The main source of transporation in Zhujiaiao is by boat, but you can Take a rickshaw ride after you exit the taxi to get to what is considered Shanghai’s Venice, Zhujiajiao. It is an ancient water town with a history of more than 1700 years.
Gondola Driver
This area is what I had thought China to be like, unlike the huge skyscrapers that I am growing accustomed to seeing in the Pudong area.
rickshaw rides to the ancient town
Bridges in this small town were built during Ming and Qing Dynasties. 36 different bridges are uniquely designed spanning the little town. On the particular day that I was there, so were thousands of other people who were shoulder to shoulder on the bridges, and in the narrow alley ways.
Regardless of the number of people visiting Zhujiajiao this particular day, it was well worth the trip. Small gondolas were crusing up and down the canal, powered by a single man standing on the back of the boat steering with a big wooden stick, or paddle. A gondola ride was a great way to see the little town.
Many shops lined the alleyways where you could always get in some good bargaining. Restaurants lined the canals where you could pick your own seafood out of the bucket in front of the restaurant if you so desired!! (Some of the fish were swimming upside down). Or, local vendors lined the streets with food on a stick, or food in a big pot, or food unidentifiable. My friend Matt and I tried some random food from a couple of the vendors. My choice was pretty good, not really sure what it was.
street food was pretty good
It seemed like pork wrapped in bamboo leaves and his was some unidentifiable rice looking thing in a bamboo leaf. Well, maybe it was neither of these, but that is what it looked like. We tried some bamboo too. I can see why pandas like it so much. It was quite juicy.
The population of this little town is about 60,000. The village once prospered through clothing and rice businesses. Today it thrives on tourism. While taking a stroll through the ancient water town of
Gondolas cruising up and down the canal in Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao you can discover centuries old buildings of which are still home to many people today. It is about an hour taxi ride from the Pudong area or you can catch a bus, (if you can find them) and learn about the ancient town of Zhujiajiao .
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