Qibao Ancient Town (Qibao Town)

Qibao Ancient Town is a historical town with both the natural scenery of the water town in the south of the Yangtze River and the long cultural connotation. Situated in the southeast of Shanghai, it was founded in the Northern Song dynasty, it is 5 kilometers away from the downtown of Shanghai. You can not only enjoy the beautiful natural and historical scenery, but also try delicious local Shanghai food here.

“Qibao” means seven treasures in Chinese. A legend said that Qibao Ancient Town was famous for seven precious including golden lotus sutra, sacred trees, Tunlai bell, Feilai Buddha, golden chicken, jade chopsticks and jade axe. As an old saying goes, to know ten-year history of Shanghai in Pudong New Area; to know hundred-year history of Shanghai at the Bund; to know thousand-year history of Shanghai in Qibao Town. Especially the Qibao Old Street inside the town has retained the characteristics of water town in the metropolis, showing a new and simple cultural atmosphere, thus has become one of the essence scenic spot in Shanghai.

Qibao Ancient Town

Facts

- In Chinese: 七宝古镇

- Address: Qingnian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai

- Opening time: 09:00 – 18:00 (for the inside scenic spots)

- Best time to visit: day time

- Ticket price: free

What to See & What to Do?

Qibao is a small town, which dates back to the Northern Song dynasty. Easily reached from town, the ancient settlement prospered during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The small town is about two square kilometers in size which is crossed by two canals. Around the canals, a large number of traditional houses, gardens, temples, shops and restaurants which define the very character of the place can be found.

With a history spanning over one thousand years, Qibao is more than just a living fossil of ancient Chinese conurbation and urban planning. In the center of Qibao Ancient Town is the old street, which is said to best resemble the streets of old Shanghai. This old street is divided into two smaller two sections, the southern and western lesser streets. The southern part is filled with traditional restaurants serving a variety of tasty snacks. Different flavored cakes made from polished glutinous rice 'Qibaogao', dried bean curd wrapped in lotus leaves, roasted sweet potatoes, smoked toads, and sugar coated haws on sticks can be found on every corner in the southern street.

Qibao Ancient Town

The western streets are occupied by old shops selling arts and crafts, antiques and calligraphy works. In this part, you can see the Qibao Pharmaceutical stores dating back around 1,000 years, some fine tea houses and Shadow Play Opera theaters. The Qibao Shadow Play performs mainly entertainments based on widely-known historical events with the local dialect, thus giving the shows a truly local character. The plays are performed using colorful drawings and expressive music to illustrate the emotions of the characters.

Main scenic spots

1. Qibao Wine Workshop. It set the traditional brewing process, let people catch a glance. And set a series of produced wine, dazzling, eye-opening.

2. Cotton Textile Display Hall. The exhibition focuses on planting, harvesting, spinning, weaving and dyeing, and introduces Qibao Town's brilliant cotton textile industry in the past. And set up "Xitang", to showcase the Qibao wedding custom scene of Ming dynasty, allowing visitors participate in simulated wedding activities.

3. Zhang Chongren Memorial Hall. The building is in the style of Qiangzoumalou of Qing dynasty, and shows more than 20 representative sculptures of Zhang Chongren in six halls.

4. Cricket Cottage. Shanghai cricket culture has deep roots. Cricket Cottage hall collection cricket specimen, equipment, the process of catching, raising and fighting.

Qibao Ancient Town

5. Qibao Pawnshop. Qing daoguang years, the pawnshop here had quite a large scale, had become an important place for financial activities. The exhibition recreates the scene of the traditional pawnshop, simulates the operation activities of the pawnshop, and displays the commercial culture of the Qibao Ancient Town.

Qibao Ancient Town is a good place to explore Shanghai's grand past. A day spent in this unique and historic town will be very rewarding and is highly recommended. It can satisfy your curiosity about ancient water townships without the bother of either long distance or the rush of crowds.

How to Get There?

Metro Line 9 can take you to Qibao Station, walking about 10 minutes to get there.

And Bus 803, 513, 87, 91 and 92 will drive to there.


More Attractions in Shanghai

  • Shanghai Disneyland
  • Shanghai Acrobatic Shows
  • Zhujiajiao
  • M50 Creative Park (M50 Art District)
  • Temple of the Town God (Chenghuang Miao)
  • Yu Garden
  • Xintiandi