On the picturesque banks of the Dianpu River, where waterways converge into an intricate network of canals, the remarkable town of Zhujiajiao has existed for seventeen centuries. Often called the "Shanghai Venice," this comparison isn`t entirely accurate—this place has its own completely unique history. Today, Zhujiajiao has essentially become a suburb of Shanghai, but we`ve highlighted it as a separate destination due to its many fascinating attractions.
History of Zhujiajiao
The first settlers appeared here during the Three Kingdoms period in the 3rd century AD. Back then, it was just a simple fishing village where residents built houses on stilts to protect themselves from frequent river floods. But fate had something entirely different in store for this place.
Zhujiajiao`s golden age began in the 16th century when the town found itself at the crossroads of major trade routes between Shanghai, Suzhou, and Lake Taihu. Water, which had initially been merely a source of sustenance for local fishermen, became the town`s greatest asset. Day and night, loaded boats moved along the canals—some carrying salt from the eastern coast, others delivering silk from Suzhou, and still others transporting porcelain and tea to Shanghai.
The salt trade played a special role in the town`s prosperity. During the Ming Dynasty, Zhujiajiao became a key hub for the empire`s "white gold." Local merchants, who weren`t above smuggling, built clever hiding places in their homes near Fangsheng Bridge—some of these secret compartments have survived to this day.
Every morning, an incredible spectacle unfolded on the water—the "floating markets." Fishermen bartered their fresh catch for rice and fabrics right from their boats, artisans offered goods made from local bamboo, and merchants haggled over the best batches of goods. This lively waterborne marketplace became the town`s signature for centuries.
Paradoxically, it was the narrowness of the local canals—which during the town`s heyday limited the size of trading vessels—that saved Zhujiajiao from destruction in the 20th century. Industrial ships simply couldn`t enter, allowing the town to avoid large-scale redevelopment and preserve its unique appearance virtually intact.
Why Has Zhujiajiao Survived?
• Remoteness: Mass urban development didn`t reach here until the 1990s.
• Special Protection: Since 2006, it has held the status of a "National Historical Monument of China."
• Hydraulic Engineering: The canals and bridges were built to withstand floods—so they were never rebuilt.
Architecture of Zhujiajiao
The water town was constructed on the principle of "one street—one canal":
• 36 stone bridges connect 9 narrow streets,
• Stilt houses (for flood protection) with wooden galleries,
• A network of underground drainage tunnels (some still functional today).
• Secret to Authenticity: 60% of the buildings are original structures from 1600–1900, while the rest have been restored using Qing Dynasty blueprints.
Main Attractions of Zhujiajiao
Xijing Water Street: The first street visitors encounter—a 3.5-meter-wide canal lined with 17th–19th-century houses.
Fangsheng Bridge: The largest five-arched bridge in Shanghai (built in 1571), stretching 72 meters long. In the past, fish were released here for "karmic cleansing."
Stilt Houses near Fangsheng Bridge: A unique quarter with 12 fishermen`s homes (1780–1850), still bearing hooks for drying nets and stone basins for cleaning fish.
Central Canal: Two streets in one—Beida (commercial) and Caohe (quiet, with workshops). Here, you’ll find the Qing Dynasty Post Office (1896) with its museum and numerous waterfront restaurants.
Temples of Zhujiajiao
• Buddhist Yuanjin Temple: Perched at the confluence of the Central Canal (Beida/Caohe) and the Dianpu River, Yuanjin Monastery is one of Zhujiajiao’s most significant spiritual landmarks. Founded in 1341 during the Yuan Dynasty, this Buddhist complex has watched over the water town for nearly 700 years, serving as both a place of worship and a strategic point for river trade.
• Taoist Chenghuang Temple: Located along the Central Canal (Beida/Caohe) near the historic Taian Bridge, the Chenghuang Temple has been Zhujiajiao’s spiritual protector for over 400 years. Dedicated to Chenghuang Ye—the Taoist "City God" who judges the souls of the dead and protects the living—this temple is one of the most atmospheric religious sites in Shanghai’s water towns.
Tip: Visit Zhujiajiao on weekdays before 10 AM—crowds are minimal, and the canals are shrouded in morning mist.
Zhujiajiao Today: Not a Museum, But a Living Town. Here, traditions endure:
• Laundry is still washed in the canals (as in Ming times),
• Meals are cooked on wood-fired stoves,
• Bridges are raised to allow taller boats to pass.
