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Qingnian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
A nearby ancient town in Shanghai
Situated in in Minhang District, Shanghai, Qibao Ancient Town is an ancient town about 15km south of Shanghai city. it is the closest water town to Shanghai The town is very small about two square kilometers in size and visitors can conveniently walk everywhere. It is crossed by two canals. Along the canals, there are a large number of traditional houses, restaurants and shops. Recently tourism has been actively encouraged and it makes a good daytrip from Shanghai city.
The formation of Qibao Ancient Town can be traced back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, to the Northern Song Dynasty. The name of the town comes from the local temple, "Qibao Temple".
The town offers a glimpse of traditional China, with buildings that have been refurbished offering museums, shops, restaurants, gardens, and tea houses.
Qibao Temple
Qibao Temple is located at the east of the town. The temple has been existed sine the forming of the town. So it owns a long history.
Qibao Distillery
Qibao Distillery is situated at the center of the city. it is an old factory that is used to make wine.
Qibao Old Street
Qibao Old Street is divided into the two sections: the southern street and the northern street. The south street features with local snack. It homes many delicious snacks all over China. The north street is given priority to with tourism souvenirs, including antiques, calligraphy and paintings. Qibao Old Street has become a busy street that combines leisure, tourism, shopping as a whole.
Qibao is known for its specialty in cuisine. It is home to one of the most popular food streets for Shanghainese. The cuisines here include pigs' trotters, stinky tofu, steamed stuffed buns, banana rice in bamboo tubes, lamb and rice wine, etc. Visitors may have a try to the local snacks while strolling at the street here. They will surprise you.
Bamboo Line Alley
At that time, there was a river in front of every house in Qibao Ancient Town, and bamboo was planted behind the house. There is a bamboo weaving workshop in the street of the town. The craftsmen specialize in producing bamboo weaving supplies for daily use. The villagers called it Bamboo Line Alley.
Xu Family Alley
Xu Family Alley is located in the North Street, where is the place that Xu Family lived for generations.
Antique Alley
Qibao Ancient Town is the place merchants gathered. Antiques trading was usually happened here. And it was named Antique Alley. It is also called Beigu Alley.
Spinning Wheel Alley
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qibao Ancient Town was abundant in cottons and the textile industry developed. The spinning and weaving machines were sold to Shanghai and other places, and it was called Spinning Wheel Alley. And now, it is also called South East Street.
Pawnshop Street
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the local cotton textile industry business developed were prosperous, and money houses and pawn came into being. The 100-meter-long street is full of money houses and pawns, hence the name. In the 1960s, it was renamed Fuqiang Street.
Bathhouse Street
The Bathhouse Street is named because there were bathrooms here in the period of the Republic of China in the street. And businessmen and villagers nearby visited the bathrooms, which was busy at that time.
South Street and North Street
South Street and North Street was the business center in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The South Street and North Street is 360 meters long, which starts in Fuqiang Street in the south and ends in Qingnian Road in the north. The South Street is called Snack Street and the North Street is called Small Commodity Street. There are many shops and stores at the South Street and North Street, where you can stroll around, admire the architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties and taste the local foods and snacks.
Bell Tower
The Bell Tower at the Qibao Ancient Town is the landmark of the ancient town. You can climb to the third floor to clang the bell and pray for blessings.
There are many ancient bridges at Qibao Ancient Town including Puhuitang Bridge, East Stone Bridge and West Stone Bridge. Visiting the Qibao Ancient Town, you can walk on the ancient bridges and overlook the river and the buildings on its both sides.
The best time to visit the Qibao Ancient Town will depend on the scenery and travel experience you prefer. In spring, you can stroll around the streets and lanes of the ancient town, enjoy the scenery of water town and enjoy the lush spring in Shanghai. In summer, you can take the boat at night to enjoy the night view of the ancient town. In autumn, you can enjoy the autumn leaves and the admire the architectures of the ancient town with the comfortable weather. In winter, though the weather is cold, Qibao Ancient Town provides peaceful and silent atmosphere. If you happen to visit the Qibao Ancient Town in the Spring Festival, you can experience the festival atmosphere here.
You may take Subway Line 9 and get off at Qibao Station, take exit 2 out of the station, walk towards the road junction and take a left turn. The entrance to Qibao ancient town is a huge gate, hard to miss. It takes approximately 30 minutes by metro from Shanghai downtown. Or you can take Bus 87, 91, 92 or 911 to get to the town.
Although Qibao can be touristy, prices are comparatively cheap.
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