Exploring Shanghai's ancient towns and streets

Shanghai is widely seen as an international metropolis, but apart from its modernity, it is also home to many historical gems, including Jiangnan-style watertowns and ancient streets.

Here we will introduce 15 ancient towns and streets, each showcasing a unique facet of Shanghai's beauty.

As spring is approaching, let's step back in time and delve into the secrets of Shanghai, discovering the magic that lies within these enchanting watertowns.

Li Xiaoying / SHINE

Zhujiajiao 朱家角古鎮(zhèn)

Zhujiajiao ancient town is deemed as one of the "50 must-go places in China for foreigners." Strolling along Nanda Street, savoring the famous "Granny's zongzi," and taking photos around every corner are just some of the delightful experiences. A trip to this 1,000-year town will not disappoint.

Recommended food: Granny's zongzi (traditional glutinous rice dumpling with different fillings), mung beans, tangyuan (glutinous rice balls with sweet or salty fillings), traditional pastry

Tourist attractions: Kezhi Garden, Yuanjin Temple, Qing Dynasty Post Office

Admission: Free

Address: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, Qingpu District

青浦區(qū)朱家角古鎮(zhèn)

Jinze 金澤古鎮(zhèn)

Jinze ancient town is known as the first bridge town in Jiangnan, or regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as it has 42 stone bridges with different styles. For the town's residents, bridges are incorporated into their daily life. If you want to know more about the town, just step onto any of the bridges.

Recommended food: Jinze pastry, sweetened beans, smoked edamame

Tourist attractions: Yihao Temple, Xu's Hall, Jinze Craft Club

Admission: Free

Address: 235 Jinxi Rd, Qingpu District

青浦區(qū)金溪路235號(hào)

Liantang 練塘古鎮(zhèn)

Liantang ancient town has kept its original flavor of 1,000 years. With "eight scenes in Liantang" and the Sanlitang River, you can experience the ancient town step by step. You can also take the traditional Jiangnan boats and enjoy the scenes across more than 10 stone bridges.

Recommended food: braised jiaobai (wild rice shoots)

Tourist attractions: Jiaobai Leaf Experience Center, Tea Culture Museum

Admission: Free

Address: Liantang Ancient Town (near Zhujiajiao), Qingpu District

青浦區(qū)練塘古鎮(zhèn) (近朱家角)

Fengjing 楓涇古鎮(zhèn)

The ancient town is the place for sketch painters as there are 52 unique stone bridges. Fengjing's No. 3 Bridge at the intersection of Zhongda Street and Shengchan Road is a big hit with tourists.

As the town is located at the border of Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, the culture, customs and language from the two places intermingle here, creating the "boundary river culture."

Recommended food: steamed clams, pork wrapped by tofu sheet, lotus with pork

Tourist attractions: No. 3 Bridge, former site of People's Commune, Fengxi Long Porch

Admission: Free when entering the ancient town, some tourist sites charge fees

Address: No. 28, Lane 8588, Tingfeng Highway, Jinshan District

金山區(qū)亭楓公路8588弄28號(hào)

Mingyue Shantang 明月山塘

Near the border of Shanghai and Zhejiang, there is an ancient town called Mingyue Shantang. The Shantang Old Street divides the town into two parts. North Shantang belongs to Shanghai and south Shantang to Zhejiang.

The town features the style and tradition from the early Republic of China period (1912-1949). You can feel the atmosphere by visiting those old tea houses and grocery stores.

Recommended food: Haitang cake

Tourist attractions: Shantang Old Street, Shantang Bridge

Admission: Free

Address: Western side of the intersection of Langhua and Qingnian roads, Jinshan District

金山區(qū)廊華路與青年路交叉路往西

Qingxi Old Street 青溪老街

On May 1, 2021, the Qingxi Old Street reopened after a renovation of the former Qingxi Town. While maintaining the traditional charm, the town has new attractions like creative stores and B&Bs.

Although it is a watertown, it focuses on stylistic buildings such as the Qingxi Time Post Office and Qingxi Traditional Cloth Workshop.

Recommended food: Qiaolou dim sum, pancake, Chongyang cake

Tourist attractions: Wanghai Tower, Nanyuan Garden, Jifang Bridge

Admission: Free

Address: Intersection of Nanfeng and Renmin roads, Fengxian District

奉賢區(qū)南奉公路人民路交叉口

Zhuanghang 莊行古鎮(zhèn)

With more than 600 years of history, Zhuanghang ancient town is a quiet place. It is said that a businessman surnamed Zhuang came here and then this place became a town. Zhuanghang Old Street is the busiest place in the town. This is also one of the most beautiful places in China to enjoy rape flowers.

Recommended food: qingtuan (green glutinous rice ball), zongzi (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves with fillings)

Tourist attractions: Zhuanghang Old Street, Zhuanghang Park, Agriculture Park

Admission: Free

Address: Intersection of Zhuangli and Hongshizi roads, Fengxian District

奉賢區(qū)莊利路與紅十字路交叉口

Luodian 羅店古鎮(zhèn)

The town was once called "Gold Luodian" because of its prosperity. You can find the old handicrafts when going to Shihe Street and Tingqian Street. When you walk over the three traditional stone bridges, you can feel the unique atmosphere from a town with more than 600 years of history. You can also visit the nearby Baoshan Temple.

Recommended food: Luodian rice cake, fish balls

Tourist attractions: Baoshan Temple, Huashentang

Admission: Free

Address: 199 Shiyi Rd, Baoshan District

寶山區(qū)市一路199號(hào)

Nanxiang 南翔古鎮(zhèn)

The town is famous not only for its xiaolongbao (little steamed buns) but also for its Jiangnan gardens.

Guyi Garden is the most famous in the town. It has four different scenic areas, which present cultural relics and historical sites from different dynasties. There's also Tanyuan Garden, which consists of several small Jiangnan-style courtyards.

Recommended food: Nanxiang xiaolongbao, mutton noodles, Luohan cuisine

Tourist attractions: Nanxiang Twin Tower, Guyi Garden, Tanyuan Garden, Yunxiang Temple

Admission: Free when entering the ancient town, some tourist sites charge fees

Address: 206 Jiefang St, Jiading District

嘉定區(qū)解放街206號(hào)

Zhouqiao Old Street 州橋老街

The street is the root of Jiading. It is an important place of local culture and history. Although it is small, the old street has ancient buildings from the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Fahua Tower, also called Jinsha Tower, is a signature structure built in the Song Dynasty. Sixteen different bridges also help shape the unique Jiading charm.

Recommended food: fried dough twists with yogurt, beef brisket rice noodles, Haitang cake

Tourist attractions: Confucius Temple, Huilongtan, Yingkui Hill, Qiuxia Garden

Admission: Free

Address: 68 Shaxia Rd, Jiading District

嘉定區(qū)沙霞路68號(hào)

Anting Old Street 安亭老街

On Anting Old Street, the Yong'an Tower is the signature building. When you step on the top of the tower, you will find that the old street is a combination of towers, temples, bridges and rivers. You can also spend time at the tea houses on the road near the embankment.

Recommended food: tangyuan, shengjian (pan-fried pork buns)

Tourist attractions: Yong'an Tower, Puti Temple

Admission: Free

Address: Anting Street (near Xinyuan Rd), Jiading District

嘉定區(qū)安亭街 (近新源路)

Qibao 七寶古鎮(zhèn)

Qibao ancient town is closer to the city center than the other towns. Rivers, stone bridges and ancient buildings are everywhere here.

Nanda Street is famous for local snacks, and the Beida Street sells antique scripts and paintings. You can visit the Qibao Drum Tower or Qibao Shadow Play Museum. Also don't forget to eat Qibao tangyuan, lamb and chicken.

Recommended food: Qibao square cake, Old Street tangyuan, Haitang cake

Tourist attractions: Qibao Drum Tower, Qibao Colored Glaze Workshop

Admission: Free

Address: 208 Qingnian Rd, Minhang District

閔行區(qū)青年路208號(hào)

Xinchang 新場(chǎng)古鎮(zhèn)

Ang Lee's movie "Lust, Caution" has made the ancient town of Xinchang in the Pudong New Area famous. The town is known as "little Suzhou" because it provides the traditional Jiangnan watertown elements similar to Suzhou in neighboring Jiangsu Province.

The town was once a trading hub, and you can still find the glory today. Bridges, rivers, tea houses, temples … all the traditional elements are here. Tea houses don't just serve tea, you can even experience modern elements like coffee and dim sum.

Recommended food: lamb noodles, Haitang cake, Xiasha shaomai with bamboo and pork fillings

Tourist attractions: Xinchang's Ten Scenes, No. 1 Tower, Nanshan Temple

Admission: Free

Address: 128 Haiquan St, Pudong New Area

浦東新區(qū)海泉街128號(hào)

Chuansha 川沙古鎮(zhèn)

It isn't easy to find quiet places in Shanghai, but Chuansha ancient town is one. This is where Pudong's history and culture originated. The town has multiple cultural sites like Neishidi, the Soong Ching Ling Culture Exhibition Center and the Chuansha Theater Art Exhibition Center.

Chuansha Park has been there for more than 38 years. Step on the Heming Tower, you can have an overview of the whole town as well as Shanghai Disney Resort.

Recommended food: Laowei tea, Old Street vegetable rice

Tourist attractions: Chuansha Park, Ancient Wall Park

Admission: Free

Address: Xinchuan Rd, Pudong New Area

浦東新區(qū)新川路

Sanlintang Old Street 三林塘老街

This street, only 500 meters long, provides you with more interesting Pudong culture. Every April, the Shanghai Folk Culture Festival takes place there. With special activities like dragon boat race, this street becomes one of the liveliest places in Shanghai.

Recommended food: salt meat with bamboo, braised bream, egg roll

Tourist attractions: Sanlintang Archway, Sanlintang Celebrity Walkway

Admission: Free

Address: 137 Zhonglin St, Pudong New Area

浦東新區(qū)中林街137號(hào)