Shanghai Water Town Tour: Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao, Bund

Pavilions, canals, a 1912 manor, and Shanghai's illuminated skyline in one day

A full-day guided tour of Shanghai's landmarks and gardens, starting with Yu Garden's classical pavilions and ponds, moving through Zhujiajiao's ancient water town canals and cobblestone streets, visiting the Kezhi Garden manor built in 1912, and ending at the Bund for night views of the city skyline. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets to Yu Garden and Kezhi Garden, round-trip bus transport, and a Shanghai-style light meal in Zhujiajiao. City God Temple replaces Yu Garden on Mondays when the garden is closed; optional Huangpu River cruises are available at the Bund but not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shanghai's landmarks and water town

• Visit Yu Garden or City God Temple
• Explore Shanghai Old Street Bazaar
• Drive 1 hour to Zhujiajiao
• Enjoy Shanghai-style light meal
• Explore Zhujiajiao water town
• Visit Kezhi Garden in Zhujiajiao
• Arrive at the Bund for night view
• Optional Huangpu River cruise

The Experience

The day starts at Yu Garden, where you walk through tranquil pavilions, ponds, and rock formations that exemplify classical Chinese imperial garden design—or, on Mondays when Yu Garden closes, you visit City God Temple instead. From there you move to Shanghai Old Street Bazaar, where the lively local atmosphere and traditional shops set the tone for the rest of the morning. A tea shop visit is optional, depending on your interest.

After an hour's drive, you arrive in Zhujiajiao, one of Shanghai's most charming ancient water towns. You'll have a Shanghai-style light meal before exploring the winding canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved traditional homes. The real highlight is Kezhi Garden, a grand Chinese-Western private manor built between 1912 and 1927 by businessman Ma Wenqing. It blends classic Jiangnan garden landscapes with European-style details and is divided into scholarly and farming zones—the kind of place that justifies the drive out from the city.

The tour ends at the Bund, where you take in the illuminated skyline of Shanghai's most iconic landmark. If you want to extend the experience, you can book a Huangpu River cruise separately to see the skyline from the water; it's optional and arranged at the end of the day. The whole tour runs seven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• English-speaking tour guide.
• entrance tickets to Yu Garden (Tuesday–Sunday) or City God Temple (Mondays).
• entrance to Kezhi Garden.
• round-trip bus transport.
• Shanghai-style light meal in Zhujiajiao.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by 慕巴士Mubus

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting on a weekday and want both Shanghai's classical gardens and a water town in one day—the structured itinerary with included meal handles the pacing so you move through landmarks without gaps between stops.

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Top questions

What is Yu Garden and what will I see there?

Yu Garden is a classical Chinese imperial garden in Shanghai featuring tranquil pavilions, ponds, and rock formations that represent traditional garden design. You'll walk through these spaces as part of the morning portion of the tour, though on Mondays when Yu Garden is closed, the tour visits City God Temple instead.

What is Zhujiajiao and why is it worth the drive?

Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town about an hour outside Shanghai, known for its winding canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved traditional homes. It's included because it offers a completely different side of the region—timeless and quiet—and because Kezhi Garden, the 1912 manor that is the highlight of the water town visit, sits there.

What is Kezhi Garden?

Kezhi Garden is a grand private manor built between 1912 and 1927 by businessman Ma Wenqing in Zhujiajiao. It combines classic Jiangnan garden landscapes with European architectural details and is divided into scholarly and farming zones, making it visually distinct from the other gardens on the tour.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs seven hours and includes an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets to Yu Garden (Tuesday through Sunday) or City God Temple (Mondays), entrance to Kezhi Garden, round-trip bus transport from Shanghai, and a Shanghai-style light meal in Zhujiajiao. Optional Huangpu River cruises at the Bund are not included and can be arranged separately at the end of the day.

What happens on Mondays, and does the tour still work?

On Mondays, Yu Garden is closed, so the tour visits City God Temple instead as its morning garden stop. The rest of the itinerary—Zhujiajiao, Kezhi Garden, and the Bund—remains the same, so the tour still covers the major landmarks and gardens.

Is the Huangpu River cruise included?

No, the river cruise is optional and not included in the tour price. It's available at the Bund at the end of the day if you want to extend your experience and see the illuminated skyline from the water.