Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bashi
( 96840)
Dazhong
( 96822)
Qiangsheng
( 6258 0000)
AROUND SHANGHAI
Zhujiajiao
Thirty kilometres west of Shanghai,
Zhujiajiao
(optional ticket incl entry to 4/9
sights ¥30/90)
is easy to reach and charming - as long as your visit does not
coincide with the arrival of phalanxes of tour buses.
What survives of this historic canal town today is a charming tableau of
Ming- and Qing-dynasty alleys, bridges and
guzhen (
old town) architecture, its
alleyways steeped in the aroma of
chou doufu
(stinky tofu).
On the west side of the recently built City God Temple bridge stands the
City God Temple
( Chenghuang Miao; admission ¥10; 7.30am-4pm)
,
moved here in 1769 from its original location in Xuejiabang. Further north
along Caohe St , running alongside the canal, is the
Yuanjin Buddhist
Temple
( Yuanjin Chanyuan; admission ¥5; 8am-4pm)
near the distinctive
Tai'an Bridge
( Tai'an Qiao). Also hunt down the
Qing dynasty Post Office
(admission ¥5)
.
Of Zhujiajiao's quaint ancient bridges, the standout
Fangsheng Bridge
(
Fangsheng Qiao) is the most photogenic. First built in 1571, the five-arched
bridge was originally assembled with proceeds from a monk's 15 years of alms
gathering. You can jump on boats for comprehensive tours of town at various
points, including Fangsheng Bridge. Tickets are ¥60/120 per boat for the short/
long tour; speed boats (¥40) also run from the bridge for 30-minute trips.
