Zhujiajiao water town from Shanghai: Gondola ride & local food

Glide under ancient stone bridges and explore centuries-old canal-side shops.

A half-day tour from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao water town, one hour outside the city, where you ride a gondola beneath 36 stone bridges, walk Qing dynasty streets lined with Ming and Qing architecture, and taste local delicacies like sticky rice dumplings and steamed pork wrapped in bamboo leaves. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You choose between public metro access or private car transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zhujiajiao Water Town

• Travel from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao
• Stroll Qing dynasty streets
• Explore Ming and Qing architecture
• Visit local shops and food vendors
• Sample sticky rice dumplings and steamed pork
• Enjoy traditional Chinese candies
• Take a gondola ride along canals

The experience

Zhujiajiao sits just an hour outside Shanghai, established roughly 1,700 years ago as a working water town. The canals still run through it, stone bridges still span them, and the historic buildings that line the riverbanks still house shops and food vendors. A private guide meets you at your hotel and takes you there by either metro or private car: your choice at checkout. The 4.5-hour tour centers on the gondola ride, where you drift beneath the ancient bridges and see the town from the water the way it was designed to be seen.

Between the gondola and the walking portions, you move through the stone streets and explore the architecture firsthand. The shops are real working spaces, not museum pieces, and the guide steers you toward the local food vendors. You'll taste sticky rice dumplings (zong zi), steamed pork wrapped in bamboo leaves (zha rou), and traditional Chinese candies: the kind of snacks that tell you what people actually eat here, not what a menu thinks tourists want. Bottled water is included. Comfortable shoes matter because the streets are stone and uneven in places.

The tour runs in all weather, so bring layers if the season calls for it. Families with infants can bring a pram or stroller. Children must stay with an adult. The whole experience (pickup, transport, guide, the gondola, the food tasting, and the return to your hotel) fits into one morning or afternoon, leaving the rest of your day in Shanghai open.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private guide in English or Chinese.
• air-conditioned vehicle or metro access depending on your chosen option.
• bottled water.
• gondola ride beneath the stone bridges.
• local food tasting including sticky rice dumplings, steamed pork wrapped in bamboo leaves, and traditional Chinese candies.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lasts 5.5 hours, with a private carUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · 09:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 14:00Private modern car; pickup is included

4.5-Hrs w/ MetroUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Chinese · 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00Half-day with a flexible start: the tour begins at the morning start time you choose. Please state your preferred start time when booking. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Jennys China Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the metro option if you're comfortable with public transit and want to keep costs down. Pick the private car if you prefer a dedicated vehicle and an extra hour to explore the town more slowly or visit additional shops along the way.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How far is Zhujiajiao from Shanghai, and how do I get there?

Zhujiajiao is about an hour outside Shanghai. The tour includes hotel pickup and transport. You choose between public metro or private car when you book, and the guide handles the route either way.

What exactly is a gondola ride in Zhujiajiao, and how long does it last?

A gondola is a flat-bottomed boat that drifts along the canals beneath the town's 36 stone bridges. It's the centerpiece of the tour and lets you see the riverbanks, the historic buildings, and the water-town layout from the water itself.

What kind of food will I taste, and is it enough for a meal?

You'll sample local delicacies including sticky rice dumplings (zong zi), steamed pork wrapped in bamboo leaves (zha rou), and traditional Chinese candies. These are snacks and tastes, not a full meal. Plan lunch separately if you need it.

What's the difference between the metro option and the private car option?

Both options include the same 4.5-hour tour, guide, gondola ride, and food tasting. The metro option uses public transportation to reach Zhujiajiao. The private car option adds 1 hour and uses a dedicated vehicle, giving you more flexibility on timing and a more direct route.