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Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town Distance: 3 Ways to Get There
First, let's get our bearings. Where is Zhujiajiao located on map? You'll find this ancient gem tucked away in the Qingpu District (青浦区), sitting at about 31.11° N and 121.05° E.
It's roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of downtown Shanghai.
The Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town distance might seem short, but how long it takes depends entirely on your "travel style."
| From | To | Transport Mode | Distance | Travel Time | Travel Cost | Note |
| Hongqiao Railway Station | Zhujiajiao Metro Station | Metro | 53 km | 2.5h | 6+ RMB | Includes 1h city connection & 30m local bus |
| Pu'an Road East Yan'an Road Bus Hub | Zhujiajiao Bus Station | Bus | 48 km | 2.5h | 12 RMB | Has limited intermediate stops |
| Your Hotel | Zhujiajiao Water Town | Private Ride | 50 km | 1h | In tour | Direct to the scenic area entrance |
If you're a budget ninja, the metro is your best friend.
If you want to see the city sights from a window, the bus is a solid choice.
But if you're traveling with family or just want to avoid 3 different transfers, a private ride with Asia Odyssey Travel is the only way to go door-to-door.
#1. Metro to Zhujiajiao (2.5h): The Shanghai Metro Line 17 & Bus Combo
How to get to Zhujiajiao Water Town by metro? The secret is all in the Shanghai Metro Line 17. It's actually a metro + bus combo!
The Zhujiajiao Metro Station itself is about 1.5 km away from the historic center. To reach the ancient stone bridges, you'll finish your journey with a half an hour local bus ride or a scenic sightseeing boat.
Step 1. Connection to Hongqiao Railway Station (1h)
Most visitors stay in the heart of the city—areas like People's Square or Xintiandi.
To start your journey, you first need to reach Hongqiao Railway Station, which is about 19km west of downtown. It's a massive hub, but well-signed in English!
| Departure | Metro Line | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
| People's Square (人民广场) | Line 2 | 50mins | 5 RMB | ~5 mins |
| Xintiandi (一大会址-新天地) | Line 10 | 60mins | 4 RMB | ~6 mins |
If you aren't starting at these two spots, don't worry. You can hop on Line 2 or 10 at several major stations. Just keep an eye out for these stops:
Line 2 Route: People's Square → West Nanjing Rd (南京西路) → Jing'an Temple (静安寺) → Zhongshan Park (中山公园) → Hongqiao Airport T2 (虹桥2号航站楼) → Hongqiao Railway Station. (First: 05:37 / Last: 23:30).
Line 10 Route: Xintiandi → Shaanxi South Rd (陕西南路) → Jiaotong University (交通大学) → Shuicheng Rd (水城路) → Shanghai Zoo (上海动物园) → Hongqiao Railway Station. (First: 05:55 / Last: 23:16).Step 2. Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhujiajiao Metro Station (1h)
Once you step off at Hongqiao, follow the purple signs for Line 17. This is the specialized "suburban" line that will take you straight toward the water town.
| From | To | Duration | Intermediate Stops | Frequency |
| Hongqiao Railway Stn | Zhujiajiao (Exit 1) | ~35 mins | 11 stops | Every 10 mins |
The ride is actually quite scenic as the train moves above ground.
The first Shanghao to Zhujiajiao train leaves Hongqiao at 06:00, and the last one heads back at 23:00. Once you arrive, head out through Exit 1.
Step 3. Zhujiajiao Metro Station to Zhujiajiao Water Town by Bus (20mins)
You've made it to the neighborhood! Now you just need to cover that final mile.
You can walk for about 20 minutes, save your legs for the ancient alleys and take a quick local bus, or hop on a sightseeing boat.
| From | To | Duration | Bus Lines | Frequency |
| Zhujiajiao Metro (Exit 1) | Zhujiajiao Scenic Area | 20 mins | Qingping Line / Qingpu 35 | ~15-20 mins |
How to find the bus?
- Walk about 400 meters to the Zhuxi Road Huqingping Highway Station (珠溪路沪青平公路站) stop, taking about 6 minutes.
- From there, it's a short 3-stop hop to Xiangningbang Road Jiulong Road Station (祥凝浜路酒龙路站), which is the gateway to the old town.
Want to skip the bus and start your adventure early? Right outside Exit 1, you can find a Sightseeing Electric Boat.
It's 40 RMB per person for a one-way trip.
It runs every 20 minutes (08:30–17:00) and takes you directly to the iconic Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥) in the heart of the town. It's a 20-minute ride that feels much more "water town" than a bus!
#2. Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Bus (2.5h): The Huzhu Express (Limited Stops)
If you are staying near the city center—especially around the Bund or People's Square—the Shanghai to Zhujiajiao bus is a classic choice.
It saves you the hassle of navigating multiple metro transfers and lets you see the city transition into the quiet suburbs from the comfort of your seat.
Step 1. Pu'an Road East Yan'an Road Bus Hub to Zhujiajiao Bus Station (1h)
The most convenient departure point is the Pu'an Road Bus Station (near East Yan'an Road). It's just a 5-minute walk from the Shanghai Concert Hall.
In the past, this was a direct "non-stop" ride, but these days the Huzhu Express (沪朱高速快线) operates with a few limited stops along the highway.
You'll start at Pu'an Road, head onto the highway, and make a few quick stops at major intersections like Waiqingsong Highway and Caoying Road before pulling into the final stop.
| From | To | En-route Stops | Frequency |
| Pu'an Rd & E Yan'an Rd (普安路延安东路) | Zhujiajiao Bus Station | 6 limited stops | Every 30-60 mins |
Buying your ticket is easy. You can pay directly on the bus using Alipay, WeChat Pay, or even a standard transportation card. If you prefer the old-school way, they still accept cash (12 RMB).
Step 2. Zhujiajiao Bus Station to Zhujiajiao Water Town (10mins)
When you hop off at the Zhujiajiao Bus Station (朱家角汽车站), you're nearly there, but you're still about 2 km from the main entrance of the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Tourist Zone.
You have 2 choices: a pleasant 20-minute walk or a quick 10-minute local bus transfer. If you want to save your energy for the ancient alleys, I recommend taking a local bus.
| From | To | Duration | Bus Lines | Frequency |
| Zhujiajiao Bus Station | Zhuhu Rd (Kezhi Garden) | ~10 mins | Qingpu 29 / Zhujiajiao 1 | Every 10-15 mins |
Just transfer at the same station to the Line Qingpu 29 (青浦29路: heading toward Huijin Road).
Stay on for about 6 stops and get off at Zhuhu Road Kezhiyuan Road (珠湖路课植园路). You'll step off right near the stunning Kezhi Garden (课植园), one of the best spots to start your walking tour.
#3. The Fastest Way from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao (1h): Asia Odyssey Travel's Private Ride
Traveling with family or just want to skip the "transfer dance" altogether? Our private ride is the absolute winner. We cut the travel time down to just 1 hour to finish the 50km trek!
We'll pick you up right at your hotel lobby and take the most efficient highway route (usually the G50 or S26) depending on the morning traffic.
- Our Fleet: From comfy 5-seat sedans for couples to spacious 14-seat vans for larger groups, we've got the perfect fit.
- Direct Access: We drop you right at the scenic area entrance—no extra buses or long walks required.
- The Full Experience: Our tours aren't just a ride; they include a local guide to show you the hidden "shikumen" houses, a pre-arranged lunch of local favor, and plenty of insider stories you won't find in a guidebook.
How to Get Around the Zhujiajiao Water Town?
Once you've made it to the gates, the real magic begins!
The best part? Entrance to the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Tourist Zone is actually free! You can wander the streets and cross the bridges without spending a dime.
You only need a ticket if you want to deep-dive into specific historic spots like the stunning Kezhi Garden (20 RMB), the Great Qing Post Office (大清邮局), or the serene Yuanjin Zen Temple (圆津禅寺).
On Foot: Getting Lost in the Alleys
To help you stay on track, I've put together a walking route that hits all the big icons in about 3 to 4 hours.
| Stop | What to See | Walking Time | Recommended Stay | Tip |
| 1. Visitor Center | Starting Point | — | 10 mins | Grab a physical map here just in case! |
| 2. Kezhi Garden (课植园) | Grand private manor | 10 mins | 1 hour | Don't miss the Moon Gate—perfect for photos. |
| 3. Hexin Garden (和心园) | Private museum | 2 mins | 30 mins | A quiet escape with amazing stone carvings. |
| 4. North Street (北大街) | "Ming & Qing" street | 5 mins | 40 mins | The best place to try steaming hot zongzi. |
| 5. Fangsheng Bridge (放生桥) | Iconic 5-arch bridge | 10 mins | 20 mins | Look for the rowers passing underneath. |
| 6. Yuanjin Zen Temple (圆津禅寺) | Serene Buddhist site | 5 mins | 30 mins | Climb the pavilion for a top-down view of the canal. |
| 7. City God Temple (城隍庙) | Historic Taoist temple | 5 mins | 20 mins | Check out the intricate roof carvings. |
| 8. Gt. Qing Post Office (大清邮局) | Antique mail hub | 5 mins | 20 mins | Mail a postcard with a local town stamp! |
Zhujiajiao Boat Ride: The Romantic Way
You haven't truly experienced a water town until you've seen it from a Zhujiajiao boat ride. These are traditional hand-rowed gondolas (yaoluchuan).
There's something so relaxing about the sound of the wooden oar hitting the water while you glide under 400-year-old bridges.
Where to hop on: You can find piers at North Street or near Fangsheng Bridge.
The Cost: It's 200 RMB per boat, and each boat holds up to 6 people. If you're a solo traveler or a couple, you can often "split" a boat with others at the pier to save some cash.
The Duration: A one-way trip takes about 20 minutes.
Is a Day Trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town Enough? How to Plan?
A day trip from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao is absolutely ENOUGH!
In fact, most of our travelers find that 3 to 4 hours is plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy a boat ride, and fill their camera rolls with ancient architecture.
Since it's so close to the city center, you don't need to rush or wake up at the crack of dawn to see the best of it.
A Day Trip Itinerary from Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town
Here is a breakdown of how to plan your perfect day out:
| Time | Activity | Highlight |
| 9:00 AM | Depart from Shanghai | Head out via Shangahi Subway Line 17, bus or private ride. |
| 10:30 AM | Arrive & Garden Visit | Start with the peaceful Kezhi Garden. |
| 12:00 PM | Local Lunch | Try braised pork trotters and zongzi by the canal. |
| 1:30 PM | Boat Ride | Take a traditional gondola from the North Street pier. |
| 2:30 PM | Photography Walk | Cross Fangsheng Bridge to open side panel for more information for the best town views. |
| 4:00 PM | Head Back | Return to the city in time for dinner. |
2 Days
1 PlaceConnecting with Other Shanghai Gems
Zhujiajiao is just one piece of the puzzle. To make the most of your time in the region, you can easily pair this trip with other iconic spots.
Most of our travelers at Asia Odyssey Travel spend about 1 to 4 days in Shanghai to get a complete feel for the city's "Old vs. New" vibe.
The Classic City Loop:
Hit the "Golden Trio" in one go. Start with the ancient pavilions of Yu Garden, stroll the historic Bund for skyline views, and finish at the top of the Shanghai Tower.
Family Fun in Shanghai Disneyland:
If you travel with families, Shanghai Disneyland is a must. It's home to the world's tallest Disney castle and the high-speed TRON coaster—a total hit for kids and adults. See Shanghai Disneyland on map!
How to Get to Shanghai Disneyland: Metro & Travel Guide
Shanghai Your Way with Asia Odyssey Travel: From Quick Bites to Deep Dives
Whether you are stopping over for a few hours or staying for a week, our team at Asia Odyssey Travel is here to make the logistics invisible.
Our local office is located at Asia Odyssey Travel (Room 11-13, 11th Floor, 899 Dongfang Road, Pudong), right in the heart of the action.
We handle everything from budget-friendly Shanghai group tours to tailor-made Shanghai private adventures.
Beyond the city, we can even extend your journey to the "Venice of the East" sister cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou, or even north to Beijing.
Contact us today to tailor your Shanghai to Zhujiajiao journey—let's get you on the water!
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