Zhujiajiao Water Town (Shanghai, China)
Zhujiajiao Water Town
Zhujiajiao is a water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, and was established about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings dating back 5,000 years have also been found. 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao, and many ancient buildings still line the riverbanks today.
The village prospered through clothing and rice businesses. Today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and even a Qing dynasty post office can still be found.
Zhujiajiao has many sights of historic interest, such as Fangsheng Bridge, Kezhi Garden and the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple.
However, recent overdevelopment threatens the village's authenticity - most notably the current (since 2012) conversion of its people's square into shops and the large-scale shopping and entertainment complexes being constructed in and around the Old Town.
The town is also famous for its cuisine, particularly green soy beans, Zarou, lotus roots and other foods.