Zhujiajiao Water Village Tour: Explore a 400-Year-Old Water Village and Silk Mill
3.8
49 Ratings
Shanghai
Embark on a captivating tour of Zhujiajiao Water Village, a 400-year-old gem known for its charming canals and historic architecture. Discover the secrets of silk making at a local mill and indulge in shopping for unique handmade items.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - The picturesque Zhu Jia Jiao is a classic water village, over 400 years old with a signature five-arch bridge spanning the Cao Gang River. Zhu Jia Jiao was an important town for local trade, shipping goods in and out of its manmade canals to the river.

We will stroll the maze of paths and bridges, and take a boat ride to view the residences of this nicely-preserved water village. Zhu Jia Jiao is also home to two impressive temples, which add to the charm and historic significance of the village.

What's Included
  • Boat tour in the water village
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Admission tickets
  • Hotel pickup and drop off in the city center
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Come and experience the captivating Zhujiajiao, a timeless water town that boasts of a history spanning over four centuries, characterized by its iconic five-arch bridge that crosses the Cao Gang River. In earlier times, Zhujiajiao played a pivotal role in regional commerce, utilizing its human-made canals for shipping various products to the river. Following your exploration of Zhu Jia Jiao, take a moment to visit a silk mill where you can gain insight into how silk production developed into a key industry in China, and get the opportunity to haggle for garments, accessories, quilts, and handmade carpets.

Location
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
No.36 Meizhou Road, Qingpu District, Zhujiajiao Town
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.8
(49 Ratings)
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730nielsn
Feb 24, 2024
More than an ordinary guided tour! - A super trip with a very knowledgeable guide. ALL questions answered - and we ask a lot. History and traditions were told with vivid enthusiasm. On that level, it was probably the best of the otherwise many trips we have been on. The guide, Kalvin, also took us around the city and here too got detailed information and stories - both from his childhood in the area, but also saw where the Communist Party had its founding meeting and heard a little about what it means to be and requirements to stay member of the party. A trip with Kalvin is highly recommended Anni & Niels
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road51914912269
Dec 30, 2019
colors&smells - A place full of excitement and beauty. Very spectacular and very special place. A city with special colors and memorable. MUST DO: take a pic with traditional dress
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blinz
Dec 4, 2018
Zhujiajiao Half Day Trip - We are glad we booked for this half day trip, about an hour drive from Shanghai Downtown. Zhujiajiao is a beautiful watertown, lined with quaint traditional houses. The view is simply breathtaking, just like those in tv dramas. Snow our guide is the most patient and makes sure our needs are well taken of, even treated us Traditional Chinese cakes 😊. Thumbs up to her splendid service !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaz
Feb 6, 2019
Laid back experience - Be sure you get a good tour guide. Drive is at least an hour from Shanghai, longer if there's traffic. You can also take the train there on your own, just a little bit of a walk from station. Buy pearls here instead of Shanghai. Boat ride seems like a cheesy touristy thing to do but you get a very different view from the water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alison
Apr 28, 2018
We had our guide Michael and our... - <p>We had our guide Michael and our person of contact Jane who were both absolutely wonderful. The guide was super informative and gave a thorough history of the town and the religions of China through the tour. The tour group itself wasnt large, so it was very intimate and you were able to really see some of the older Chinese culture that you cant appreciate in the city. After the tour you are brought to a show room for Chinese silk and shown how silk is made. The staff in the showroom are very friendly and eager for you to buy their products however, they do not make you feel significantly uncomfortable about it. The only parts about this tour thatare tough is the traffic during the ride there and back, which, in one of the most populated cities in the world you cant avoid. <br/> Additionally, if you purchase anything from the silk showroom have the staff go over your receipt with you. I had thought that I was overcharged for something but instead I didnt realize the breakdown so have them explain it to you in detail. Additionally, it is a government facility so expect an automatic tax charge on your product of about an extra 30.00 American. When we thought we had an issue, our tour contact Jane was on top of our concerns and willing to help us verify everything was ok. Between our tour contact and our tour guide, we couldnt have had a better experience. Keep an open mind, maintain patience with traffic, and verify your receipts and you will love it too.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Tara
Dec 3, 2017
For a half day tour I did enjoy... - <p>For a half day tour I did enjoy visiting Zhujiajiao Water village but the drive was made longer by bad traffic, what should have taken an hour, took an hour and a half each direction. It turned out to be a private tour for me as I suppose no one else was signed up on the day I took it, so I had the guide to myself and we were driven there by a driver in a nice car. The Water Village and gardens were good but maybe not as extensive as I thought, it's more an old section surrounded by the more modern buildings. The guide Alina was good but I also feel that she could have told me more history/info especially as it was just the two of us. When we got back into the centre of Shanghai I was taken to a Silk 'factory' though it was actually just a big shop that showed you how silk is made. This is definitely a stop to get you to buy something and felt awkward for me. Generally though, I would recommend this bearing in mind that it is just a half day tour and it was a convenient way for me to get there.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Ria_v
Oct 3, 2017
Verry ood tour.<br/> I liked it a... - <p>Verry ood tour.<br/> I liked it a lot.<br/> Not to far driving and not to commercial.<br/> Better than the daytour to the water villages.<br/> Price as OK for this tour.<br/> The daytour is overpriced.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Alexandros
Aug 20, 2017
Tour Was Ok our tour guider was good... - <p>Tour Was Ok our tour guider was good with us and helped also with a problem with our bag luggage <br/> Silk factory was nice but we didn't like the fact that they Insist to buy expensive items from them</p>
Review provided by Viator
Jane_s
Sep 13, 2018
Zhujiajiao 1/2 day - I did this tour because I was traveling alone and unsure about transit. I realize now that it would have been more enjoyable to take the train and wander by myself. Guide was knowledgeable but left me behind - walked too fast most of the time so I felt rushed and the silk “factory” was unexpected and a total set up. I ended up in the company of an aggressive sales person with no one to translate or help me understand what transaction cost was. The Watertown was fine, silk thing a scam. Do not recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Cesara550
Nov 9, 2019
Terrible - Let's start because in China no tips are given and on the reservation they are already recommending to give them, but the terrible thing is when you are already on the excursion and just want to do what they want, my family could not even have lunch on the whole excursion because the guide did not want to stop, after running the entire excursion and with a bad wave guide, they want to take you to a silk factory, I suppose there is the whole business for you to buy there at the end of the trip, the truth could not enjoy anything, arrived very hungry at the hotel and with a bad memory.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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