Charming water barges and calm canals dotted with dainty little houses are what you will encounter in the quaint enclave of Zhujiajiao, which is home to a famous ancient water town that is a popular tourist draw amongst visitors to the area. Make sure you secure quality accommodation in the main city of Shanghai, especially in the form of a centrally located Shanghai serviced residence featured at the Somerset Xu Hui Shanghai. Situated in the midst of acclaimed dining and fantastic entertainment options, a Somerset service apartment in Shanghai is the best way to begin your adventures in the area. Put the ancient water city of Zhujiajiao on the top of your “cultural excursions” list, as a visit to this unique little “Venice of the East” will prove as memorable as a visit to its more famous Italian counterpart. It saw its genesis approximately 1,700 years ago, and archeological discoveries in the area have revealed cultures dating back even further, to 5,000 years. The most iconic features of the Zhujiajiao ancient town are the various stone bridges that elegantly criss-cross the cityscape, fringed by ancient building dotting the riverfront for a true sense of a truly historical locale. Back in its heyday, the village saw its economy prosper via rice cultivation and cloth production. To this day, visitors will encounter the remains of old rice shops, banks, spice shops, and even a post office dating back to the early Qing Dynasty. Some key landmarks to visit are the Fangsheng Bridge, the largest of the stone bridges, dating back to 1571, and decorated with an elaborate dragon monument and four stone lions; Khe Zhi Yuan Garden, a magnificent landscaped garden that evokes the artful Chinese landscaped architecture that revolutionised horticulture around the world; and the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, which is a resplendent tribute to the religion.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
