Zhujiajiao Water Town Review: Airport Transfer Option & Handy Tips

Alright, planning a trip to Shanghai and want to duck away from the super-modern city vibe for a day? Then, maybe you have heard of Zhujiajiao Water Town, a place almost like stepping back in time, is that right? It’s an old town not far from Shanghai, you see, with canals, age-old bridges, and buildings looking so traditional. Now, what if you’re coming straight from the airport? It turns out there’s an option to go to Zhujiajiao straightaway. Is it worthwhile, you might wonder? Let’s take a look.

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What’s So Great about Zhujiajiao?

Basically, Zhujiajiao is something like a window into old China, if you know what I mean. Canals crisscross all through it, and there are houses from both the Ming and Qing dynasties – that is, a really long time ago, actually. The bridges have interesting architecture too, especially the Fangsheng Bridge. So, too you get to walk around small, twisty streets filled with shops and food places, is that not wonderful?

Then, one of the main highlights is just taking a boat ride on the canal. They glide so gently along the water, you just soak up the atmosphere. Arguably, it’s best in the earlier hours, when the crowds are a little thinner, isn’t it? Otherwise, later in the day it can be very full. You can buy all kinds of handmade things too it’s almost like traditional snacks and silk items in shops around the town, in some respects.

Is an Airport Transfer a Solid Idea?

Now, landing at Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA), you know, all you probably want is to go to your accommodation or your destination like pronto. Arguably, traveling to Zhujiajiao straight might actually make sense for you in a way, especially if:

• Your Shanghai hotel is just a bit of distance.
• You’re just happy visiting one sight close to the city.
• Your flight arrives reasonably early so that you can spend several hours there.

That way, an airport transfer lets you sidestep some complications. And as a matter of fact, instead of dragging luggage to Shanghai first, and after that backtrack to the water town, is that appealing to you? That might work better, for sure.

Okay, What Should I Look for in a Zhujiajiao Airport Transfer?

First off, when you are trying to find an airport transfer, you need to know some factors. That, and you can use this to see if it is an arrangement you want.

• Private Vehicle or Group Tour?: A private car is normally speedier, but of course a group tour might save a bit of funds. You get flexibility too when going in a group, obviously.
• Meet-and-Greet: Does anyone just greet you at arrivals and help you with the stuff when you show up? Typically, this may well make a whole world of variation after you get off a long flight.
• English-Speaking Driver/Guide?: Since it’s very useful if your driver understands what you’re talking about so you might not have a difficult time communicating. If you can, book a tour that provides this assistance!
• All-Inclusive Pricing: Almost like that, you may have to know what’s incorporated – tolls, parking, admission fees and boat rides – that type of thing.

That way, too, make certain you check the ratings before choosing one. It’s pretty beneficial too if you can read others’ experiences before you buy!

A Little Peek into my Trip: One Person’s Experience

Okay, so, once upon a time, my arrival happened to be at Pudong during morning time, in a way, after a very tiresome transpacific journey. Seemingly, Zhujiajiao was going to be where I went before checking into a hotel. That meant I had booked a private transfer right from the airport, and as a matter of fact, I was very glad that I had done that!

Like I walked out to discover my driver there waiting with a sign with my name. He helped me carry my belongings in the automobile, plus handed me some water. Basically, the automobile seemed relaxing, and he was careful when he was driving me! We took about an hour to drive out to Zhujiajiao, and during our travel time, the driver gave me insights relating to the spot with Chinese culture too it’s almost like that.

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Too, he was there when we arrived, so, he just helped me arrange to have my luggage stored so that I wouldn’t be hauling it the full place around. In essence, I devoted about 4 hours going all over Zhujiajiao – touring, trying some street eats (the rice dumplings!), including also taking that scenic boat trip. So, I just thought it was an effective, and quite beautiful glimpse into the classical side of Shanghai, that’s it.

When it was time, I encountered my driver again and the journeyed to my resort throughout the city. Without a doubt, it eliminated two transfers I would have required usually (airport to city, then city to water town). Basically, I feel this saved me energy and just some time as a whole.

Some of my “Don’t Forget” Tips for your Zhujiajiao Visit

• Best Time to Go?: So, that goes without mentioning the weekdays might tend to be way less congested than weekends and holidays, right? Then, late spring or autumn are commonly enjoyable weather-wise!
• Dress?: As I was saying, wear cozy footwear, given the old paving. Also, for females, be sure to have something to protect you when exploring temples if you want.
• Cash is Handy: Even though some spots will take online payments, some reduced vendors might solely recognize cash – it would seem worthwhile to be sure you have got some on hand so you can avoid some trouble in the long run.
• Haggling?: So, just do not be shy about doing a tiny amount of negotiating, predominantly within the smaller outlets. Naturally, carry out in a well-mannered manner, right?
• Try the Food: Apparently, there are some unique snacks around there: rice dumplings (zongzi), local sweets, various things. Try at minimum just one item, it would seem?

Alternate Ways to Reach Zhujiajiao

Clearly, an airport transfer isn’t for all of us, sure. Are there some other selections available to head out to Zhujiajiao? Very certainly, there tend to be:

• Metro + Bus: Get the subway to a station such as Hongqiao and after that, catch a bus from there into the town. Seemingly, it would be the inexpensive possibility but it’s quite involved so give your own self plenty of time for travelling this way.
• Taxi/Didi: Taxis is a more quickly option, actually, but also more dear too it’s almost obvious. When using Didi (the Chinese language equivalent of Uber), then be sure to have that established on your smartphone and simply understand just where to say as a destination (Zhujiajiao Ancient Town).
• Organized Tours From Shanghai: Many vacation tour companies are going to bundle the day tour from Shanghai – which include bus journey there and sometimes a bit led strolling around, sometimes. If that matches your flavor it is, yet often less independent if that type of thing.

What Else Should you Look at While you are There?

Of course, Zhujiajiao in its own right is interesting and quite enough just to fill an afternoon. But should you have added spare time, there might be destinations nearby which could also be seen:

• Kezhi Garden: Basically, a peaceful yard and gardens which has an appealing combination from classic Chinese also Japanese patterns, you know.
• Shanghai Grand View Garden: Seemingly, a substantial garden based on the epic ‘Dream from the Red Chamber’ and you can actually just enjoy exploring its old type buildings in that case!

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