Zhujiajiao Ancient Town has shattered my perception of spending

❤️Watertown Nostalgia: A Guide to Exploring Zhujiajiao Ancient Town ✅In the western suburbs of Shanghai, Qingpu District hides a watertown pearl—Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. 🏰This thousand-year-old town, established during the Song and Yuan dynasties, is known for its "natural scenery of small bridges over flowing water and authentic Ming-Qing streets," making it one of Shanghai's best-preserved Jiangnan watertowns. 🚗**Transportation Tips** Self-driving visitors can take the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway to the Zhujiajiao exit, where multiple parking lots are available. 🚉Metro Line 17 goes directly to Zhujiajiao Station, with a 15-minute walk to reach the town. 💞Recommend arriving before 9 AM to avoid peak crowds. **✅Must-See Attractions** 📍1. Fangsheng Bridge: A five-arch stone bridge spanning the Caogang River. Climb up for a panoramic view of the ancient town, especially magical in the morning mist. 📍2. North Street: A 1,200-meter Ming-Qing commercial street with stone pavements lined with teahouses and restaurants. Recommended: experience century-old "Han Dalong Sauce Garden" and its traditionally made condiments. 📍3. Kezhi Garden: A private garden of Republican-era merchant Ma Wenqing, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles. The "Moon-Viewing Tower" inside offers the perfect spot for capturing sunset views of the town. **💥Special Experiences** -💰 Take a rowing boat tour along the town's waterways (60 yuan/boat, seats 6 people), accompanied by boatwomen singing traditional Wu dialect tunes -❤️ Experience morning tea culture at "Jiangnan's Premier Teahouse," paired with local specialties like pressed meat and zongzi -✅Visit the Quan Hua Watercolor Art Gallery to appreciate watercolor masterpieces by artists like Chen Xidan **🍝Food Recommendations** 🍝For lunch, try "Maolin Restaurant" for oil-fried eel paste, or freshly made stinky tofu at "Yirentai Food Shop." ✅Recommended souvenirs include egg yolk meat zongzi from "Zhujiajiao Zongzi King" and herbal tea drinks from "Tong Tianhe Pharmacy." **💥Practical Tips** -💰 A 40-yuan combo ticket includes 8 attractions; individual attraction tickets range from 10-20 yuan -💕 Every Friday evening features "Night Tour of Zhujiajiao" light show (extended until 9 PM in summer) -💕 Riverside guesthouses cost about 200-400 yuan per night; recommended: "Jingting Guesthouse" for a Ming-Qing dynasty residence experience ☘The most touching aspect of this living ancient town is that the original residents' way of life continues along both sides of the market river. ‼️Avoid weekends and choose a slightly rainy weekday to see elderly women washing clothes by the riverbank and hear Suzhou ballads drifting from teahouses—only then can you truly feel the texture of time in this Jiangnan watertown.