How many ancient towns are there in Shanghai? Explore the historical imprint of Jiangnan Water Town
As an international metropolis, Shanghai is not only famous for its skyscrapers and bustling business districts, but it also hides many well-preserved ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River. These ancient towns carry rich history and culture and are excellent places for tourists and locals to experience the traditional water town customs. This article will take stock of the number, characteristics and recent hot topics of ancient towns in Shanghai.
1. Statistics on the number of ancient towns in Shanghai

According to official data and cultural tourism information, there are a total of relatively large-scale ancient towns in Shanghai7, mainly distributed in Qingpu, Pudong, Minhang and other areas. The following is a specific list:
| Ancient town name | Area | historical features |
|---|---|---|
| Zhujiajiao Ancient Town | Qingpu District | Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, water transport terminals |
| Qibao Ancient Town | Minhang District | Originated in Song Dynasty, famous snacks |
| Fengjing Ancient Town | Jinshan District | Home of Wuyue Culture and Peasant Paintings |
| Xinchang Ancient Town | Pudong New Area | Salt industry history, film and television shooting locations |
| Nanxiang Ancient Town | Jiading District | The birthplace of Xiao Long Bao, Guyi Garden |
| Liantang Ancient Town | Qingpu District | Chen Yun’s former residence, red culture |
| Luodian Ancient Town | Baoshan District | Old streets and dragon boat culture of the Yuan Dynasty |
2. Recent hot topics: New trends in cultural tourism in ancient towns
In the past 10 days, topics related to Shanghai’s ancient towns have become increasingly popular on social media and travel platforms, mainly focusing on the following aspects:
| Topic keywords | heat index | Main content |
|---|---|---|
| “Zhujiajiao Night Tour” | ★★★★★ | Summer night light show attracts more than 100,000 visitors |
| "Qibao Intangible Cultural Heritage Market" | ★★★★☆ | Traditional handicraft exhibition's single-day revenue exceeds one million |
| "Xinchang Ancient Town Film and Television Craze" | ★★★☆☆ | The number of check-ins at the filming location of "Flowers" increased by 300% |
| "Nanxiang Xiaolong Festival" | ★★★★☆ | Limited seasonal flavors trigger queues |
3. Practical guide for visiting ancient towns
1.Transportation advice: Most of Shanghai’s ancient towns are located in the suburbs, and the subway + bus combination is the most convenient. For example: Zhujiajiao can be reached directly by Line 17, and Qibao Ancient Town is close to Qibao Station of Line 9.
2.Ticket information: Most ancient towns are open for free, but some attractions require tickets (such as Zhujiajiao Ke Zhiyuan Garden, 30 yuan/person).
3.best season: The climate is pleasant in spring and autumn. You can experience night tours in summer and have a strong New Year flavor in winter.
4. Why can Shanghai retain so many ancient towns?
The preservation of Shanghai’s ancient towns benefits from:
-geographical advantage: Located in the Jiangnan water network area, commerce and trade developed historically;
-policy protection: The "Regulations on the Protection of Historical and Cultural Areas" has been implemented since 2005;
-Cultural tourism development: Organically combine traditional architecture with modern commerce, such as the cultural and creative shops in Qibao Old Street.
Conclusion
The seven ancient towns in Shanghai are like pearls scattered in the modern city. They share the same water town genes but also have their own characteristics. Recent cultural and tourism innovations have given these ancient towns a new lease of life, making them popular choices for weekend micro-vacations for citizens. Next time you come to Shanghai, you might as well slow down and experience these "living" historical districts.
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