Qibao Ancient Town: A Journey through an urban ancient town that has emerged from a thousand-year-old legend

The Mystery of the Town's Name - The Legend of Seven Treasures
The name "Seven Treasures" is not an empty term but originated from a folk tale that has lasted for thousands of years. It is said that there were once seven rare treasures in the town: the Flying Buddha, the Floating Bell, the golden rooster, the jade axe, the jade chopsticks, the sacred tree, and the Golden Lotus Sutra. Every treasure has a magical story. For example, the "Floating Bell" is said to have floated from the river, and the "Golden Lotus Sutra" was neatly written in gold powder by the consort of King Qian Liu of Wuyue. These legends have cast a veil of mystery over the ancient town and also convey the people's yearning for prosperity and peace. Although most of the physical objects have been lost in history, the search for treasures and exploration have become a major pleasure in visiting ancient towns.

The Foundation of prosperity - A great town in the south of the Yangtze River that rose to prominence because of cotton cloth
The prosperity of Qibao Ancient Town is a history of the development of a Jiangnan town relying on canal transportation and handicrafts.
- Water system origin (before the Northern Song Dynasty) : Relying on rivers such as Puhui Pond and Hengli Port, villages began to form.
In the early Song Dynasty, the emperor bestowed the title of "Qibao Temple" upon the town. The temple economy drove the formation of surrounding commercial markets, and "Qibao Town" was named after the temple and gradually grew in scale.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qibao reached its peak due to the cotton textile industry and became one of the core fabric ports in Songjiang Prefecture, which was known for its "clothing and bedding for the world". The local cloth of "Qibaojian" was once famous, attracting a large number of merchants and teahouses and taverns, forming a prosperous pattern of "three Bridges and two streets".
Urban Preservation (Contemporary) : In the rapidly urbanizing Shanghai, the ancient town of Qibao has miraculously preserved the Ming and Qing Dynasty streets and waterways in its core area, becoming a "living" history museum that tells the complete story from agricultural civilization to industrial civilization and then to urban civilization.

> In-depth Understanding: Explore More Legends of Jiangnan Ancient Towns >> [Zhujiajiao Ancient Town] [Nanxun Ancient Town]

Nature's creation - The Pulse and Rhythm of the Water Alley
Although the ancient town of Qibao is small, its layout is entirely shaped by water, which is its soul.
The Dynamic Water: The City River Memory of Puhui Pond
Puhuitang and Sanqiao: Puhuitang, which runs east-west through the ancient town, was once a golden waterway. The Puhuitang Bridge (in the middle), Anping Bridge (in the north) and Kangle Bridge (in the south) on the pond, collectively known as the "Three Bridges", are the symbol of the ancient town. Standing on the Puhuitang Bridge, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the water pavilions and houses on both banks. In the early morning or at dusk, when the light is soft and the water surface is like a mirror, it is the best time to capture the charm of the water town.
- Water Lane Cruise: Taking a hand-cranketed gondola (about 30 yuan per person) to navigate through the narrow water lanes is the best way to experience the ancient town from another perspective. The OARS rustled as they glided across the ancient stone revetments. Watching the willows by the shore brush against the window lattices, it instantly felt as if one were transported back to the bustling streets of Jiangnan hundreds of years ago. Photography tip: Using a medium focal length lens on a cruise ship can capture vivid scenes composed of pedestrians on the shore, shops and reflections in the water.
Town texture: The "cross" pattern exudes a sense of the bustling market
The ancient town is structured with the Puhui Pond and the Hengli River as its framework, forming a "non-" shaped water system. The North Street (mainly featuring snacks) and the South Street (mainly featuring cultural and creative products and tea houses) that stretch along the river constitute the core" cross "street. This compact layout enables tourists to fully appreciate the essence of the "streets and markets formed by water" in the Jiangnan water towns within just a few hundred meters.

Humanistic Craftsmanship - A Miniature Museum of Jiangnan Culture
Every building and every venue here condenses a profound history.
The newly-built Seven Treasures Temple and the Seven Treasures Pagoda: The original temple was destroyed. The newly rebuilt temple is located in a corner of the ancient town. The Seven Treasures Pagoda inside the temple has become the highest point and spiritual symbol of the ancient town. From the top of the tower, one can overlook the black tiles of the entire town and gaze at the modern urban skyline in the distance. The impact of the dialogue between the past and the present is extremely strong.
- Miniature Museum Cluster: The ancient town houses several small and exquisite thematic museums, which is a major feature.
- Qibao Shadow Puppetry Art Museum: Showcasing the national intangible cultural heritage "Jiangnan Shadow Puppetry", there are performances by veteran artists at fixed times every day, vividly passing on this ancient art.
The Zhang Chongren Memorial Hall: Commemorating this renowned modern sculptor and oil painter born in Qibao, it serves as a small window to understand the art of the Shanghai School.
- Cricket Thatched Cottage and Old Trade Hall: It recreates the folk custom of seven treasures fighting crickets in the past and the long-vanished market trades, making it full of fun.
The buildings on both sides of the North and South streets are mostly in the styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China era, with upturned eaves and corners, and horse-head walls scattered here and there. Although the ground floor is mostly filled with shops, a careful observation of the latticed wooden Windows and the mottled walls on the second floor still allows one to sense the old charm. The Zhou Family Micro-Sculpture Museum houses an extraordinary technique of engraving "The Art of War" on ivory the size of a grain of rice, which is truly breathtaking.

Photography Secrets:
The best panoramic camera position is on the Puhuitang Bridge, where you can capture the classic water town scene composed of the river, the ancient bridge and the buildings on both banks.
The narrow alleys of Beida Street, with the use of depth perception and hanging lanterns and shop signs, can capture a strong sense of the hustle and bustle of daily life.
At the blue hour of dusk, when the lanterns in the ancient town are lit up but the sky is not yet completely dark, it is the golden time for shooting night scenes. The contrast between warm and cool tones is extremely beautiful.
Extra caution is required when flying drones. As they are located in densely populated areas, it is essential to abide by local regulations and take off and land in designated open areas.

Five must-do things to unlock a Complete Ancient Town Tour
Try the Daoqi Bao snacks
- Core: Eating is the top priority when visiting the Seven Treasures! Beidajie is truly a "street of snacks".
Must-eat list: Seven-Treasure Lamb (white cut, braised), Seven-Treasure Square Cake (red bean paste, jujube paste), Crabapple Cake, Braised Pork, Tangyuan (fresh meat, red bean paste), Stinky Tofu. It is recommended to taste a small amount of each item to satisfy your appetite.
2. Trace the whereabouts of the "Seven Treasures" once
- Fun: Hold the map of the ancient town and follow it to search for scenic spots related to the legendary "Seven Treasures", such as seeing the "Floating Bell" (replica) at the Seven Treasures Temple and looking for the story card of the "jade axe" in the old street.
- Harvest: This is not merely a tour; it's also a cultural treasure hunt full of childlike fun.
3. Listen to a Jiangnan shadow puppetry
- Location: Qibao Shadow Puppet Art Museum.
- Experience: Watch veteran artists manipulating shadow puppets behind the scenes, accompanied by local singing, to perform classic plays such as "Romance of The Three Kingdoms" and "Journey to the West". This is the visible and audible inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.
4. Take a ride in a hand-cranked wooden boat
- Time: It is recommended to avoid noon and choose the morning or evening when the light is good and the temperature is comfortable.
- Perspective: Looking up at the ancient town from the middle of the water and listening to the boatwoman explain in the soft local dialect is a leisurely experience that cannot be obtained on foot.
5. Search for a cultural and creative souvenir
- Destination: More cultural and creative stores and quiet tea houses on South Street.
- Recommendation: You can purchase mini shadow puppet handicrafts, postcards with the theme of Qibao Ancient Town, or bring a box of handcrafted Qibao square cakes for your friends and relatives.

Suggested tour route
Half-day "Essence Cuisine" Tour (Classic Recommendation, Suitable for Those with tight Schedules)
Arrive at 2 p.m. (Exit 1 of Qibao Metro Station) → Enter Beidajie from the entrance of the ancient town and start the snack street shopping mode, enjoying food and strolling around (1.5 to 2 hours) → Cross Puhuitang Bridge Choose a riverside teahouse on South Street for a short rest (0.5 hours) → Visit the Qibao Shadow Puppetry Art Museum to watch a performance (0.5 hours) → If interested, you can take a cruise (0.5 hours) → In the evening, enjoy the night view of the ancient town with its lanterns just lit up and then leave.
IntoTravelChina Tips: This itinerary focuses on delicious food and core experiences, with a relaxed pace. There is a huge flow of people on North Street on weekends and holidays. Please take good care of your personal belongings.

One-day "In-depth Cultural" Tour (Strongly Recommended, including Shanghai Urban Area Linkage)
In the morning: Arrive at the ancient town of Qibao and systematically visit small museums such as the Zhang Chongren Memorial Hall, the Cricket Hall, and the Zhou Family Micro-Sculpture Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.
At noon: Enjoy a hearty meal on North Street and taste all kinds of local snacks.
In the afternoon: Watch a shadow puppet show and then take a hand-cranked boat to experience the ancient town from the water. After that, you can stroll to the Seven Treasures Temple and climb the Seven Treasures Pagoda to have a distant view.
In the evening: Enjoy a local cuisine dinner in or around the ancient town. After that, you can choose:
Option A: Return to the urban area of Shanghai and head to the Bund or Yu Garden to enjoy the urban night view.
Option B: Head to nearby modern business districts such as Hongqiao Plaza or MixC to experience the fashionable vitality of Shanghai.
IntoTravelChina's advantages: We can plan efficient transportation connections between the urban area of Shanghai and Qibao Ancient Town for you, recommend and book popular restaurants both inside and outside the ancient town, and ensure a seamless integration of your urban and ancient town experiences.

Professional Guide: IntoTravelChina can offer you a private customized itinerary, including a dedicated tour guide, transportation and activity arrangements, allowing you to enjoy a deep and worry-free trip. >> [Consult for Customization Now]

How to Get There: A Seamless Connection Guide
The transportation convenience of Qibao Ancient Town is second to none among all the ancient towns in China.
When starting from the urban area of Shanghai, the subway is definitely the first choice. Take Metro Line 9 to "Qibao" Station, exit from Exit 1 or Exit 2, and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the core area of the ancient town. Travel tip: Avoid driving by yourself. Parking Spaces around the ancient town are tight and expensive.
Starting from Shanghai Hongqiao Transportation Hub (high-speed railway station/airport), take Metro Line 10 to "Hongqiao Road" Station, then transfer to Metro Line 9 to "Qibao" Station. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes. Or you can take a taxi directly. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
All other scenic spots in Shanghai can be reached by transferring to Line 9 through the well-developed metro network. Travel tip: Download the "Metro Metropolis" APP and scan the code to take the subway for the most convenient convenience.

Best visiting time
The ancient town of Qibao is suitable for visiting all year round, but it is better to avoid extreme weather and major holidays.
- The comfortable spring and autumn seasons (March to May, September to November) : The climate is the most pleasant, and strolling in the ancient town is the most comfortable. In spring, the willows by the river turn fresh green; in autumn, the sky is high and the air is refreshing.
- Summer night season (June to August) : It's hot during the day, but at night, the riverside of the ancient town enjoys a cool breeze and is ablaze with lights, making it an ideal place to come for a late-night snack and enjoy the night view after dusk.
- Winter warm Food Season (December to February) : The weather is cold and gloomy, but it is the perfect time to enjoy steaming hot Seven-treasure mutton soup and square cakes, which can bring warmth from the stomach to the heart.

Accommodation options
The ancient town of Qibao itself is mainly for day Tours, and there are very few characteristic homestays within the scenic area. However, as part of Shanghai, it offers an unlimited variety of accommodation options.
- Hotels in the urban area of Shanghai (preferred) :
Hotels along Metro Line 9: Stay in the city center areas such as Xujiahui and Dapuqiao. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Qibao Ancient Town by metro. At the same time, you can enjoy the hustle and bustle and convenience of the city center.
2. Hotels in Hongqiao Hub Area: There are a high concentration of business hotels. It is only 2-3 subway stops away from the ancient town, making it suitable for business travelers or those who need to catch flights or high-speed trains quickly.
- Local hotels in Minhang District: There are also many mid-to-high-end hotels within a 1-3 kilometer radius around the ancient town, with relatively quiet environments.

IntoTravelChina Accommodation Booking Suggestions
We strongly recommend that you include Qibao Ancient Town as part of your trip to Shanghai and arrange accommodation uniformly in the urban area of Shanghai. Based on your plan to visit core attractions such as Disney, the Bund and museums, we can recommend hotels with the best geographical locations for you to ensure maximum transportation efficiency. [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

The Ancient town of Qibao is a unique entry point to unlock Shanghai's urban character of "embracing all rivers", and it can be perfectly connected with the urban landscape and the broader Chinese charm.
Six-day Tour of Shanghai, Wuzhen and Hangzhou: Starting from the modern skyline of Shanghai and the bustling water towns of Qibao, delve into Zhejiang and experience the classic imagery of Jiangnan all at once. The itinerary can be designed as follows: Shanghai (Bund - Yuyuan Garden - Qibao Ancient Town) → Wuzhen (West District Night View and Drama Culture) → Hangzhou (Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake and Longjing Tea Mountain). This route integrates international cities, ancient towns by water and paradises by lakes and mountains, and is the essence loop for experiencing the dual charm of "classical and modern" in the Jiangnan region. Check out the 6-day classic tour route of Shanghai, Wuzhou and Hangzhou

Ten-day Tour of Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Guiyang and Chongqing: Starting from Shanghai, embark on a journey from the cities of East China to the wonders of Southwest China. The itinerary can be planned as follows: Shanghai (city landmarks and Qibao Ancient Town) → Zhangjiajie, Hunan (Wulingyuan Fantasy Peak Forest) → Guiyang, Guizhou (Huangguoshu Waterfall and Qingyan Ancient Town) → Chongqing (Mountain city night view and hot pot cuisine). This route spans from east to west, with a strong contrast. It leads directly from the Shanghai-style charm to world-class natural heritage and magical mountain towns, allowing you to experience the ultimate diversity of China. Explore a 10-day super landscape tour from Southeast to Southwest

The story of Qibao Ancient Town is about the inheritance of the common people, the charm of legends and the inclusiveness of the city. IntoTravelChina is dedicated to creating in-depth, personalized and worry-free travel experiences in China. Our travel experts can help you
Tailor-made itinerary: Based on your different preferences for history, cuisine, shopping or family entertainment, we design a perfect route that includes the ancient town of Qibao, Shanghai and even the Yangtze River Delta.
One-stop service: Handle all ticket sales, special transportation, preferred accommodation and event reservations, and solve your language and navigation problems in a strange big city.
Exclusive in-depth experience: Arrange backstage visits to shadow puppetry, intangible cultural heritage hands-on experiences, local cuisine cooking classes or city strolls led by local "old-school" artisans.

Let your visit to the ancient town of Qibao be more than just savoring snacks; it will also be a cultural decoding experience to understand why Shanghai is what it is.
Start planning your journey right away
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