Zhujiajiao Water Town

Zhujiajiao developed as a market town on the canals west of Shanghai and prospered in the Ming and Qing on rice and cloth trading. What survives is a compact old quarter of thirty-six stone bridges, canals lined with whitewashed houses and Qing-era shopfronts, and narrow lanes behind them. The Fangsheng Bridge, built in 1571, is the largest stone arch bridge in the Shanghai area, five arches spanning the main canal, and traditionally a place for releasing fish. Boats punt visitors along the canals. Being reachable by metro makes it the easiest water town to visit from Shanghai, and correspondingly the busiest at weekends.

What you actually see

• Fangsheng Bridge - the five-arch stone bridge of 1571 over the main canal.
• The canal lanes - whitewashed houses and shopfronts along the water.
• The boat rides - punted trips through the town's waterways.
• The Kezhi Garden - a private garden and residence in the old town.

When to go

March to May and September to November for comfortable weather; weekends and holidays fill the lanes to capacity. Early morning on a weekday is a different experience entirely. The metro connection makes an easy half day.

Honest expectations

The town is small and heavily commercialised, with most buildings converted to shops selling similar goods. Weekend crowds are severe. Individual attractions charge separately or through a combined ticket that many visitors do not need.

Nearby

Central Shanghai lies east; other water towns such as Tongli and Xitang are further out.