Zhujiajiao Water Town tour: Private guide & boat ride

Stone bridges, canal lanes, and a boat ride through 1,700 years of riverside life

A private half-day tour from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town, one of the best-preserved ancient water towns near Shanghai, with a private guide, boat ride along the canals, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. You choose a morning or afternoon departure to fit your schedule. Lunch in the old town is part of the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Travel to Zhujiajiao Water Town
• Walk old streets and stone bridges
• Visit local shops and try snacks
• Take relaxing boat ride on canals
• Visit classical Chinese garden
• Enjoy local lunch or early dinner
• Return to hotel with guide

The experience

Zhujiajiao sits about an hour from Shanghai and has kept its old stone bridges, narrow lanes, and riverside houses intact for over 1,700 years. Your private guide meets you at your hotel lobby and travels with you by air-conditioned vehicle to the water town. Once there, you walk the charming old streets at your own pace, stopping at local shops and snack stalls, then board a boat for a relaxing ride through the canals while your guide explains the history and everyday culture of the place. You may also visit a classical Chinese garden to see traditional architecture and landscaping up close.

The boat ride is the centerpiece: you drift through the waterways and see how the town actually lives along the water, with houses built right to the canal edge and daily life unfolding on the banks. After the tour, you sit down for a tasty local lunch or early dinner in the water town before your guide escorts you back to your hotel. The whole day runs about five hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Shanghai.
• private air-conditioned vehicle and experienced driver.
• private guide in English or Chinese.
• entrance fee to Zhujiajiao.
• boat ride ticket through the canals.
• local lunch or early dinner in the water town.
• optional visit to a classical Chinese garden.

Options for this experience

2 options

Morning DepartureGuide in English or Chinese · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:30Departure is at 9:30 am, and pickup is included.

Afternoon DepartureGuide in English or Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 12:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included, and the tour departs at 2:30 pm.

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 day11 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): 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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Amazing Shanghai Trip

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to explore the old town and canals before the afternoon crowds arrive. The afternoon slot suits travelers who prefer a later start or want to spend the morning elsewhere in Shanghai.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I choose what time of day works best for me?

Yes. You pick either a morning or afternoon departure when you book, so the tour fits your schedule in Shanghai.

What is a classical Chinese garden, and why visit one in Zhujiajiao?

A classical Chinese garden is designed to show traditional architecture, landscaping, and the way water, plants, and buildings work together. Zhujiajiao's gardens let you see how local elegance and garden art developed over centuries in this region.

Is the boat ride included, or do I pay extra?

The boat ride ticket is included in the tour price, along with the entrance fee to Zhujiajiao and all transport from your hotel.

What if I use a wheelchair or travel with a stroller?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller. Wear comfortable walking shoes for the old streets, and let the operator know any dietary needs when you book.