Zhujiajiao is an over 1,700-year-old canal town on the outskirts of Shanghai, often called the "Venice of the East" for its ancient arched stone bridges, narrow canals, and Ming-Qing era waterfront houses. It's a photo location with a completely different mood from downtown Shanghai — perfect if you want beautiful classical-China-style photos to bring home.
What Is Zhujiajiao and Why Visit
Zhujiajiao is one of Shanghai's four ancient water towns, and widely considered the best-preserved of them. The town sits on both banks of a canal, crossed by several centuries-old stone arch bridges. Old wooden buildings still operate as tea houses, souvenir shops, and local restaurants, giving photos here a distinct character that's completely different from Shanghai's skyscrapers or shopping districts.
How to Get There from Downtown Shanghai
Zhujiajiao is about 48 kilometers from the People's Square area. There are three main ways to get there:
Metro (most convenient): Take Line 2 or Line 10 to Hongqiao Railway Station, then transfer to Line 17 and get off at Zhujiajiao Station. From there it's about a 20-minute walk to the town.
Bus: The Huzhu Express Bus Line runs from Puan Road/Yan'an East Road (near People's Square), taking about 70 minutes — cheaper than the metro.
Taxi: About 1.5 hours, roughly 20-25 USD. Most convenient for groups or if you're carrying a lot, but you'll need Chinese or a translation app to communicate with the driver.
5 Must-Shoot Spots in Zhujiajiao
Fangsheng Bridge
The oldest and largest stone arch bridge in the town, and the most photographed spot here. Go early morning to avoid crowds.
Along the Main Canal
Walking along the canal you'll pass beautiful reflections of old houses in the water the whole way — great for walking shots or couple photos.
The Old Market Alleys
Narrow stone streets lined with traditional shops give a real old-town feel — perfect for Chinese-style street photography.
Riverside Tea Houses
Old wooden tea houses still in operation — sit for tea and shoot the view from inside looking out at the canal for great atmosphere.
Traditional Chinese Costume Rental Spots
There are shops in town that rent hanfu or qipao. If you want a full classical-China theme, renting an outfit and shooting against the bridges and canal makes for premium-looking photos.
Is a MY FOTO Photographer Worth It vs. Going Alone?
Because Zhujiajiao is far from downtown and requires multiple transfers, many Thai tourists who go alone run into trouble finding their way, communicating with taxi drivers, or arriving without knowing which angles to shoot. MY FOTO's team solves all of this — from arranging the meeting time, to handling the round trip, to a photographer who already knows the town's best spots. You get beautiful photos without wasting time trial-and-erroring it yourself.
MY FOTO's package is billed hourly, starting from 1,890 THB per hour. You receive every photo taken after the session per the booking terms, with no buying extra photos one at a time.
Related Links
View Shanghai City Walk photographers / View pricing
Read next: Shanghai Trip Prep Guide 2026 / Yuyuan Garden & Chenghuangmiao / Tian An 1000 Trees
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Zhujiajiao from downtown Shanghai?
About 48 kilometers from the People's Square area. By metro, it takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.
Is there an entrance fee for Zhujiajiao?
Walking through the town itself is free, but some attractions inside, such as Kezhi Garden, may charge a separate entrance fee. Check current pricing before you go.
What's the best time to visit for good photos?
Early morning before 9am is best, to avoid crowds and get softer natural light.