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Sitting on the western bank of Dianshan Lake, Qingpu District, 
Zhijiajiao was once famous for its "three li (1.5 kilometer) street, and its thousand stores". Since the Song Dynasty, Zhijiajiao, has been known far and wide as the "Red Town", and in 1991 Zhujiajiao was declared one of China's notable cultural towns. Today, the ancient town is open for tourism, and a new town has been built right on its side. Walk straight ahead from the new town parking lot, turn right, and you should arrive at the ancient town's main entrance, which is decorated with many recently built faux ancient buildings. Continuing into the town, you will come upon the two small rivulets and large river that lend to Zhujiajiao's fame as Shanghai's best preserved ancient water town. Zhujiajiao is frequently referred to as the Venice of Shanghai, the Hollywood of the Shanghai suburbs, or simply, Jiaoli. The beauty of Zhujiajiao is best summarized in a proverb: "Boats scurry about over water, sending the visitors into a landscape picture."
Zhujiajiao has over a score of arched stone bridges, flat stone bridges and brick and wood bridges built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, hence boasting a pleasant scene of "quaint bridges over winding streams to connect waterside households". Historical bridges in the town include the Bridge of Benevolence, the Bridge of 3 Arches and 9 Peaks, the High Arched Bridge of Peace and Safety, the Highand Low Bridge, the Miniature Bridge in the Garden of Cultivation, and the Bridge of Eternal Prosperity.
Fangsheng Bridge 放生桥
Walk in from the town entrance, pass the hospital and you will 
arrive at Fangsheng Bridge. Fangsheng Bridge is the largest, longest and highest arched stone bridge in Shanghai. It was originally built in 1573-1620, during Ming Dynasty. When the bridge was built, its builder, Xing Chao, a Buddhist monk, stipulated that the Fangsheng Bridge could be used only for freeing fish and turtles. He forbade anybody from catching fish there. The name Fangsheng Bridge or "the releasing animals bridge" stems from the bridge's famous rule. Fangsheng Bridge is a tall five-hole stone arch bridge. It creates a great view with its 5 graceful arches called "a rainbow across a belt of a river". On the bridge there is a "dragon gate monolith" carved with 8 dragons chasing a pearl. 4 stone lions are perched at the top of the bridge and a large slab with floral designs is inlaid in the middle of the paving. People can take a rest in the stele pavilion in the east of the bridge and boatmen tether their boats on the docking rings on the bridge. Anyway, the Fangsheng Bridge is a must see spot in your visit to Zhujiajiao.
Bridge of Lucky Star福星桥
Built in 1774, the Bridge of Lucky Star in western town has been well preserved till today. The massive bridge has mottled paving and small trees growing between the slabs. The elegance of the bridge is described in a poem inscribed on the pillars: "A stream helps to preserve the luck in the town, and the bridge is like the crescent moon over the mountains."
Kezhi Garden’s name comes from the allegorical saying, "study hard, but do not forget to till the fields". The name alludes to the admonishment of "cultivating both the farmlands and one's nature". Kezhi Garden in northern town is the largest garden in Zhujiajiao and boasts a wonderful view in its elegant landscape. Kezhi Garden has the town's largest manor style garden architecture, and is frequently called "the Ma Family Garden". The garden's structure and arrangement is pleasantly asymmetrical, satisfyingly dense, and of innovative design. The rockeries in the garden are made of exotic looking lake stones and arranged into a winding maze. To the north of the rockeries is an impressive landmark, also the highest building in the town: a 5 storey square mansion topped with a square Moon Gazing Pavilion. To the west of the Lotus Pond is the Botanical Garden, with all kinds of fruit bearing trees and rare species like crape myrtle and podocarpus macrophyllus.
A town cemetery has been ingeniously converted into this beautiful garden, where three former embankments become the scenic spots of spring, autumn and winter respectively. The spring section is especially worth a view: a stone banked stream runs around thesite through a series of arched, flat and quadrangular bridges, and sometimes a bridge is visible from under another bridge. The Garden of Pearl Creek is a new attraction in Zhujiajiao.
The North Avenue, or the Thread Street, is highly reputed for its traditional architecture in the Ming and Qing dynasties dating back as far as 400 years from now. A little over 1 kilometer in length, the road begins in the east at Fengsheng Bridge and runs west three hundred meters into Meizhou Nong alley. North Avenue's most representative and quintessentially Ming Qing characteristic is its narrowness. Look up at the sky from North Avenue, and you will see only a narrow strip of blue. This is how the it came to be known as "One thread Street". The street is only 34 meters wide, and can narrow to 2 meters in some parts, where the eaves of opposing houses almost touch each other. The houses by the slab paved street feature the traditional architecture in southeast China: whitewashed walls, black tiles, high gables with tilting eaves, long windows with fine latticework, and wooden gates in crimson paint. On the street there are the venerable restaurant Mao Sun Guan, the 100 year old pickle & sauce shop Han Da Long, the charming Old Town Tea house, and an assortment of old businesses in local specialties, arts and crafts, paintings, calligraphy, pottery, chinaware, curios, flowers and birds.
Zhujiajiao has a number of interesting alleys including Lane of the Chen Family and Yiren Nong. Each has its own special appeal. Many lanes in Zhujiajiao are already over a hundred years old.
Lane of the Chen Family 陈家弄
Located at Xijing Street, the Lane of the Chen Family is Zhujiajiao's most ancient alley and a a good place for an adventure into the history. It is a covered lane with a length of 40 meters, and the only illumination comes from the candlelight in the two alcoves on the walls. Building facades stretch up to the top of the alleyway, and its first forty meters are dim, secluded, and quiet. Concave holes are carved into the alley wall. In ancient times they were used to place oil cups and candles for light, making the alley seem both quiet and remote.
Lane of the God of Wealth 财神弄
The Lane of the God of Wealth near Donghu Street is so narrow that only one person canpass comfortably at a time. It simply looks like an endless brick paved tunnel with a seam of the sky overhead. Two persons have to walk sideways in the lane. Three? No way.
This is the former residence and memorial of Wang Chang (17251806), a famous scholar and minister in the Qing Dynasty. In the estate there are a number of well preserved houses like the Hall of Lectures in Confucian Classics and the Hall of Spring Thawing. Next to the Fishing Village is the ancestral temple of the Wang family, which displays a statue and pictures of Wang Chang as well as Wang's personal items.
Built in the early 16"" century, the magnificent residence in eastern town is one of the few well preserved sites to feature an architectural style in the Ming Dynasty. Originally the residence of Xi Yongpei, a high ranking minister in the imperial court, the estate is large enough to have 5 levels of enveloping courtyards. The main gate is guarded by a pair of horned mythical beasts on round stone bases and waterborne access is guaranteed through a line of stone banks, docks and water gates along the rivers. The ceremonial screen wall in front of the spacious grand hall is exquisitely decorated with all kinds of mythical beasts and floral designs. The residence offers avantage point to take in the panoramic view of Zhujiajiao.
The temple was originally built in the mid14th century and repaired in 1658. It houses a statue of a local goddess for folk worship, hence another name "the Goddess Temple". The temple is best known for the elegant Pavilion of Fragrant Flowers, among a collection of historical buildings.
The Villa of Happiness and Peace in southern town, built in the 1920s, used to be the residence of Liu Yazi (1887-1958), a famous poet, and the venue of the Southern Society, a literary salon organized by Mr. Liu. The building is designed in an ingenious fashion and located in a quiet, flower strewn environment. The main facade faces a stream and looks like a church, with a name plaque instead of a cross.
Zhujiajiao still has plenty of other interesting things to see. Unlike the one road villages that characterize other river and stream towns, Zhujiajiao has plenty of small tortuous alleys, leading you unaware from one tiny scenic spot to another. The people of Zhujiajiao are friendly, and will happily welcome you in to visit their family courtyards. You can admire the rich scenery of your surroundings from the top of Tai An Qiao and Lang Qiao bridges. Walking from one bridge to another, you will notice fishing boats at the river bank selling fish and shrimp.
By Metro: You can take metro Line 17, get off at Zhujiajiao station and walk north for 15-20 minutes to get there.
By taxi: It will take about RMB200 yuanes.
By Bus: There are a lot of buses in Shanghai traveling to and from Zhujiajiao. You can take Tourist Line NO. 4 from the Shanghai Stadium (Gate 5). Take Huzhu Express Line at Pu'an Road East Yan'an Road near Dashijie Station of Metro Line 8 and the bus line departs every half an hour; or Huzhu Special Line at Gaohong Road Shenkun Road near Hong qiao Airport to Zhujijiao Bus Station, which departs every ten minutes.
Open Hours: 8:30 16:30 Up to 6 People on Each Boat
A tour on the local handrowed boat of Zhujiajiao, called the "Hunchback Boat", can be quite a unique experience.
In the popular Lotus Dance, the player swings a tasseled bronzeclad slick rhythmically to made jingling sounds while doing dance moves.The dance is often seen in community shows and processions.
In the popular Boat Dance, the players work in pairs or threesomes to mimic rowing a boat, accompanied by the music of a traditional band. The dance can be quite entertaining because the players often interact with spectators in a humorous way.
In the popular Clam Dance, the player wears a special costumeto mimic a big clam and teases an angry fisherman. The dance is often seen in temple bazaars and lantern fairs.
The specialty foods of Zhujiajiao include Braised Pork. Snails of the Bridge of Benevolence, Water Caltrop with Beans, Salted Shrimp, Wine pickled Vegetable. Dried Bean Curd, Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaves. Sugared Lotus Root. Spareribs in Special Flavor.Fresh Amaranth. No.1 Scholar's Cake, and Smoked Green Bean.