Half-day tour from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town: Experience the Oriental Venice - China's traditional water town
Highlights
▲ Zhujiajiao, a water town that blends natural beauty with cultural charm, tells captivating stories of time, culture, and life in its own unique way, inviting every traveler to explore and experience its wonders.
▲ Capacity per boat: 6 adults and 1 child. Stroll along the bluestone bridges, climb ancient stone arch bridges, discover riverside teahouses, and stretch your limbs. Experience the charm of Jiangnan's water towns with a rowing boat in magical Shanghai.
▲ Stroll through the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao and step back in time for a dreamy, nostalgic journey. Untie the ropes and board a traditional wooden boat, gliding leisurely along winding waterways flanked by whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, where calm waters reflect the serene charm. Dress in elegant period costumes to become part of the town's picturesque scenery, wandering through classical gardens where every view is a poetic masterpiece, immersing you in timeless beauty.
▲ The guest is dressed in ancient attire on Fangsheng Bridge.
▲ Guests dressed in ancient costumes stroll along the riverside streets of Zhujiajiao.
▲ Cultural essence: The design embodies the philosophy of "studying and farming," with winding corridors and rockeries subtly reflecting scholarly elegance, perfect for capturing stunning photos of traditional Chinese courtyards.
▲ Guests dressed in ancient costumes at Kezhi Garden.
▲ Guests dressed in ancient costumes on the ancient bridge of Zhujiajiao.
▲ The stele corridor houses several inscribed steles, including plum blossom poems calligraphed by Zhu Zhishan (one of the Four Great Talents of the Ming Dynasty), as well as 12 stone carvings featuring Wen Zhengming's "Poem on Visiting West Mountain" and literary works by Tang Yin and Zhou Tianqiu.
▲ Guests dressed in ancient costumes at Kezhi Garden.
▲ A clever play on words: 1. "May success come immediately"; 2. The founder of Kezhi Garden was surnamed Ma.
▲ Kezhi Garden: A fusion of Chinese and Western garden treasures Garden features: A private residence of the Ma family from the late Qing to early Republic period, blending Jiangnan water town pavilions with Western clock towers, where stone tablet corridors and opera halls showcase the architectural essence of three dynasties.
▲ Cross the historic arched bridge, where every step echoes with the passage of time. Step into the solemn Buddhist temple or the tranquil Taoist shrine, offer sincere prayers, and let your soul experience a moment of purification and peace. Savor a cup of authentic Apo tea paired with delicate pastries in a charmingly antique teahouse, chatting and laughing with friends—a rare and delightful way to unwind. Options: Enjoy Chinese tea, sample tea snacks, or listen to Pingtan storytelling.
▲ Make "chopped chili peppers".
▲ Buddhist temples in Zhujiajiao.
▲ Here, you can rediscover the refined pleasures of literati culture. In the tranquil study, accompanied by brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, you can freely wield the brush and experience the unique charm of calligraphy art. Let your soul be purified and elevated by the flowing ink fragrance at the tip of your brush.
▲ The scenery in Kezhi Garden.
▲ The City God Temple in Zhujiajiao is a Taoist temple of China's indigenous religion.
▲ A feast for the taste buds is not to be missed. The streets and alleys of Zhujiajiao are filled with the enticing aromas of local snacks, from soft and sticky sweet rice porridge to crispy fried stinky tofu. Each bite pays homage to tradition and fulfills all your culinary fantasies.
▲ What's even more interesting is that you can personally participate in making traditional foods. Whether it's crystal-clear dumplings, thin-skinned wontons with generous fillings, or zongzi wrapped with nostalgic hometown flavors, under the guidance of a master, you'll knead dough, prepare fillings, and wrap them by hand, experiencing the joy and sense of accomplishment as food comes to life through your own hands.