Zhujiajiao Ancient Town-Shanghai's Venice

Shanghai

Water Town

Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains.
Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquility.
Main attractions are:
Bridges in the Town
Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-fish-free Bridge) is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge
Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge), also named Huimin Bridge, is the only wooden bridge and the most featured span in this town.
North Street - Ancient Street
Strolling on this ancient thoroughfare and appreciating the historic buildings, long-established stores, and old bridges as well as the many narrow lanes is another enjoyment.
Ke Zhi Yuan (Course Plant Garden)
Among the ancient architecture, Ke Zhi Yuan is the largest manorial garden.
The scenic spots outlined here are just a sampling of the pretty attractions of Zhujiajiao. Old narrow lanes, peculiar stone hawsers on the riverside and old residences also make you enjoy yourself so much as to forget to go home.

Admission Fee: CNY 80 for cruise boat and nine scenic spots; CNY 60 for eight scenic spots; CNY 30 for four scenic spots
Tour guide service: CNY 120 for an English guide for around three hours

江南水乡，莺飞草长。在早春二月，走进古镇，沿着青石板路向前行就能见到古镇草地上有一株高大巍峨的古银杏树，树干直刺苍天。那巍峨的树干光光的裸露着身子，就像是国画家手中还未完成的一幅古树水墨画。需要好几个人才能合抱过来的古银杏树，历尽历史的沧桑。树皮粗糙，疙疙瘩瘩，斑斑驳驳地透露出几份古老苍凉的意蕴。绕树飞匝的鸦雀，唧唧喳喳地啁啾着，使得古银杏树传递出早春时节生命蓬勃的气息。树下银杏树黄叶凋零的满地都是，这去岁深秋时节飘落下来的，黄叶被好几位妇女大嫂拾起来装入麻袋或者编织袋里好卖给药厂换几个零碎钱来替补家中花费......
　　
　　古镇街道是狭狭窄窄的、深沉沉的、长长的小巷，两边是古代明清砖木结构的小二三层楼老屋，空气里飘满了粽子与豆干、猪肉的酱香味。沿街的店铺大多数是卖各种当地的小吃土特产。粽粽红红的红糖糯米藕，浓酱赤色的大肉粽子，白哧哧的五香豆腐干子，软糯糯的各色糕团，咕嘟咕嘟的冒着赤酱色香甜味浓重蒸汽的捆扎猪蹄肉食等等。店家都声称自家的产品才是古镇地道正中的土特产。

古镇有36座小桥，串起了河岸两边的9条老街小巷。老街小巷两边的明清建筑都是依巷傍水而建的小店铺，门前的青石板路积淀着文化的底蕴，穿透着时间历史的帷幕，百年来叩响着多少游人姑娘女郎高跟鞋的古镇青石板路发出的，'笃笃笃'清脆的声响。一串串大红灯笼高高挂在河边明清建筑飞檐峭壁店铺前的屋檐下，宛如一首首充满江南水乡琴韵味的诗，如一曲曲江南民间丝竹神韵的俚语音乐小品，意象精美，美不胜收。那粉墙黛瓦，红廊灰砖，雕花木窗的茶楼里年轻貌美的歌女，仿佛还在唱着昨日金嗓子周旋演唱的江南民间小曲.

江南古镇朱家角濒临淀山湖，有着上海的水上威尼斯之称，也是上海地区最大的保存最完好的江南水乡历史古镇。晚间的朱家角古镇在五彩灯光的衬映下，显得更加美丽，楚楚动人，分外的秀丽妖娆。