Qibao Ancient Town

Located around 18 kilometers from downtown Shanghai, Qibao ancient town is a spiritual sanctuary, free from traffic jam, pollution, noise which now plague most of the modern cities we live. Built in the Five Dynasties Period around one thousand years ago, the town witnessed great development in the Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Qibao in Chinese means seven treasures and the town was so named for a legend go that there were seven treasures around the area, which were a Gold Lotus Scripture written by an imperial concubine of the 10th century, a Magic Tree, dating back to one thousand years ago, a Big Bell Floated from Afar, a Buddha Flown over from Afar, a Gold Cock, Jade Chopstick and a Jade Axe.

But according to history, only four of them-the Gold Lotus Scripture, the Big Bell, Magic Tree, Golden Cock) actually once existed while two of the four(the Scripture and the Bell) have survived till today.
The old town occupies about two square kilometers, crossed by two water lanes. Around the water lanes, stand a large number of well preserved traditional houses, gardens, temples, shops and restaurants which define the place.  
The old street in the heart of the tiny town is the epitome of old Shanghai. The street has been restored to its original look which is consisted of two sections, southern and western lesser streets. The southern part filled with traditional restaurants serving various tasty snacks is a paradise for gourmets. Old shops selling art crafts, antiques and calligraphy works occupy the western part. In this part visitors will find the Qibao Pharmaceutical stores, a-thousand-year-old shop, some fine tea houses, and Shadow Play Opera theaters.
The old, time-worn stone roads and narrow lanes left by the Song Dynasty while the temples, gardens, pavilions, houses has been well preserved from Ming and Qing Dynasty, which features black- bricked walls, elegantly decorated tiles.
Some places worth a special mention here include Cricket Hall, a place to dream times gone by, Tianxiang Restaurant which serves authentic local cuisine, Qibao Theater where you can enjoy many of the distinctive Shanghai Operas and much more. 
The small town is a good place to explore Shanghai's grand past. When traveling there, watch out for the authentic flavors.

七宝古镇位于上海市西南闵行区，属江南太湖流域，自后汉起形成，始于北宋，盛于明清，古往今来一直都是商贾云集、人文荟萃的沪西一方奇葩宝地，至今已有一千多年历史，是一座既有江南水乡自然风光，又有悠久人文内涵的历史古镇。七宝，是因为在民间流传着飞来佛、氽来钟、金字莲花经、神树、金鸡、玉斧、玉筷等'七件宝'而得名，后因七宝教寺而缘寺正名，并与晋代著名的文学家陆机、陆云二兄弟有着不解的渊源。

古镇的面积不大，一条南北贯通仅容三人并行的明清老街，两旁簇拥着朱红排门的老商铺。老街分为南北两条大街，东西横向地依次分布在一条河的两则，南大街以特色小吃为主，北大街以旅游工艺品、古玩、字画为主，逛起来还真有点穿越回古代的感觉。就是这样一个暗藏在闹市区里的小镇，虽然没有乌镇、周庄炒作得那样有名，却保持着江南所特有的传统，比起那些热的发烫的江南水乡，韵味非但一点也没减少，反而多了几许小家碧玉般的姿色，确实别有一番滋味在心头。古镇的氛围，给在闹市中生活的人们带来了些许的安静，其实，这里也有喧嚣，但这种喧嚣是舒适安逸的，是适合焦虑的心安全着陆的，是适合卸下疲惫停泊靠岸的，尤其是可以享受一下那种独处时的宁静与坦然。

无水不成风，无桥妄为景。蒲汇塘溪水横贯老街，从康乐桥、蒲汇塘桥和安平桥的腹下唯美地滑过。其中，最为知名的是蒲汇塘桥，传说桥柱下垫有七宝之一的玉斧，因此，蒲汇塘桥又称'七宝塘桥'，是古镇骄傲的象征。当你优闲地走在这条宋祖、明皇、清宫的老街上，用两束怀旧的目光依依不舍地抚摸着那些青砖、古井、楼栏、基木、廊翘.......漫无目的地踱步在古镇的古街、古巷、古桥........心无杂念地地观赏着大大小小的店铺、酱油铺、典当行、纺织坊以及老式的八仙桌、长条凳、长嘴铜壶、方头竹筷......随心所欲地浏览着七宝戏园、蟋蟀馆、老行当、微雕馆、书翰馆、西 洋雕塑.......肆无忌惮地享受着淳厚朴实的古文化以及多姿多彩的风俗民情。