[2025 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Water Town Ancient Village (Updated Feb)

Explore the secrets of the water town and experience the charm of Jiangnan! 🌟 📍[Location] Zhujiajiao Ancient Town is located in Qingpu District, Shanghai, about 50 km from downtown Shanghai and about 80 km from downtown Suzhou. As one of the famous Jiangnan water towns in Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is known for its well-preserved ancient buildings, water town scenery, and rich historical and cultural heritage. --- 🚗[Transportation] 1. Self-driving - From downtown Shanghai: Take the G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway or S26 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, and navigate to "Zhujiajiao Ancient Town". The whole journey takes about 1 hour. - From downtown Suzhou: Take the G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway or S58 Shanghai-Changzhou Expressway, and navigate to "Zhujiajiao Ancient Town". The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours. 2. Public transportation - Subway + bus: Take Metro Line 17 to "Zhujiajiao Station", and walk about 10 minutes after exiting the station to reach the entrance of the ancient town. - Long-distance bus: Take a direct bus to Zhujiajiao from Shanghai Hongqiao Long-distance Bus Station, which takes about 1 hour. --- 🏞️[Must-see attractions] 1. Fangsheng Bridge - Address: Central area of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Walk to the bridge. - Highlights: Fangsheng Bridge is a landmark building in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, spanning the Caogang River and serving as an important transportation hub in the ancient town. The bridge is simple and elegant, with exquisite carvings, making it a great place for taking photos. - Ticket: Free. - Tips: The scenery is especially charming in the early morning or evening when the sunlight shines on the bridge and reflects in the water. 2. Kezhi Garden - Address: Near Beidajie Street, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Walk to the garden. - Highlights: Kezhi Garden is a typical Jiangnan garden, with small bridges, flowing water, rockeries, and pavilions, full of poetry and charm. - Ticket: CNY 30/person (including explanation). - Tips: It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and take your time to explore every detail of the garden. 3. Beidajie Street - Address: Core area of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Walk to the street. - Highlights: Beidajie Street is the busiest street in the ancient town, lined with shops selling various local snacks, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is the best place to experience the life of the ancient town. - Ticket: Free. - Tips: You can try local snacks, such as Abo Zongzi and Zha Rou, to experience authentic Jiangnan flavors. 4. Chenghuang Temple - Address: Central area of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Walk to the temple. - Highlights: Chenghuang Temple is an important religious site in the ancient town, with a strong incense atmosphere. The temple enshrines the statue of the City God, making it a good place for praying and making wishes. - Ticket: Free. - Tips: Various folk activities are held in Chenghuang Temple during festivals, creating a lively atmosphere. 5. Mao Pagoda - Address: Southern area of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Walk or ride a bike for about 15 minutes to reach the pagoda. - Highlights: Mao Pagoda is a historic Buddhist pagoda built in the Ming Dynasty, with seven floors and eight sides, simple and solemn in shape. Climbing the pagoda offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient town. - Ticket: CNY 20/person. - Tips: It is recommended to visit in the early morning when the light is soft and the scenery is better. 6. Zhangmatang Village - Address: Eastern area of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. - Transportation: Ride a bike or drive for about 10 minutes to reach the village. - Highlights: Zhangmatang Village is a well-preserved Jiangnan water town village, with crisscrossing rivers and ancient houses, full of pastoral charm. - Ticket: Free. - Tips: You can rent a bike and ride along the river to experience the tranquility and beauty of the water town. --- 🍜[Food recommendations] 1. Abo Zongzi - Features: A specialty of Zhujiajiao, made with high-quality glutinous rice and fresh pork, soft and sweet, with an excellent taste. - Recommended reason: Zongzi is a traditional food in Jiangnan water towns, a must-try! 2. Zha Rou - Features: A specialty meat dish that is fatty but not greasy, melts in your mouth, and tastes even better with rice. - Recommended reason: Zha Rou in Zhujiajiao is one of the locals' favorite foods, definitely worth a try! 3. Qing Tuan - Features: A specialty snack during the Qingming Festival, with a soft and sticky outer layer and rich filling (red bean paste or sesame flavor). - Recommended reason: If you visit Zhujiajiao in spring, you must try the freshly made Qing Tuan! 4. Dried Tofu - Features: A specialty of the ancient town, with a salty and fragrant taste, unique texture, suitable as a snack or appetizer. - Recommended reason: You can easily buy it at snack stalls on Beidajie Street, convenient and delicious! --- 📸[Photo tips] 1. Early morning - The ancient town is less crowded and more beautiful in the early morning, with soft light, suitable for capturing the tranquil water town scenery. 2. Evening - The ancient town has a unique charm at sunset, and the sunset on Fangsheng Bridge is a must-see! 3. Night - When the lights are on at night, the reflections of lanterns and buildings on the water are perfect for taking romantic photos. 4. Outfit suggestions - It is recommended to wear Hanfu or cheongsam, which matches the ancient style buildings in the ancient town! --- 🏨[Accommodation recommendations] 1. Homestays in the ancient town - Recommended reason: Experience local life and enjoy the night and morning of the ancient town. You can choose some homestays with Jiangnan characteristics, with cozy and comfortable rooms.

Shanghai Vicinity | Kunshan's Hidden Gem: Xiemabridge Ancient Village✔️ I've visited many famous ancient water towns in the Jiangnan area, and despite the sameness of the renowned towns, I was amazed by this lesser-known ancient Jiangnan town hidden in Kunshan❗️ Rather than calling it an ancient water town of Jiangnan, I prefer to think of it as an ancient village, a small village. The ancient village retains the most genuine and simple charm, free from excessive commercial development and the noise of crowds. Instead, it offers a more natural and comfortable slow-paced lifestyle. The ancient village is still under construction, with several nice petty-bourgeois cafes☕️, teahouses🍵, and Hanfu experience halls🥻 by the river. The cafes and teahouses, with their white walls and black tiles, and the flowing water households, add a unique sense of coziness. If you are an art enthusiast tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect place for you to let your thoughts fly. ✔️Recommended Shops Baisheng Renjia: A must-visit Suzhou-style private kitchen in Xiemabridge, offering an antique environment and authentic Suzhou flavors. Riverside Coffee: American retro decoration, sitting by the river for an afternoon is really chill☕️ Yichi Garden Xiemabridge: Hidden in the ancient village, Yichi Garden has an artistic environment full of Jiangnan sentiment. Dukou Xiemabridge Store: A tea space🍵 with coffee options too, the simple and stylish decoration is unique. 🏠Xiemabridge Ancient Town 📍East side of the intersection of Airport Road and Luchang Road, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province