Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town: An Exploration of Old Shanghai Culture
5.0
11 Ratings
Shanghai
Discover the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao and immerse yourself in the rich culture of old Shanghai. Explore historic bridges, Qing dynasty streets, and local shops, and indulge in traditional snacks. Then, choose from a range of iconic Shanghai highlights or off-the-beaten-path experiences. Book your flexible one-day tour now!
Duration: 9 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Zhujiajiao is a water town just an hour outside of Shanghai. It was established about 1,700 years ago. It features 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao, and many ancient buildings still line the riverbanks today. The many shops nestled into the historic buildings and stone streets lined are bustling with with food vendors. Gondola rides along the canals are popular activities are included. Qing Dynasty Post Office, Yuanjin Buddhist Temple visit will make your water town tour complete.

  • Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - This garden dates back to 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. A classic Chinese Garden rich in history, you’ll see a wide range of halls, statues, rock structures, water features as well as the famous Grand Rockery and Exquisite Jade Rocks.

  • Yuyuan Old Street - Nearby Yuyuan Garden is old Shanghai and its complex area of shops, streets and places to taste Shanghai’s folk customs, authentic Shanghai snacks and local cuisine. The colorful lamps on the antique buildings also make it a beautiful landscape.

  • The Bund (Wai Tan) - The Shanghai Bund has dozens of historical buildings, lining the Huangpu River, that once housed numerous banks, trading houses and consulates from all over Europe, Asia and the United States. The area highlights Shanghai’s western influence in architecture and culture and today offers a beautiful walkway along the Huangpu River while learning about Shanghai’s history.

  • Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu) - This iconic symbol of Shanghai, at 468 m (1,535 feet) high, was the tallest structure in China from 1994 to 2007. It is classified a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. An observation deck is in the highest sphere with glass floor 360-degree view.

  • Former French Concession - Enjoy the atmosphere of east meets west or one of the new popular places. This area is rich in the history of China when colonial powers had a significant presence in Shanghai. It has unique architecture while bustling with people along tree-lined streets.

  • Jade Buddha Temple - The Jade Buddha Temple was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Burma by sea. These were a sitting Buddha (1.95 meters tall, 3 tons), and a smaller reclining Buddha representing the Buddha’s death. The temple now also contains a much larger reclining Buddha made of marble, donated from Singapore.

  • Fuxing Park - Fuxing Park is located in the former French Concession. It was once the largest park in Shanghai and laid out by the French in 1909. About 10 hectare in size it features a lake, fountains, covered pavilions, and flowerbeds. Early morning, the park fills with dancers, card players, mahjong enthusiasts, tai chi and artists.

What's Included
  • Local snacks tasting
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • Private guide
  • Choice of up to three Shanghai sites with entrance fees included
  • Air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
  • Gondola ride
What's Not Included
  • Full sit down lunch (You can choose as you like)
  • Tips-recommended
Additional Information

This flexible one day tour starts with a short trip just one hour outside of Shanghai to the serene charm of Zhujiajiao ancient water town. On this 9 hours tour you’ll explore ancient bridges like Fangsheng Bridge and stroll Qing dynasty streets and enjoy Ming and Qing dynasty architecture while diving into local shops, the unique Qing Dynasty Post Office, rural authentic Yuanjin Buddhist Temple and you’ll sample local snacks such as sticky rice dumplings (zong zi) and steamed pork wrapped in bamboo leaves (zha rou) as well as traditional Chinese candies. This tour also includes a relaxing site-filled gondola ride.

You’ll then return to Shanghai to visit several iconic highlights of your choice. You’ll discuss with your guide and visit any of:

  • Yuyuan Garden,
  • Old Shanghai Street
  • The Bund
  • Former French Concession
  • Jade Buddha Temple
  • PearlTV Tower
  • Shanghai Tower

Or go off the beaten path to explore the Propaganda Poster Center, world’s largest Starbucks or shop.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please wear comfortable shoes
  • To secure your Yuyuan Garden Ticket and bypass queues, please provide your full name along with your passport number.
Location
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
No.36 Meizhou Road, Qingpu District, Zhujiajiao Town
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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Markus
Mar 9, 2024
Great tour to ancient Watertowns and to Shangjhai - As a group of four on a cruise in Asia, we booked a two-day excursion with Jenny‘s Tour to visit ancient Watertowns in the surroundings of Shanghai and the former French concession and the Bund in Shanghai. It was a wonderful experience. Our tour guide Troy, a serious and personable fellow, was very knowledgeable about Chinese history and culture. He picked us up at the cruise terminal the two mornings with a driver in a comfortable modern car. Our cultural and historical sightseeing was only interrupted by two delicious lunch breaks with Suzhou noodles and Chinese dumplings. Last but not least Troy spontaneously took me to a.Chinese hospital as I suddenly had a serious health problem. The Chinese doctor could immediately help and I was well treated such that we could continue the journey. Great tour. Very recommendable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Conrad_d
Feb 5, 2024
Amazing day - We have an amazing day with Cathy, see is a really passionate and positive person and informed a lot during the rainy day ;-) we can recommend to all this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Josemanuel_m
Jan 25, 2024
Amazing - Apple is one of the best tour guides we have ever had. She is very polite and very friendly. She gave us an amazing tour. She even took us to a place where we bought souvenirs for a better price. Vehicle was very clean and recent model.
Review provided by Viator
_s5282kh
Dec 9, 2023
Shanghai one day tour - In the morning, we arranged to go to Yu Garden in Shanghai. The garden was beautiful and the tour guide’s explanation gave us a full understanding of the connotation of Chinese gardens. Then we visited the Jade Buddha Temple and experienced different religious atmospheres. For lunch, we tried the unique local snack pan-fried buns. It’s just that the restaurant is small and there are no restrooms, which is inconvenient. I went to Zhujiajiao in the afternoon, which is a quaint town. If you have bad leg strength, remember to plan your walking route first. In addition, there are easy traffic jams on Fridays, so avoid traveling during this time. All in all, it was a wonderful day. journey
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawnsoh
Sep 2, 2023
Amazing Shanghai - This is my first time in China. Booked a day tour in Shanghai - went to Shanghai Tower, South Bund Fabric Market & Zhujiajao Water Town. Yuyuan Garden was a bonus as we had extra time. Shanghai tower is a must see to get an overview of the city. It's an amazing and clever architecture. The fabric market is a good place to get tailored clothes for yourself. My tour guide, Alice, was so helpful - she helped me to bargain! Zhujiajao is my highlight of the tour - I love the alleyways, the shops, the local food, boat ride and especially the vibe of the ancient town. Yuyuan Garden is the city's old town filled with modernity. I am really thankful to Alice, for making my first trip to China enjoyable and enlightening at the same time. Did I mention that she's so helpful? She even helped me to look for a cream that my friend wanted, called the pharmacy to ask if it was available and especially made a detour for me to go to the pharmacy to purchase the cream. That's going the extra mile and I am really grateful and thankful. I would definitely return to China again and would be happy to join a friendly tour/guide like Jenny's Shanghai Tour. Thank you once again 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
_c6593om
Jun 6, 2023
Very pleasant experience - I want to express my deep gratitude to Jenny. I believe this is exactly the way a travel business should be run. Professional! Interesting! At the highest level! Special thanks for the organization of the cake on my birthday and gifts for all members of our group - it was an especially pleasant surprise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D1004kumichelleh
Jan 20, 2020
Water village amazing - Amazing tour Peggy was a wonderful tour guide , so much knowledge and spoke fabulous English. Highly recommend this tour if visiting China. Ask for Peggy! Water village and the private garden was so beautiful. Also private car was clean and new.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vacation40745
Nov 15, 2019
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! - Jenny's tour far exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Apple was absolutely wonderful, knowledgeable, pleasant, friendly and sweet. We are so glad to have had this experience. We had a 15 hour layover in Shanghai. We contacted Jenny in advance and she put an itinerary together for us. Apple met us at the airport and saw us off on the Maglev since we wanted to experience it. Our day was full of beautiful sights and adventure. I would love to return one day. We got to see the authentic way people live and even experienced a local lunch spot. It was a delicious experience! By the end of the day, we felt we spent the day with a dear friend. I HIGHLY recommend Jenny's Tours for a memmorible experience of a lifetime ❣️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Degrootbegroot
Oct 10, 2019
Visit Watertown - The visit to the Watertown was a nice day, including the visit to the Budha temple. The guide and taxi were very helpfull and friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Pwtsang
Oct 3, 2019
Awesome experience with kids and also just adults! - We were 2 families with 4 kids ranging 7-13 yr old. Alice was amazing in taking us around the water village and then Shanghai Tower. She was so very thoughtful when she found out it was one of the kid’s birthday, she surprised us with a birthday cake at lunch! The birthday boy was super excited. This was the type of personal touch that you alway hope for when you book a tour. Alice was also very accommodating and help adjust the schedule especially when the kids got tired. We also did an adult food tour with her where we had some amazing food. This was one amazing trip. The kids have been talking about it ever since! Thank you, Alice!! I would and will recommend her to our friend who are looking for a tour guide in shanghai!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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