Shanghai Venice·Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
⛳️Geographic location: Located in Qingpu District, Shanghai, adjacent to Dianshan Lake Scenic Area.
🚌Transportation: Accessible by self-driving or taking the subway line 17, etc.
💰Ticket information: Free admission for the main ticket (charges apply for some minor attractions, package tickets available).
*️⃣Historical evolution: Known as 'Zhu Creek' in elegance, it was once famous for its cloth industry in the Jiangnan area, and was praised as 'the quilt of the world'. By the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the rice industry developed rapidly, leading to the prosperity of all trades, and there was a saying among the people that 'three Jing (Zhujing, Fengjing, Sijing) are not as good as one Jiao (Zhujiajiao)'.
⭐️Representative attractions:
• Fangsheng Bridge: Spanning the Caogang River, it was originally built during the Ming Wanli period and later rebuilt in the Qing dynasty. It is the longest, largest, and highest five-arched bridge in the Shanghai area, known as 'the first bridge in Shanghai'. The TV series 'Fan Hua' featured the scene where the character Bao Zong and Lingzi walk with an umbrella on this bridge.
• Yuanjin Zen Monastery: A famous ancient temple, housing the image of the Chenzhou Holy Mother.
• Daqing Post Office: Established in 1903, it is the old site of the Daqing Post Office preserved in East China, with a Qing dynasty cast dragon postbox outside the post office.
• Kezhi Garden: The largest manor-style garden architecture in Zhujiajiao, with white walls, green tiles, continuous arches, and corridors forming a beautiful scene. The original owner was Ma Wenqing, hence commonly known as 'Ma's Garden'. 'Kezhi' implies 'not forgetting to cultivate while studying'.
• North Street: The first Ming and Qing street in Shanghai, where you can experience the prosperity of 'three miles of long street, a thousand shops', and also check in at the century-old ginkgo.
⭐️Local delicacies: Grandma's zongzi, braised pork, sweet glutinous sugar lotus root, trotters, and gorgon fruit cake, etc. (Personal opinion: Zhujiajiao Grandma's zongzi is famous far and wide, with many shops selling Grandma's zongzi, including Zhang Grandma, Li Grandma, Wang Grandma, etc. Spent 8 yuan to try a Grandma's meat zongzi, and it tasted similar to the zongzi made at home during the Dragon Boat Festival haha, no offense if you don't like it🚫)
tips: Personally, I think Zhujiajiao has an overly commercial atmosphere during the day, and I suggest visiting after 7 or 8 pm when the shops close.
As night falls, stroll on the bluestone roads, with lights reflecting off each other, feeling the beauty of 'small bridges, flowing water, and households', with winding paths leading to secluded spots, serene and quaint.