Jinze Ancient Town

Jinze Ancient Town

Jinze Ancient Town is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Jinze is situated in the southwestern part of Qingpu District and is the southernmost town in the region. It lies 22 kilometers from downtown Qingpu and 66 kilometers from central Shanghai. To the north is Dianshan Lake, to the east it borders Xicen Town, to the west it neighbors Shangta Town, and to the south it faces Taipu River, which marks the boundary with Dashun Town of Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province. To the west, it follows National Highway 318 to connect with Luxu Town of Wujiang, Jiangsu. Running through the town is a north-south flowing municipal river, along with several tributaries. The total area of Jinze Town is 2,644 square kilometers, dotted with lakes and ponds and crisscrossed by rivers and canals, making it a typical water town in the Jiangnan region. With a long history, Jinze was established as a town as early as 960 AD (early Song Dynasty), known for flourishing in the Song and reaching its peak in the Yuan Dynasty. Legend has it that in the past, a farmer found a stone as golden as gold, hence the name “Jinshi” (Gold Stone), though it is also said that the area, being a watery land rich in fish and rice, was so prosperous it was called “Jinze” (Golden Marsh).

Jinze Town is a well-known “town of bridges” in Shanghai. The famous calligrapher and seal carver Qian Juntao inscribed the four large characters “Bridge Hometown of Jiangnan.” Historical records indicate that Jinze once had “six temples, one pagoda, thirteen lanes, and forty-two arched bridges,” and there was a saying that “every temple had a bridge, and every bridge had a temple.” Each bridge not only had its own unique features but was also associated with temples, monasteries, or nunneries. Today, most of the temples have been lost, but the bridges from those times still stand gracefully. The bridges of Jinze are extraordinary—not only in number but also as historically significant structures. To this day, the town preserves seven ancient bridges built during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties: Yingxiang Bridge, Zushi Bridge (also called Ruyi Bridge), Fangsheng Bridge, Pujie Bridge, Tianwang Bridge, Wan’an Bridge, and Guanye Bridge (also known as Linlao Bridge). Among them, Pujie Bridge, built in the third year of the Xianchun era of the Song Dynasty, is the oldest stone arch bridge in the Shanghai area.

Jinze Town is also a sacred Buddhist destination. The “Yihao Chan Temple,” built in the first year of the Jingding era of the Song Dynasty, was once famed across Jiangnan for its grand architecture of 5,048 rooms. Hence the saying, “Even the Chengtian Temple of Suzhou and the Lingyin Temple of Hangzhou cannot match its magnificence.” It has since been partially restored and bears an inscription by Mr. Zhao Puchu reading “Yihao Chan Temple,” enjoying flourishing incense offerings all year round.

The charm of Jinze is mainly reflected in its temple fairs and traditional festivals. To enrich these events and create lively scenes, the ancient town has developed many interesting local customs. These include: Tangming, a musical and performance group originating in Jinze, typically consisting of over ten members who play instruments and perform operatic pieces to enhance the festive atmosphere; Dajiao, a special summer ritual ceremony for worshipping gods and ancestors; Sizhu bands, which are folk music ensembles; and Tian’ge, a form of primitive vocal art and also an oral literary tradition.

Jinze’s unique local specialties include Zhuangyuan Cake, dried tofu, and aquatic products. Jinze Zhuangyuan Cake is golden in color, fragrant, sweet, and delicious; Zhao Family dried tofu has a delicate texture and a rich taste. As a water town surrounded by rivers and lakes, Jinze abounds in fish, eel, shrimp, turtle, crab, and eel. Thanks to the high quality of the water, its aquatic products are tender and delicious, renowned far and wide.

Suggested Duration

One day

Transportation

Take the Shangtai Fixed Route (Shanghai Stadium – Sun Island) or Huqing Special Line to Qingpu Town in Qingpu District, then transfer to the Qingjin Line (Qingpu Bus Station – Jinze).

Take the Shangzhu Line (West Bus Station – Zhujiajiao) to Zhujiajiao Town in Qingpu District, then transfer to the Qingjin Line (Qingpu Bus Station – Jinze).

The Huqingping Expressway provides direct access to Jinze.

Self-driving route: City center – Yan’an Elevated Road – G50 Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway – exit at Jinze.

Ticket Price

12 RMB

Opening Hours

Open all day

Location

Jinze Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai