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Top 10 Photogenic Old Water Towns near Shanghai

There are many beautiful old water towns around Shanghai, the pleasant scenery of small bridges and water and mouth-watering local snacks will make you linger on. Let us come together to explore the Top 10 Photogenic Old Water Towns near Shanghai.




 

1. Zhaojia Lou 召稼楼


Zhaojia Lou or the Grain Calling Mansion, located in Pujiang Town, Minhang District, is the earliest area of land reclamation in Shanghai. The culture of Zhaojialou is the origin of Shanghai farming culture. Shanghai Zhaojialou Ancient Town Scenic Spot is a national AAAA-level tourist scenic spot with 500 years of human history. It originated from the early Yuan Dynasty and spanned three dynasties of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a place where the ancient water towns of south east China and the cultural charm of the old buildings are combined.
 

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Location: No.86, Kanghua Road, Pujiang Town, Minhang District, Shanghai, close to downtown Shanghai
  • Highlights: Li Geng Hall, Mei Park, Zhaolou Three Treasures (wine, mutton, braised hock)
  • Best Time to visit: all year around
  • Recommended time to stay: half day
  • Transportation: Take subway line 8 to Hangtian Museum Station and transfer Pujiang No.8 bus to Zhaojialou station; Or take Hunan Line, 175 Road or Minhang 10 bus to reach.
  • Recommended Trip to ShanghaiOne Day Shanghai City Highlights Tour
     



 

2. Nanxiang Ancient Town 南翔古镇


Nanxiang Ancient Town is one of the four famous historical towns in Shanghai. It was built in the four years of Liang Tianjian (AD 505), and it was named after the Baihe Nanxiang temple. It has many places of historical interest, such as the Guyi Garden - one of the four classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, the Tianen Bridge - built in the Qing Shunzhi period, the ancient temple Yunxiang Temple, and brick tower of Five Dynasties. Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, with a history of more than 100 years, is still delicious and has become one of the characteristics and symbols of Nanxiang.
 

  • Entrance fee: 40 Rmb
  • Opening hours: 08:30-17:00
  • Location: Qibao Ancient Town, Minhang Road and Hengli Road, Minhang District, Shanghai
  • Highlights: Guyi Garden, Tianen Bridge, Yunxiang Temple
  • Best Time to visit: all year around
  • Recommended time to stay: 1-3 hours




 

3. Qibao Town 七宝古镇


Qibao Town, built in the Northern Song Dynasty, is 5 kilometers away from the central area of Shanghai. It is an ancient town of Jiangnan that integrates sightseeing, dining and leisure. According to legend, Qibao Ancient Town is named after the seven treasure of the Golden Lotus sutra, the Sacred Tree, the Tunlai Bell, the Flying Buddha, the Golden Chicken, the Jade Chopsticks and the Jade Axe. Qibao Old Town retains the characteristics of Jiangnan Water Town in the metropolis, showing a new and quaint cultural atmosphere, which has already become the must-see spot in Shanghai.
 

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 09:00-18:00
  • Location: Qibao Ancient Town, intersection of Minhang Road and Hengli Road, Minhang District, Shanghai
  • Highlights: Qibao Street, Qibao Pawnshop, Zhou's Micro-Carving Hall, Cricket cottage
  • Best Time to visit: all year around
  • Recommended time to stay: 1-3 hours
  • Transportation: Take subway line 9 to Qibao Station or take bus No. 803, 513, 87, 91, 92B, etc.
  • Recommended Trip to ShanghaiOne Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour from Shanghai




 

4. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town 朱家角镇


Zhujiajiao Town is one of the four famous historical and cultural towns in Shanghai with 1700 years old history. It is located in the Qingpu District of Shanghai and is a typical ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River. Zhujiajiao is crisscrossed by rivers and canals, with 9 long streets running along the rivers and hundreds of buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture flanking both sides. The most famous Fangsheng Bridge is the largest five-hole arch bridge in Shanghai. Zhujiajiao attracts numerous tourists from home and abroad because of its beautiful water, the ancient bridges, wonderful streets and exquisite garden.
 

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Location: No.36 Meizhou Road, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai
  • Highlights: Mt. Dianshan, Zhuxi Garden, Chenghuangmiao temple, North street
  • Best Time to visit: spring and autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: half day
  • Transportation: Take metro line 17 to Zhujiajiao station
  • Recommended Trip to Shanghai:3 Days Best Shanghai and Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour




 

5. Luzhi Ancient Town 甪直古镇


Luzhi Ancient Town is affiliated to Wuzhong District of Suzhou City, located in the eastern part of Suzhou City, 18 kilometers west of Suzhou City and 58 kilometers east of Shanghai. With a history of 2500 years, Luzhi ancient town is not only famous for abundant water, bridges, lanes, historic houses, and celebrities, but also well-known for its Wall-Statue Arhats and the clothing of women of the water town. 41 ancient bridges scattered in the ancient town with different size, form, and various styles, and thus called as "the museum of ancient Chinese bridges". The ancient town consists of 10 main streets, 69 ancient lanes, and a large number of well-preserved houses and buildings built in Ming and Qing Dynasties.
 

  • Entrance fee: 78 RMB
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Location: No. 21 Xiaoshi Road, Luzhi Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou; 58 km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: Baosheng Temple, Shen’s House, Xiao’s House
  • Best Time to visit: spring and autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: 1 day
  • Transportation: Take bus No. 521, 523 and 563 in Suzhou and get off at Luzhi Ancient town station
  • Recommended Trip to Hangzhou:5 Days Shanghai and Suzhou Tour




 

6. Zhouzhuang Water Town 周庄古镇


Zhouzhuang, reputed as the first water town in China, is one of the first batch of famous Chinese historical and cultural towns and one of the first batch of AAAAA national tourist attractions. This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are about 800 houses with courtyards, and 60 of them have arch gateways made by carved bricks. With lakes on four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges. A different vista at every turn can be found here.
 

  • Entrance fee: 100 RMB, valid for three days
  • Opening hours: 7:15am-7:00pm
  • Location: 43 Quanfu Road, Kunshan City, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 60 Km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: Zhang House, Shen House, Zhouzhuang Museum
  • Best Time to visit: all year round
  • Recommended time to stay: 1 day
  • Recommended Trip to Zhouzhuang:7 Days Eastern China Tour




 

7. Xitang Water Town 西塘古镇


Xitang Water Town is a small ancient scenic town on water that still preserves its original look. Xitang is famous for its numerous bridges, alleys and sheltered corridors three features. The 1300 meters sheltered corridors in Xitang is a unique site in the town. 9 rivers converge in this town, dividing it into 8 sections, but many bridges link this water town together (anciently called as “nine dragon old pearl” and “wind from 8 sides”. Xitang has a history about 1300 years and is one of the birthplaces of ancient Wuyue culture.
 

  • Entrance fee: 95 RMB
  • Opening hours: 8:00 am-17:00pm
  • Location: No. 258, Nanyuan Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, 90 km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: Wenzun Hall, Zhongfu Hall, Shipi Lane, Songzi Laifeng Bridge
  • Best Time to visit: Spring and Autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: 1 day
  • Recommended Trip to Shanghai:9 Days Best Scenery Trip Around Shanghai




 

8. Tongli Ancient Town 同里古镇


Tongli Ancient Town in Jiangsu Province is one of the many ancient water towns in the south of the Yangtze River Delta, which are famous for rivers, ancient bridges and house complexes. Tongli was built in the Song dynasty and till now, it has a history of more than 1000 years. The town is separated by 15 rivers into seven islets, which are connected through 49 ancient stone bridges in variety of styles. Here you can drink tea, chat with friends, listen to opera, visit the three bridges, take a boat ride, enjoy the slow pace life of Tongli and so on.
 

  • Entrance fee: 100 RMB
  • Opening hours: 7:30 am-17:30pm
  • Location: No. 229, Xinren Street, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 95 km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: Mingqing street, Gengle Hall, Tongli Wetland Park
  • Best Time to visit: Spring and Autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: 1 day
  • Recommended Trip to Shanghai:5 Days Shanghai and Suzhou Tour



 

9. Nanxun Water Town 南浔古镇


Nanxun Water Town is located in the nanxun district of huzhou city, at the junction of jiangsu and zhejiang provinces. Nanxun has been built for more than 750 years, with a rich history and profound cultural heritage. It is an AAAAA tourist area. Nanxun is known for its silk production. With its unique historical status and cultural landscape, it has been awarded the title of "top ten charming towns in China", " Historic Towns of China". On June 22, 2014, the Grand Canal Project of the Ditang Gudao was successfully selected into the World Cultural Heritage List, making Nanxun became the first world cultural heritage site in Huzhou.
 

  • Entrance fee: 95 RMB
  • Opening hours: 7:30 am-17:00pm
  • Location: No. 51 Renrui Road, Nanxun Town, Nanxun District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 121 km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: Jiaye Hall, Xiaolianzhuang, the former residence of zhang shiming
  • Best Time to visit: Spring and Autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: 2 days
  • Recommended Trip to Shanghai:5 Days Shanghai and Hangzhou Tour




 

10. Wuzhen Water Town 乌镇古镇


Wuzhen, known as "a land of fish and rice, a home of Silk, a corridor of culture", is a typical Jiangnan ancient town with a history of 1300 years and enjoys a history of civilization for more than 7,000 years. Wuzhen Water Town is a national 5A level scenic spot, one of the six China's southern towns. The cross-shaped inland water system divides the whole town into four blocks, which local people call "east gate, south gate, west gate and north gate" respectively. Taking a boat cruise along the waterway would be a way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Wuzhen.
 

  • Entrance fee: 110 RMB for east gate, 150 RMB for west gate
  • Opening hours: 7:00 am-18:00pm
  • Location: No. 18, Shifo South Road, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, 140 km from Shanghai
  • Highlights: the former residence of Maodun, Huiyuan pawnshop, Hongyuantai dyeing house
  • Best Time to visit: Spring and Autumn
  • Recommended time to stay: 2 days
  • Recommended Trip to Wuzhen4 Days Hangzhou and Wuzhen Water Town Tour