Shanghai Private Tours
Day Tour · Private

Zhujiajiao Water Town Private Tour from Shanghai

Canals and stone bridges inside the Shanghai municipality.

Canal and houses in Zhujiajiao, Shanghai · Photo: Lloyd Tudor, CC BY-SA 4.0

Duration
5 to 8 hours
Price
From US$300 (estimate)
Pace
Relaxed, flat walking
Pick-up
Your Shanghai hotel
The journey

Zhujiajiao Water Town

“Zhujiajiao preserves the tranquil soul of Jiangnan waterway civilization: thirty-six arched stone bridges uniting thousand-year-old living lanes.”

National Tourism Administration, National Heritage & Tourism Bureau. Historic Canal Towns of the Yangtze Delta (UNESCO Tentative List 5346)

Wikipedia says Zhujiajiao was established about 1,700 years ago and that archaeological findings date back 5,000 years. The town covers 136.85 km² and is on the outskirts of Shanghai.

We start early, walk the bridges before the main crowds arrive, and keep the day short enough that you can return to the city for the evening.

Ideal for

  • Families
  • Travellers short on time
  • Photographers

Getting around

Private air-conditioned vehicle

Pick-up: Your Shanghai hotel

Destinations

Zhujiajiao Water Town 朱家角

Boats on the canal at Zhujiajiao
Boats on the canal at Zhujiajiao · Lloyd Tudor, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fangsheng Bridge over the Dianpu River, Zhujiajiao
Fangsheng Bridge over the Dianpu River, Zhujiajiao · Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Zhujiajiao canal at night
Zhujiajiao canal at night · Woong Deewaa, CC BY-SA 4.0
Highlights

Moments to look forward to

  • 36 stone bridges
  • Canal boat ride
  • Kezhi Garden
  • Yuanjin Buddhist Temple
Itinerary

Your day, unhurried

  1. Morning

    Drive to Zhujiajiao

    A private car takes you to Qingpu District. We confirm the drive time for your date.

    • PlanA private car takes you from your hotel to Qingpu District. The road distance is not in our sources, so we give you the drive time for your date. Line 17 of the metro also stops at Zhujiajiao, but with a driver you set your own start time.
  2. Late morning

    Bridges and canals

    Fangsheng Bridge and the main canal, then a boat ride.

    • SeeFangsheng Bridge and the main canal in a town in Qingpu District that has 36 stone bridges and is said to be about 1,700 years old.
    • PlanWe walk the old lanes first and take the boat ride when you choose. Boat tickets are extra.
  3. Midday

    Lunch in town

    A table chosen with you.

    • PlanWe choose a table with you beforehand, so that you do not queue or search with a hungry group. Meals are paid by you and are not included in the price.
  4. Afternoon

    Kezhi Garden and Yuanjin Temple

    Two of the sites Wikipedia lists for the town, then the drive back.

    • SeeKezhi Garden and Yuanjin Temple, two of the sites Wikipedia lists for the town.
    • PlanThen the drive back to Shanghai, timed to your next plan: your hotel, dinner or the airport.

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • English-speaking guide
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Parking and road tolls
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Boat ride and entry tickets
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
Make it extraordinary

Private upgrades

  • 珍Combine with the Bund at dusk
  • 珍Add Suzhou’s Tongli on a separate day
Before you book

Guides for this tour

Before you go

Practical tips from official sources

Each tip names the page it comes from. These are published facts, not our own trip reports, and they can change; we re-check them before your date.

  • Zhujiajiao is “just 40 kilometers from central Shanghai”, per the Shanghai government page updated 14 August 2025. Wikipedia says it is within walking distance of Zhujiajiao station on Line 17 and that much of the town’s transport is by boat. Shanghai government, Zhujiajiao ancient town
Choosing between tours

How this differs from similar tours

  • Zhujiajiao + Bund: Adds the Bund at dusk and makes it a full day of about 9 hours, against 5 to 8 hours here.
  • Tongli Water Town: Another canal town, with 55 bridges and a UNESCO-listed garden, but farther: Wikipedia puts it about two hours from Shanghai by bus.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Zhujiajiao Water Town cost?

From US$300 per private group of up to 2 travellers, with driver, guide and vehicle (estimate). Entry tickets and meals are extra. We confirm the final price in writing within 12 hours.

How do I get from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao?

Wikipedia lists Shanghai Metro Line 17 with a Zhujiajiao station. With a private car you skip the metro and choose your own start time. The road distance is not in our sources, so we give you the drive time for your date.

Is Zhujiajiao inside Shanghai?

Yes. Wikipedia places it in Qingpu District, on the outskirts of Shanghai.

Sources for the facts on this page

The places and figures named here were read from these pages on 2026-11-09. The route, timing and inclusions are our own plan.

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