post Office - City God Temple - Yuanjin Zen Temple - Taian Bridge - Jiangnan’s First Teahouse - North Street - Fangsheng Bridge - Nayuki Tea/Luckin Coffee - Fangsheng Bridge - Zhushi Market - Grandma’s Teahouse - Yong’an Bridge - Simin Residence Sales Center - Xijing Street Caohatan/No. 121 Xijing Street - Hexinyuan - Kezhiyuan - Quanhua Watercolor Art Museum/No. 1 Gate of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Jingxuyuan - McDonald’s - Handalong Sauce Garden - Tongtianhe Chinese Medicine Shop (under construction) ps: 1) The last two places can also be visited together with the area around the Old Qing Dynasty Post Office after seeing it. We chose them on the way back to the original bus stop. 2) If you don’t buy tickets for extra-charge attractions, you can still wander freely. I made this guide mainly to avoid retracing steps and optimized the plan a bit. But in reality, it’s almost impossible not to backtrack at all; some areas require crossing bridges back and forth. However, since the scenery along the ancient town is very gentle and pleasant, walking those few times feels quite romantic. Parts I didn’t quite understand: 1) The Old Qing Dynasty Post Office is now a place selling cultural and creative products. Loose stamps, said to be for ordinary letters and postcards, but an 80-cent stamp is sold for 5 RMB... I only realized after paying that the stamp’s face value was just 80 cents... felt cheated. 2) Opposite Jiangnan’s First Teahouse is "Orange is Hot," a store selling dried fruits. Different dried fruits were supposed to be half a catty each, but when picking each kind, they took a lot, and the total weight was over the limit. Even before my mom heard clearly, Alipay had already deducted the payment... Luckily, I came over later. After noticing something was wrong and speaking up, the staff reluctantly took some back and refunded the corresponding amount. But after this back-and-forth, the impression was spoiled. It feels like... if they want to quickly strive for a 5A scenic spot rating, they need to eliminate these kinds of merchant behaviors that make consumers feel "cheated." Otherwise, the hygiene and service of the scenic area are quite good. Definitely worth a visit~ ---- For detailed introductions related to the scenic area, you can refer to the "Happy Tour Zhujiajiao" WeChat public account~

#favouriteitinerary Hexin Garden embodies the refined elegance and meticulous design characteristic of Jiangnan gardens. Its layout, attention to detail, and serene atmosphere create a space that is both beautiful and tranquil. Personal Opinion: In my opinion, Hexin Garden is a perfect example of Jiangnan garden artistry. Its combination of intricate design and peaceful ambiance makes it a wonderful place to experience the true essence of Jiangnan's garden culture.

📍Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, Shanghai 🚇: Zhujiajiao Station, Metro Line 17 🎫: The ancient town is open all day for free, but some attractions in the town charge admission (Kezhi Garden, Hexin Garden, Helong Art Museum). Tickets for paid attractions can be purchased on the "Le You Zhujiajiao" WeChat account or on site. [Attraction Introduction] Kezhi Garden: A private garden villa that combines the essence of Jiangnan gardens with Western elements. Hexin Garden: Smaller than Kezhi Garden, but the pavilions and towers in the garden are exquisite and elegant, with a view at every step. Fangsheng Bridge: The largest and longest five-hole stone arch bridge in Shanghai, known as the "First Bridge in Shanghai". Helong Art Museum: The exhibition area covers a total of 800 square meters and is said to be the art museum with the largest collection of works by Haipai masters in Shanghai. Yuanjin Zen Temple: The temple offers a wide view of the boats coming and going. It's very pleasant to have a cup of tea at the teahouse on the opposite bank. City God Temple: Don't miss the theater, the big abacus, and the ginkgo tree. Qing Dynasty Post Office: The former site of a Qing Dynasty post office, with some small items such as notebooks, refrigerator magnets, and bookmarks.

Hexinyuan Garden in Qingpu is a masterpiece of garden design, with its pavilions and towers arranged in a harmonious and picturesque manner. The rockeries and ponds complement each other, and as you stroll through the garden, you will find a new view at every turn. In spring, the garden is a riot of colors, with flowers in full bloom, red as fire and pink as clouds. In summer, the garden is shaded by lush green trees, and a gentle breeze brings a refreshing coolness. In autumn, the ginkgo trees turn golden, the maple leaves are as red as fire, and the fallen leaves create a poetic scene. In winter, the plum blossoms stand proudly in the snow, exuding a subtle fragrance and adding a unique charm to the garden. This is not only a place of natural beauty but also a sanctuary for the soul. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the world, weary souls can find peace here. Whether you sit quietly in a pavilion, listening to the sound of the wind and the birds, or stroll along the lakeside, watching the fish play among the lotus leaves, you will find your inner restlessness gradually dissipating, and you will be immersed in the harmonious atmosphere of nature. Experience the unique charm and tranquility of Hexinyuan Garden in Qingpu.

Hexin Garden is a private garden in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, near the east gate of Kezhi Garden. The name comes from the Hexin Pavilion in the garden, which was moved from the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The old house has four courtyards and a garden at the back. There are many antiques in the garden, showing the owner's careful management. I came here today, but it was a bit late, so I didn't get to go in and enjoy it. I only took photos of the garden and the tour information for reference. The garden is left blank for those who are destined to come and visit.

He Xinyuan, around Shanghai | Escape to the stunning secret of Zhujiagou in the south of the Yangtze River on weekends. I went to Zhujiagou on Sunday, thinking that the ancient towns are all beautiful, just stroll around, the fact is indeed the layout is almost the same, but unexpectedly, I found a very low-key small garden, I was amazed! , It's very, very comfortable to stroll around... The owner of the courtyard takes care of it very well, the complete layout, green plants, every flower, grass and wood, are not inferior to those gardens in Suzhou. It's also considered that I've been to the four major gardens in Suzhou and Yuyuan many times, and I feel that the garden is not about the size, but mainly about the layout and aura inside. The famous gardens, too many people, too mixed, there is no way to peek into some of the details and cleverness, all the unique caves are covered by the crowd. The 'Xiaochanglu Guanji Tie' hall in the garden, which collects more than 50 original stone carvings from the modern stone carvers Wu Changshuo, Ye Ming, and Wu Yin, which took four years to carve, is a treasure of Zhenyuan, and it is very worth seeing for friends who like calligraphy. Fortunately, I was born in the south and can enjoy the beauty of the gardens in the south of the Yangtze River.