24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
Brief Introduction of Qibao
Qibao is a very small ancient water town features with Hui style architecture in Shanghai. It’s over 30 minutes away from downtown Shanghai, but is definitely worth the trip. As a water town, it’s views aren’t nearly as scenic as those in the famous water towns like Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang, and lacks the many attractions of Suzhou, but it has plenty of excitement for a half-day visit and can be a fun place to shop and try unusual foods. It’s a great escape from the modernity of Shanghai. It is a comfortable way to see some of the old traditions, skills, wares, and snacks that you won’t see elsewhere today and preserved only by the tourism model.
Top Things to Visit in Qibao Anicent Town
Qibao cricket museum
There have a long history about cricket fighting in Qibao old town.
Qibao in a period of great prosperity during the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
By the prosperity Qibao also become a town popular for gambling, cricket
fighting become one regular method of gambling. Before every Autumn
there have many people catching, feeding, dealing and fighting cricket,
this activity become more and more popular, also more and more famous.
Cotton Textile Hall
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Qibao was subordinated to Songjiang Prefecture and was the main distribution center for “ clothing by the world ”. The museum exhibition focuses on planting, harvesting, spinning, weaving and dyeing, and introduces the brilliant cotton textile industry of Qibao.
The Memorial Hall of Zhang Chongren
It is located on the North Street of Qibao town. The building is the style of the Qingjiang South Wharf Wall, which opened on March 17, 2003. Covers an area of 800 square meters. There are 6 exhibition treasures, and more than 20 sculptures by Zhang Chongren are exhibited.
Zhou’s Micro-carving Museum
Zhou’s father and daughter used stone carvings and micro-carvings as talents to create works of art, and micro-carved “Huaxia Treasures” series, red building stone carving series, stone pot stone carving series, Jinwen Han monument series and so on. There are thousands of pieces in the exhibition, each with different forms and unique ingenuity.
What to Eat in Qibao Ancient Town
Tang Yuan
You can find Tang Yuan in Old Street Tang Tuan shops. Locals call the Tang Yuan without soup “tuan zi.” Our top recommendation here is the tuan zi (RMB 2 each), a steamed dumpling of hand-mashed glutinous rice stuffed with minced pork -- the filling is a classic Shanghainese combination.
Hai Tang Cake
These baked rice cakes have a generous red bean filling, a slight crackle from molten caramel on the crust and a soft, pancake-like texture. The humble Hai Tang Cake is plain looking, resembling a rustic pot pie, but it is the most iconic and the most delicious of all the qi bao rice cakes
Wine Marinated Meat
There are many kinds of bad vegetables in Shanghai, but the most distinctive one is the seven treasures. It changes the traditional method of distilling the brine, using glutinous rice and sweet wine to marinate and keep the tenderness of the pork and the sweetness of the rice wine.
Qibao Mutton
The traditional Chinese dish, Qibao Braised Lamb, was first distributed by the court of the Qing Dynasty. It is said to be the favorite of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Combine lamb, rock sugar, American ginseng, red dates, fine soy sauce, etc., on a small fire for 4-6 hours, and the texture is soft and tender, sweet like honey.
Basic Information
Location: Qibao, Minhang District, Shanghai
Entrance Fee: Free for enter the Qibao Town, but you need to pay if you want to go to visit the musuems. Combation tickets for 8 museums is CNY30.
Opening Hours: whole day, the museums and attractions will closed after 17:30pm
Time for visiting: 2-3 hours
How to get to Qibao Ancient Town from Shanghai
1) Take Shanghai metro line 9 from any station in Shanghai downtown, get off at Qibao metro station exit 2, walk about 10 mins can reach Qibao Ancient Town;
2) By Shanghai city taxi from your hotel directly.
3) Take city bus No. 803,513,87,91,92,92B to get off at Qibao Station
Prev: Xinchang Ancient Town
Next: Nanxiang Ancient Town
1. Is Qibao Water Town nice? Should I plan my Shanghai tour including Qibao?
It's worth visiting. It feels like there are lots of snacks in the ancient town of Meijing in the south of the Yangtze River. Eating snacks and drizzling. The weather in September is really good. It's romantic to take your partner with you. Transportation is also particularly convenient.
2. What is the best way from Shanghai downtown to Qibao water town
You can take metro or bus from Shanghai downtown on your own. Take Metro line 9 from downtown and get off at Qibao Station. It only few minutes walking from metro station to the old town; there are many buses from downtown to Qibao as well. If you want to travel easy, you can take taxi or book transfer service.
3. When is Qibao Water Town open? How much is the entrance fee?
Qibao Water Town opens all day long but the small attractions and indoor exhibitions are open from 9:00 to 18:00. It’s free for you to enter the town, but you need to pay for the attractions inside. A combo ticket costs CNY 30 and a separate ticket for each attraction costs CNY 5 to 10. You can buy it on spot.
4. How long should I stay in Qibao water town area?
We suggest you spend half day at Qibao Water Town will be enough since the town is quiet small. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), it is a little fan-shaped town. Here noted as Shanghai's Venice, glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains.
5. What’s the Qibao Water Town famous for?
Qibao Ancient Water Town is not only famous for its charming scenery and ancient architectures but also famous for its variety of delicious local food. There are food stalls which sell typical local food along the south of the old street. Actually, it is the food street that Qibao ancient water town is famous for.
6. Do you have Shanghai tour with Qibao Water Town?
Yes, we have some Shanghai tour packages including Qibao Water Town. Such as Shanghai city highlights with Qibao Town; Full day exploration at Qibao Water Town… We can also make a customized Qibao Tour which arrange the tour to Qibao Water Town based on your requirement.
7. When is the best time to visit Qibao in Shanghai?
The scenery in Qibao is suitable for a visit all year round. The town is quite small and can easily be explored by foot. But still, always avoid Chinese public holidays, such as National Day or Labor Day.
8. Is the credit card available in Qibao Water Town? Or should bring some cash?
Most of shops are not accept the credit card here in Qibao. You’d better bring some cash along with you in China, especially some small towns. Nowadays, people in China use more mobile payment that cash, you will find all the shops here with QR Code for the customer to scan and pay directly.
9. Is Qibao Water Town similar to Zhujiajiao? Which one is better?
Zhujiajiao and Qibao are both water towns and with similar scenery. Zhujiajiao is bigger than Qibao, but Qibao is the only water town located in greater Shanghai with a history as long as one thousand years. The town is much more than just a living fossil of the Chinese Water conurbation or the result of modern urban planning. If you are a foodie, you can taste a range of traditional snacks here.
10. Will Qibao water town be busy during weekend? How can I avoid the crowd?
Yes, it will be busier during the weekend or holidays than work days since it’s free open for tourists, many locals stay nearby. We suggest you visit in the morning, take a chance to visit here during the work days. If you take a tour, our guide will use his/her way to avoid the crowds.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road), Jade Buddha Temple, Old French Concession
Tour Style：Incredible Shanghai Highlights Day Tour is a comprehensive Shanghai one day tour tailored for those who have just one day to experience the city’s top attractions. This fully guided tour offers the expertise of a knowledgeable Shanghai private tour guide, ensuring that you make the most of your limited time. As you explore Shanghai’s highlights, you’ll gain valuable insights into the city’s rich culture, history, local lifestyle, and future developments. With complete flexibility, you can either follow a pre-designed itinerary or customize your tour to suit your interests, allowing for a unique Shanghai experience tailored to your preferences. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this Shanghai one day tour provides a well-rounded view of the city, making it ideal for travelers seeking an immersive and efficient exploration. Whether you're interested in historical sites, modern marvels, or local culture, this tour ensures that you see the best of Shanghai in a single day.
Duration：10 - 12 hours
Attractions(Cities)：The hangzhou Westlake(includingThree Ponds Mirroring the Moon), Guo Garden, Drangon Well Tea Plantation, Bamboo lined path at Yunqi, Hefang Street.
Tour Style：Embark on a memorable day trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich culture of this iconic city. Your journey begins with a serene boat ride on West Lake, where you'll witness stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Explore Guo's Villa, a tranquil garden showcasing traditional Chinese architecture and exquisite landscaping. In Meijiawu, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the tea village, learning about the world-famous Longjing tea. Visit Yunqi for a refreshing walk through the lush bamboo forests and peaceful streams. End your day with a stroll down Hefang Street, where you can experience local handicrafts, snacks, and historical charm.
Duration：9-10 hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style：Book this Shanghai to Suzhou day trip, part of our Suzhou Shanghai tour, and enjoy a seamless journey on a bullet train in less than 30 minutes. Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll explore Suzhou’s winding canals, historical buildings, ancient streets, and classic Chinese gardens. This private customized day tour offers a deep dive into Suzhou's rich heritage and picturesque landscapes. To enhance your experience, we will pre-book entrance tickets, allowing you to bypass the crowds and enjoy a hassle-free visit. This thoughtful arrangement ensures a comfortable and enjoyable day trip from Shanghai, blending convenience with an immersive exploration of Suzhou's traditional charm.
Duration：2 Days, 1 Night
Attractions(Cities)：The Bund, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Old French Concession, Yuyuan Bazaar & Snack Street, Disneyland Park
Tour Style：This Shanghai vacation package is designed for families who want to ensure a memorable experience for everyone—both kids and parents—during their visit to Shanghai. Our Shanghai city tour features a young and dynamic private guide who engages with every family member, making the experience enjoyable and interactive. The tour is thoughtfully planned to include breaks for kids and covers a variety of exciting destinations. Highlights include a visit to Disneyland Park, where families can enjoy thrilling rides and entertainment. Explore the old Snack & Food Street for a taste of local flavors, and visit iconic landmarks such as the Bund, Shanghai Tower, and the Old French Concession. Each location has captivating stories and historical significance that appeal to both children and adults, ensuring an enriching and fun-filled journey through Shanghai. This Shanghai vacation package offers a well-rounded city tour that caters to the interests of all family members.
Duration：5 Days, 4 Nights
Attractions(Cities)：Hangzhou: Westlake, Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, Longjing Tea Village... Suzhou:Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple, Tongli Water Town
Tour Style："Above there is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou." This carefully designed 5-day Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou tour offers a private, seamless way to explore these iconic cities from Shanghai. Breaking through language barriers with a knowledgeable guide and private vehicle, you’ll experience the beauty and tranquility of West Lake, admire the intricate designs of classical Chinese gardens, and gain insights into the unique history and culture of the region. This Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou itinerary includes immersive experiences that bring you closer to the local people and traditions, enriching your appreciation of these timeless destinations. A truly memorable journey awaits, filled with breathtaking scenery and a deep dive into Chinese heritage!
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