In and Around Zhujiajiao

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With a population of 60,000 Zhujiajiao is a water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, and was established about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings dating back 5,000 years have also been found. 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao, and many ancient buildings still line the riverbanks today.
The village prospered through clothing and rice businesses. Today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and even a Qing dynasty post office can still be found.
Zhujiajiao has many sights of historic interest, such as Fangsheng Bridge, and Kezhi Garden and the Chenghuangmiao/Town God Temple and I will be doing separate blogs on some of these areas of Zhujiajiao.

The most iconic of the 36 bridges in Zhujiajiao is the 70-meter long Fangsheng bridge. Resting on 5 symmetric arches, the height of the bridge peaks at 5.8 meters. It was originally built by the monk Xingchao of Cimen Temple in 1571, and then rebuilt in 1812. The central arch is decorated with a stone relief of eight dragons surrounding a pearl, and the pillars at the ends are sculpted into lions. 



The narrow streets are filled with all different types of shops from food stalls, crafts and some selling the usual tourist tat. This is old China and everything is up close.



If you visit Zhujiajiao you have to take a boat trip, it is the only way to experience water town.  The boats fit up to six people and cost 150RMB (£15) per boat for a 20-minute one way trip across town.






Yuanjin Buddist Temple




The post box outside the Qing Dynasty Post Office




Tomorrow I will post a blog on my visit to Kezhi Gardens, a 19th Century merchants house in the heart of Zhujiajiao and on Sunday a blog on the Chenghuangmiao/Town God Temple

 CLICK HERE for more information on Zhujiajiao. 
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