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Eoin and Aisling make a day trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao, a water town often called the Venice of Shanghai. They reach it by metro in about an hour and twenty minutes, then walk narrow lanes, visit shops and see bridges over the canals. Their stops include portrait artists, local snacks, pork knuckle, a rice dumpling and insect street food. They discuss boat prices and conclude that walking is a good way to explore. The town’s free entry contrasts with attractions inside that require tickets.
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Getting to Zhujiajiao from Shanghai
Eoin and Aisling take the metro from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao, a water town often called the Venice of Shanghai. The trip takes about an hour and twenty minutes, and the video notes that the metro makes this town easier to reach than water towns requiring several transfers. On arrival, they walk narrow paths, cross bridges and pass shops selling traditional goods and crafts. The old town is free to enter, while some museums and temples inside charge admission. They also visit an embroidery shop and see portrait artists at work. Schoolchildren compliment Aisling and talk with the visitors, adding a friendly exchange to the walk.
Food, waterways and local encounters
Food stops include sugar donuts, pork chops and pork knuckle, as well as a prince pork-belly rice dumpling. The travelers also see kiss fish and encounter insect street food. These stops range from familiar snacks to foods they find unusual, giving their walk several distinct tastes. The town’s bridges and canals provide the setting as they move between shops and food stalls.
Boat rides are available on the waterways, but one boat costs 200 to 300 yuan for up to six people, more than the couple expected, so they choose to walk. Their route makes room for spontaneous conversations as well as the older streets and daily life around them. Eoin and Aisling suggest allowing four to five hours to explore, with extra time for museums or temples. The trip combines a straightforward metro journey with a flexible visit: the town itself has no entry fee, while visitors can decide whether to pay for individual attractions or a boat. The town’s appeal to the couple lies in how the day unfolds on foot: narrow paths lead past shops and bridges, with canals and older buildings alongside signs of modern daily life. Their visit is not limited to sightseeing; they pause at an embroidery shop, watch portrait artists and talk with schoolchildren who compliment Aisling. Food breaks add further variety, from sugar donuts and pork chops to pork knuckle and the prince pork-belly rice dumpling. They also come across kiss fish and insect street food. These encounters give the excursion a social and culinary side in addition to the waterways.
For planning, the travelers describe the metro as a simple route from Shanghai, taking about an hour and twenty minutes. Zhujiajiao itself has no entry fee, though museums and temples inside charge admission. Their boat quote is 200 to 300 yuan for a boat carrying up to six people; after hearing the price, they decide to keep walking. They suggest allowing four to five hours for the town and more time if adding paid attractions.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What's the easiest way to get to Zhujiajiao from Shanghai?
- A: Take the metro; the trip is about an hour and twenty minutes. The video notes that this is simpler than reaching some water towns that require multiple transfers.
- Q: What's the ancient town like?
- A: It has narrow paths, shops and bridges, with old architecture alongside modern daily life. Walking around is free, though some attractions such as temples and museums charge admission.
- Q: What's the best way to get around the water town?
- A: Visitors can walk or take a boat. Eoin and Aisling find the boat price higher than expected and choose to explore on foot.
- Q: What's the food like?
- A: They try sugar donuts, pork chops and a prince pork belly rice dumpling, among other local foods. The chapters also include pork knuckle and insect street food.
- Q: What was it like interacting with the locals?
- A: The travelers meet schoolchildren who are friendly and compliment Aisling. Their conversation adds a personal moment to the walk through the town.
