Private Zhujiajiao in One Day from Shanghai

Meet your guide and driver in your hotel lobby by 9am for the 1-hour drive to Zhujiajiao water town.

As you drive, your guide will introduce you to the history of Zhujiajiao, which dates back to at least the Song dynasty, and explain how the village grew wealthy on trade, as goods flooded through its web of canals to the river, and from there to the coast.

Soak up the atmosphere as you stroll over some of the village's 36 bridges, capture snapshots of charming alleyways and ancient stone houses, and visit landmarks from the Kezhi Garden to temples and memorial halls. Relax in a boat as you cruise the old canals that have led some to call Zhujiajiao the Venice of Shanghai.

Lunch is at your own expense: your guide will be happy to recommend a pretty riverside restaurant and help you navigate the menu, as well as introducing you to local specialties like sticky rice dumplings.

You'll leave Zhujiajiao by 4pm, returning to your hotel around 5pm.