One-day tour from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao and back

These destinations around Shanghai weave the thousand-year cultural tapestry of Jiangnan—every step resonates with history.

Zhujiajiao has been a critical hub for grain transport since the Song and Yuan dynasties. The Fangsheng Bridge, first built in the Ming dynasty, arches not only over the river but also over the legacy of bustling merchant ships that once sailed during the Ming and Qing eras. Shaoxing’s cultural legacy runs millennia-deep—beside the winding stream of the Orchid Pavilion, Wang Xizhi composed the famed Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion, while the flagstone paths of Lu Xun’s hometown still bear traces of footsteps from "Sanwei Study" to "Baicao Garden."The red boat on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing carries a century-old revolutionary spirit, and the East Scenic Area of Wuzhen preserves scenes reminiscent of Mao Dun’s novel The Lin Family Shop. Huzhou’s Nanxun was once a gathering place for silk merchants in the Ming and Qing dynasties, where the scent of ancient books mingled with the mist of Tai Lake. The old villa clusters of Moganshan still echo with the lingering warmth of intellectual gatherings from the Republican era.

Private Independent Tour: One-day Tour from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao

l Summary：

Zhujiajiao is the best-preserved Jiangnan water town in Shanghai, situated in the western part of the city where Shanghai borders Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Originally established as a village during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD), it has been traversed by flowing water for a millennium, with thirty-six ancient bridges arching over its canals.

Beidajie Street bustles with activity, lined with historic buildings and shops. Following this lively thoroughfare leads to Kezhi Garden, showcasing classic Jiangnan-style landscapes. The Fangsheng Bridge—Shanghai’s longest five-arched stone bridge—offers sweeping views of the ancient town.

Visit the Qing Dynasty Post Office to explore historical postal services, or seek blessings at Chenghuang Temple. Wandering through Zhujiajiao immerses you in the daily rhythms of water-town life, revealing the authentic charm of a Jiangnan ancient settlement.

• HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Wander Beidajie Street to admire historic architecture, climb Fangsheng Bridge for sweeping views of the ancient town, and savor the refined elegance of Kezhi Garden's Jiangnan-style landscapes.

At noon, dine in a Qing-dynasty residence—rich with historical charm. Spend afternoons exploring historical postal artifacts at the Qing Dynasty Post Office. Glide along canals in a rowing boat for waterside perspectives, and come evening, relish local snacks like zharou (stewed pork wrapped in leaves) by the riverside. These quintessential experiences capture the soul of water-town life.

 Itinerary  

In the morning, we depart from our hotel with a dedicated vehicle to pick us up and take us to Zhujiajiao. Upon arrival, begin with Beidajie Street—lined with Ming-Qing architecture, ancient stone bridges, and time-honored shops holding stories of bygone eras. Follow the lane to Kezhi Garden.