Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Jiading Ancient Town

This ancient town, with over 780 years of history, still preserves pagodas, temples, monasteries and old trees. Most visitors come for Zhouqiao Old Street. Lying on the same central axis as the Fahua Pagoda, about 500 meters from it, are the Confucian Temple, Huilong Pool and Yingkui Hill, another distinctive scenic area beside Zhouqiao Old Street. The Confucian Temple in particular is considered the number one in Wuzhong.

Old City God Temple

A crash course in old Shanghai folk culture. The Old City God Temple has long been like a grand temple fair that never ends. Whatever you might look for at other temple fairs, you'll find here, with its snacks and distinctive handicrafts the most famous of all. The Old City God Temple was built during the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty. Historically, the temple was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The current temple was built in 1926 and rebuilt on a large scale in the 1990s, becoming a large, antique-style architectural complex and commercial district. The renovated old temple may have lost some of the atmosphere of the old city district, yet visitors still flock here, a testament to its enduring charm. The saying “Gold from the Old Temple brings you good luck” is known far and wide.

Free · 1–3 hours

Shanghai Museum

Its collection and architecture are truly first-class. Focusing on ancient Chinese art, its collection, exhibitions and research aim to present the complete development history of each artistic category. Its system, richness and quality are highly renowned at home and abroad. Moved here in 1995, the museum has a distinctive design that follows the traditional Chinese concept of 'round heaven, square earth'. Its overall form resembles a dignified ancient bronze vessel. The Shanghai Museum holds half of China's ancient art treasures, and its galleries have no showy gimmicks, yet they will leave visitors astonished by China's history.

Free admission, though some special exhibitions require tickets, with prices varying · 3+ hours

Zhaojialou Ancient Town

Zhaojialou carries the deep heritage of Haipai culture and represents the roots of Shanghai. Built in the early Yuan Dynasty, it once had a tower where Ming officials rang a bell to remind villagers not to miss the farming season, a sign of the emphasis on agriculture and ceremonial cultivation. That is how the place came to be called “Zhaojialou.” Here you'll find grey-brick, black-tiled buildings with Ming and Qing charm, as well as Jiangnan water-town scenes of small bridges and flowing streams. The “Three Treasures of Zhaolou” are Zhaolou lamb, Zhaolou braised trotters and Zhaolou Daqu, a traditional liquor that has since been lost.

Free

Chongming Island

Beautiful Chongming Island sits in the Yangtze River Delta and is the largest sand island in the world. Its shady trees, clear waters and clean skies make it an excellent choice for a day trip from Shanghai. Beyond its pleasant natural scenery, the island has many historic and cultural sites, including the fragrant Yingzhou Park, the antique Dan Garden in Chengqiao Town, and the Confucian Temple. Interestingly, Chongming is also known as “Crab Island,” because crab burrows are everywhere on its beaches, leaving the sand riddled with holes.

Dianshan Lake

Dianshan Lake connects with Tai Lake to the west and the Huangpu River to the east. Its clear waters are as bright as a mirror, creating a classic Jiangnan water-town scene. The eastern half of the scenic area features “Spring Dawn at Willow Dike,” where green willows and red blossoms line the embankment and vast blue waters stretch beyond. The western half, “Ancient Charm of the Stone City,” contains a replica ancient pagoda and the Shanghai Grand View Garden, modelled on the one in Dream of the Red Chamber. Beyond its scenery, the area also preserves many cultural relics and historic sites.

Free