Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai worth booking?
Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai is a 8-hour experience in Shanghai, China, from $117 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $117 per person
On this completely customizable, full-day private tour of Zhujiajiao, get an authentic experience of this small, ancient water town as you immerse yourself in the traditional local lifestyle. Discover the town’s 1,700-ye
What you get
- Private transportation
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert guidance through Zhujiajiao
- Private tour
- Private transportation to Zhujiajiao
About this experience
On this completely customizable, full-day private tour of Zhujiajiao, get an authentic experience of this small, ancient water town as you immerse yourself in the traditional local lifestyle. Discover the town’s 1,700-year history manifested in its people, its food, its narrow alleys and ancient bridges, its antiquated buildings and the creaking boats floating along the picturesque canals. Your knowledgeable private guide will assist you in planning your day to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Expert guidance through Zhujiajiao
- Private tour
- Private transportation to Zhujiajiao
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Activities in Zhujiajiao
What you'll see and do
Fangsheng Bridge
Nestled just an hour away from Shanghai is a cozy, ancient water town characterized by winding canals, stone bridges, secluded cobblestone alleyways and several buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. On this private tour, take advantage of your local guide’s expert knowledge on Zhujiajiao’s hidden gems and popular spots to plan a day based on your own interests. No matter what you choose to see and do, your friendly guide will be at your side to help facilitate and enhance your discovery of this ancient water town by providing enlightening commentary and introducing you to the local people. Please note that any fees for activities, food and site visits are at your own expense. After arriving in Zhujiajiao by private transfer from your Shanghai hotel, take a leisurely stroll over ancient stone bridges and see locals enjoying boat rides on the narrow waterways. Don’t miss Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-Fish-Free Bridge), where you can experience a curious tradition of purchasing live fish from street vendors and then releasing them into the water for good luck. Walk along the town’s cobbled pathways and pass quaint houses with courtyards to witness the simplicity of daily life. Visit North Street, which boasts Zhujiajiao’s small-scale commercial lanes set to a backdrop of historical buildings and bridges. Board a boat for a tranquil cruise along winding waterways. Glide under stone bridges and see what life is like beside a river. For lunch, you may enjoy a meal you pre-packaged for yourself or eat at one the town’s most popular restaurants, Maolin Hall, renowned for its eel noodle and mutton noodle specialties. Visit Ke Zhi Yuan (Course Plant Garden), a large manorial garden home to one of the town’s tallest structures – a diametric pavilion called the Moon View Pavilion. If you feel like shopping, browse the various shops around town and peruse knick-knacks and nostalgic memorabilia that you may purchase as a keepsake of your unique experience.
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
Nestled just an hour away from Shanghai is a cozy, ancient water town characterized by winding canals, stone bridges, secluded cobblestone alleyways and several buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. On this private tour, take advantage of your local guide’s expert knowledge on Zhujiajiao’s hidden gems and popular spots to plan a day based on your own interests. No matter what you choose to see and do, your friendly guide will be at your side to help facilitate and enhance your discovery of this ancient water town by providing enlightening commentary and introducing you to the local people. Please note that any fees for activities, food and site visits are at your own expense. After arriving in Zhujiajiao by private transfer from your Shanghai hotel, take a leisurely stroll over ancient stone bridges and see locals enjoying boat rides on the narrow waterways. Don’t miss Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-Fish-Free Bridge), where you can experience a curious tradition of purchasing live fish from street vendors and then releasing them into the water for good luck. Walk along the town’s cobbled pathways and pass quaint houses with courtyards to witness the simplicity of daily life. Visit North Street, which boasts Zhujiajiao’s small-scale commercial lanes set to a backdrop of historical buildings and bridges. Board a boat for a tranquil cruise along winding waterways. Glide under stone bridges and see what life is like beside a river. For lunch, you may enjoy a meal you pre-packaged for yourself or eat at one the town’s most popular restaurants, Maolin Hall, renowned for its eel noodle and mutton noodle specialties. Visit Ke Zhi Yuan (Course Plant Garden), a large manorial garden home to one of the town’s tallest structures – a diametric pavilion called the Moon View Pavilion. If you feel like shopping, browse the various shops around town and peruse knick-knacks and nostalgic memorabilia that you may purchase as a keepsake of your unique experience.
Shanghai Pathways-Private One-day and Walking Tours
Nestled just an hour away from Shanghai is a cozy, ancient water town characterized by winding canals, stone bridges, secluded cobblestone alleyways and several buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. On this private tour, take advantage of your local guide’s expert knowledge on Zhujiajiao’s hidden gems and popular spots to plan a day based on your own interests. No matter what you choose to see and do, your friendly guide will be at your side to help facilitate and enhance your discovery of this ancient water town by providing enlightening commentary and introducing you to the local people. Please note that any fees for activities, food and site visits are at your own expense. After arriving in Zhujiajiao by private transfer from your Shanghai hotel, take a leisurely stroll over ancient stone bridges and see locals enjoying boat rides on the narrow waterways. Don’t miss Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-Fish-Free Bridge), where you can experience a curious tradition of purchasing live fish from street vendors and then releasing them into the water for good luck. Walk along the town’s cobbled pathways and pass quaint houses with courtyards to witness the simplicity of daily life. Visit North Street, which boasts Zhujiajiao’s small-scale commercial lanes set to a backdrop of historical buildings and bridges. Board a boat for a tranquil cruise along winding waterways. Glide under stone bridges and see what life is like beside a river. For lunch, you may enjoy a meal you pre-packaged for yourself or eat at one the town’s most popular restaurants, Maolin Hall, renowned for its eel noodle and mutton noodle specialties. Visit Ke Zhi Yuan (Course Plant Garden), a large manorial garden home to one of the town’s tallest structures – a diametric pavilion called the Moon View Pavilion. If you feel like shopping, browse the various shops around town and peruse knick-knacks and nostalgic memorabilia that you may purchase as a keepsake of your unique experience.
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shanghai Pathways
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Tour!!!
This was a fantastic tour!!! Mary was our guide and was phenomenal. She is very knowledgeable, personable, and funny. My husband cracks jokes constantly and by mid morning,Mary was cracking them right back at him. We had a lot of fun with her. The private tour was the way to go. You could completely customize it to your liking at the beginning of the day and even change and request things as you went along. We were pretty zonked by the end of the tour as it was our last tour of our 3 week trip, so, Mary arranged a couple of semi relaxing activities for us and then even arranged for us to be dropped off in a little area where we could eat, shop, and bar hop instead of dropping us back at our hotel. She made sure we were completely comfortable with the location and how to get back to our hotel before leaving us, but gave us her number if we had any issues. This was a great tour experience and I highly recommend Mary as a guide!!!
via Tripadvisor
We had an absolutely fabulous day...
<p>We had an absolutely fabulous day out with an extremely knowledgable guide who could not do enough for us.<br/> Very highly recommended!</p>
via Viator
Mary was our tour guide. She picked...
<p>Mary was our tour guide. She picked us up at our hotel and travelled to the water town. We had a lovely time there. Mary told us lots of information about the town, she was super friendly and made the day lots of fun. We had lunch at a lovely restaurant looking out at the water. On the way back as we still had time so Mary took us to the Bund for a walk along and to a Confucius temple. A very enjoyable day!</p>
via Viator
Our guide was very helpful and...
<p>Our guide was very helpful and friendly. She spoke good English. <br/> My children enjoyed several activities on this tour.<br/> 1. Releasing fishes and turtles into the river and praying for your wish to come true!!!<br/> 2. Aiming coins into the Tall Collection Bowl at the Goddess Temple.<br/> 3. The boat ride.<br/> 4. Feeding and taking photos alongside the Pet Macau birds.<br/> You can bargain and buy a few really artistic masks and trays from the street shops.<br/> If you have about four to five hours to spare, this trip is definitely worth the time. Our guide also told us some native stories and some local politics!!!!</p>
via Viator
Our tour guide Annie was great...
<p>Our tour guide Annie was great! </p> <p>There really wasn't much to see in the town, it was interesting, but very commercialized. Lots of souvenir vendors it you like that kind of thing. We were through the town and had lunch in a couple hours. By no means a full day tour, so when we got back to Shanghai, Annie took us into the Old Town district and a tour of the Yuyaun Garden. Great place and Annie knew it well. She made a 1 star tour into a 5 star and we got the full day we had paid for. Only givng this a 2 star rating, because that's how we felt about Zhujiajiao, but would highly reccomend Annie for tours in Shanghai.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $117 to $477
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Shanghai.
How much does Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai cost?
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Prices start at $117 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Shanghai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Shanghai is not rushed.
Is Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Shanghai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Shanghai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Shanghai and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour: Zhujiajiao Water Town from Shanghai start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Shanghai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Shanghai?
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On Outty we rank every Shanghai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights, Suzhou Private Day Trip from Shanghai with Bullet Train Option, 4-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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