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Just over an hour from the skyscrapers of central Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town feels like stepping into a completely different world. Instead of busy roads and towering buildings, you’ll find quiet canals, centuries-old stone bridges, narrow alleyways and traditional houses lining the water.
We spent a full day exploring Zhujiajiao independently using public transport and found it to be one of the highlights of our time in Shanghai. If you’re wondering whether you need to book a guided tour, you don’t. Zhujiajiao is easy to visit on your own using public transport, making it one of the easiest day trips from Shanghai. If you’re looking to escape the pace of the city for a day, it’s a worthwhile addition to your itinerary.
Is Zhujiajiao Worth Visiting?
We definitely think so.
While Shanghai is known for its modern skyline and bustling streets, Zhujiajiao offers a glimpse of a much older side of the region. Walking through the ancient town, crossing its stone bridges and wandering beside the canals felt worlds away from the city we had left behind that morning.
It’s touristy in places, but because the town is larger than many people expect, it’s easy to wander away from the busiest streets and enjoy a slower pace.
How to Get to Zhujiajiao from Shanghai
One of the best things about Zhujiajiao is how easy it is to visit without joining an organised tour.
From central Shanghai, the journey takes just over an hour using the metro:
- Metro Line 2 to Hongqiao Railway Station
- Change to Line 17
- Get off at Zhujiajiao Station
From the station, you can either walk for around 25 to 30 minutes into the ancient town or catch a local bus.
We chose to walk there, which was straightforward and gave us a chance to see a little more of the area before arriving at the canals. On the way back, we caught the local bus back to the metro station, which was quick, inexpensive and very easy.
What to Do in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
Wander the Canals
The best way to experience Zhujiajiao is simply by walking. Small alleyways weave between canals, traditional houses and local shops, with something interesting around almost every corner. Unlike central Shanghai, there isn’t really a checklist of attractions. The town itself is the attraction.
Cross the Historic Stone Bridges
Zhujiajiao is famous for its many stone bridges, each offering a different view across the canals.
Some are wide and gently curved, while others are steep enough to give you fantastic views over the rooftops and waterways below.
Visit Kezhi Garden
While most people come to Zhujiajiao for its canals and historic streets, we also spent some time exploring Kezhi Garden. Filled with traditional pavilions, ponds, rockeries and peaceful pathways, it offered a welcome break from the busier parts of the ancient town.
We found it to be one of the most peaceful places we visited in Zhujiajiao and a worthwhile addition to the day. If you’re planning to spend several hours exploring the town, it’s definitely worth stepping inside.
Browse the Local Shops
One of our favourite parts of the day was simply wandering through the small independent shops. From handmade souvenirs and local crafts to tea, sweets and local snacks, there was plenty to browse and we found lots of unique gifts to take home for family.
Many of the food and tea shops offered free samples, so it was easy to try different teas, sweets and local delicacies before deciding what to buy. The shop owners could be a little enthusiastic in encouraging you to make a purchase, but we never found them to be rude, and it was all part of the experience.
Stop for Something to Eat
Like much of China, food is a big part of visiting Zhujiajiao.
Small restaurants, cafés and street food stalls line many of the canals, making it easy to stop whenever something catches your eye.
We’d recommend taking your time rather than rushing through.
How Long Do You Need?
We’d recommend allowing a full day.
Although you could see the highlights in a few hours, having the whole day meant we could explore at a relaxed pace, stop for food, browse the shops and simply enjoy wandering without worrying about catching the next train.
Best Time to Visit Zhujiajiao
We visited in September, and although it was still hot, the canals and narrow streets made for an enjoyable day out.
If possible, arrive earlier in the morning before the busiest part of the day, particularly if you’re visiting during weekends or Chinese holidays.
Practical Tips
Wear comfortable shoes
You’ll spend most of the day walking across stone streets and bridges.
Bring Alipay or WeChat Pay
Most shops and food stalls accepted mobile payments, just like the rest of China. Read our full guide on Best Apps for Visiting China.
Visit independently
There’s no need to book an organised tour. The metro is inexpensive, reliable and makes visiting Zhujiajiao very straightforward.
Final Thoughts
Zhujiajiao was one of our favourite day trips from Shanghai.
The contrast between Shanghai’s futuristic skyline and Zhujiajiao’s peaceful canals made the experience feel even more special. We loved spending the day wandering without an itinerary, crossing old stone bridges, browsing local shops and enjoying a slower pace before returning to the city in the evening.
If you’re spending more than two or three days in Shanghai, we’d highly recommend setting aside a day to visit.
