Fengjing Town (枫泾古镇) was officially established during the Song Dynasty and developed as a town during the Yuan Dynasty, making it a historically significant ancient town. It still retains well-preserved historical architecture including Peace Street, Production Street, North Street, and Friendship Street, covering a total area of 48,750 square meters. It is one of the largest and best-preserved water towns in the Shanghai region.
Fengjing Ancient Town is divided into two major scenic areas: the Ancient Town Scenic Area and the Chinese Peasant Painting Village Scenic Area. The Ancient Town Scenic Area includes several attractions such as Wuyue Square, Jinpu Residence, Zhihe Bridge Scenic Area, Fengxi Long Corridor, Dingti Workshop, Zhu Xuefan Memorial Hall, Sanqiao Square, Sanbai Garden, the People’s Commune Site, Cheng Shifa’s Ancestral Home, and Ding Cong’s Cartoon Exhibition Hall.
Fengjing is known for its vibrant folk activities, with popular and well-loved traditions including lantern riddles, stilt walking, rice planting songs, folk tunes, and storytelling, with storytelling being particularly widespread. Fengjing has a long-standing team dedicated to storytelling and creation, producing and performing numerous stories each year, which are highly appreciated by locals and visitors.
Every year during the lunar New Year period, the town hosts a Lantern Riddle Art Festival. In late September, there is also a unique water town wedding ceremony known as the Wu and Yue Corner Water Town Wedding.
Travel Information about Fengjing Ancient Town
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets: General admission ¥50
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Fengjing Ancient Town is from March to May when the weather is pleasant, with warm spring breezes and blooming flowers, perfect for an outdoor excursion. Additionally, late September to November, with its crisp autumn air, is also an excellent time to visit.
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: No. 28, Lane 8588, Tingfeng Road, Jinshan District
Public Transport: Take Metro Line 1 from downtown Shanghai and get off at Jinjiang Park Station, then head to the Southwest Bus Station and take the Quanmei Line (all expressway, about 45 minutes) directly to Fengjing.
Shuttle Bus: There are direct shuttle buses to the scenic area daily from Shanghai Tourists Distribution Center at Shanghai Stadium and Hongkou Football Stadium.
By Car: Drive along the Hukun Expressway G60 (formerly Huhang A8) and take the Fengjing exit or the Shenjiahu Expressway A32 and exit at Zhufeng Road to reach the parking lot of Fengjing Ancient Town.
Scenic Rating
- Romance: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Distinctiveness: ★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★★★
Highlights of Fengjing Ancient Town
Wuyue Square
Wuyue Square is the main entrance to Fengjing and features a Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural style with distinct Wu and Yue cultural characteristics. The buildings incorporate traditional elements of ancient towns and the architectural features of large Jiangnan family courtyards, creating a grand and elegant atmosphere.
The scenic area boasts charming features such as small bridges, flowing water, and lush greenery including peach blossoms and willows. The clever design of rockeries, strange stones, and bonsai is complemented by trees like camphor, red maple, magnolia, osmanthus, pine, and bamboo, creating a welcoming and graceful environment.
Fengjing Ancient Bridge Cluster
Fengjing is a typical Jiangnan water town, renowned for its description, “three steps, two bridges; a glance reveals ten ports.” The town boasts 52 bridges, including the 700-year-old Zhihe Bridge from the Yuan Dynasty, as well as the Ming Dynasty’s Jiyun Bridge and Yanggong Bridge, which together form the 700-year-old “Bridge Road” of Fengjing.
The town features three notable bridges: Qingfeng Bridge, Beifeng Bridge, and Zhuxing Bridge, which together exemplify the distinctive charm of Jiangnan water towns. Historically, Fengjing’s South Town had a Pavilion of Observing Bridges, from which visitors could see three bridges in one direction, and nine bridges when looking from multiple viewpoints, earning it the description, “One glance, three bridges; three glances, nine bridges.”
To the north of the town is Shanghai’s largest clothing discount center — Shanghai Clothing City, which is worth visiting. Additionally, the North Street of the ancient town features workshops where traditional craftsmanship is demonstrated. Visitors can see ancient techniques for weaving, ironworking, medicine-making, and bamboo and woodcraft. There are also opportunities to try making small items like bamboo tubes, iron shovels, small hoes, cloth shoes, and cotton headscarves.
Sanbai Garden
Sanbai Garden originally belonged to Chen Shunyu, a well-educated scholar known for his poetry and painting. He had close relationships with prominent figures such as Ouyang Xiu, Su Dongpo, and Sima Guang, frequently engaging in drinking, poetry, and philosophical conversations with them. This three-entrance, three-courtyard residence reflects Chen Shunyu’s significant achievements and the challenges he faced throughout his life.
The garden is named “Sanbai Garden” (Three Hundred Garden) because it houses over 300 exhibits, including representative items such as lanterns, baskets, and other artifacts. Each building in the garden mirrors his arduous history as an official. Chen Shunyu, also known as Bai Niu Jushi, held high office in the court but maintained an upright and honest character. Disapproving of some corrupt practices within the court, he resigned several times and eventually retired to his hometown. After his death, Sima Guang wrote a memorial poem in his honor.
Cheng Shifa’s Ancestral Home
Cheng Shifa (1921–2007) was a renowned master of Shanghai-style painting in China, distinguished for his work in figure painting and floral and bird subjects. He was also accomplished in comic strips, New Year paintings, illustrations, and other artistic forms. Cheng Shifa’s ancestral home is located at No. 151 Peace Street.
The ancestral home has been restored to reflect the environment in which Cheng Shifa’s grandfather and father practiced medicine, including their clinic and hall. It also features Cheng Shifa’s bedroom, complete with a carved bed and a dressing table. Additionally, the home displays some of Cheng Shifa’s paintings and various tools related to his life and creative work.
Ding Cong Comic Museum
The Ding Cong Comic Museum is located at No. 421 North Street of the ancient town. Upon entering the main gate, visitors are greeted by a courtyard adorned with ancient ginkgo trees, crape myrtles, banana plants, osmanthus, and wax plums, creating a refreshing and elegant atmosphere.
The museum features seven halls and two rooms: the “Preface Hall,” “Life Introduction Hall,” “Satire and Humor Hall,” “Ancient and Modern Fun Collection Hall,” “Classic Illustrations Hall,” “Portrait Hall,” and the “Ding Song Works Hall” dedicated to his father. It also includes a “Video Room” and a “Souvenir Shop.” The museum displays over 120 representative works from Ding Cong’s various periods.
Ding Cong (1916–2009), also known as Xiao Ding, was a renowned Chinese cartoonist born in Shanghai and originally from Fengjing Town, Jinshan District. He excelled in cartoons and illustrations. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he worked in Hong Kong and the southwestern rear areas, engaging in magazine editing, stage art design, teaching, and creating anti-war propaganda art. He also participated in multiple exhibitions with his cartoons. Ding Cong edited magazines such as “Liangyou,” “Dadi,” and “Today’s China” in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Later, he worked on stage art design in Chongqing and Chengdu and created works like “Illustrations for the True Story of Ah Q” and “Phenomenon Maps.”
Jinshan Farmer Painting Village
Jinshan Farmer Painting Village is located about 5 kilometers north of Fengjing Ancient Town, covering an area of over 130,000 square meters. It features attractions such as Danqing Family, Water Village, Fengjing Family, Vegetable Garden Family, and Rice Aroma Family. Visitors can enjoy activities such as viewing and purchasing paintings, exploring rural scenery, experiencing farm life, attending business meetings, dining, accommodation, entertainment, and fishing.
Fengjing is renowned for its cultural development and is the birthplace of Jinshan Farmer Paintings. This form of folk art, along with Ding Cong’s cartoons, Cheng Shifa’s traditional Chinese paintings, and Gu Shui-ru’s Go, collectively known as the “Three Paintings and One Chess,” represents a significant cultural phenomenon unique to Fengjing and holds considerable influence both domestically and internationally.
Visitor Guide for Fengjing Ancient Town
Boat Tour
Visitors can take a boat tour to explore the town, with docking points at the entrance of Sanbai Garden (Peace Street), Jin Yu Residence, Wu Nao Wo Li General Store (Production Street), and Ding Cong Comic Museum (North Street).
Boat Fee:
- Cost: 120 yuan per boat
- Capacity: Up to 6 people
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Accommodation Options
Fengjing Ancient Town offers a variety of lodging options, including several hotels and one inn.
Hefeng Xiyu · Water Village Leisure Garden: Located within the China Farmer Painting Village, this garden features 10 water villa suites and a water restaurant. The area is also equipped with water recreational facilities such as boats, bamboo rafts, and space balls.
Jin Huangchao Luxury Hotel: This hotel is designed in a European style and offers over 20 standard rooms, 20 single rooms, and several deluxe suites. Address: 128 Jingbo Road, Fengjing Town.
Yibai Hotel: Address: 203 Xinjing Road, Fengjing Town. Phone: 021-67352100
Fengjing Holiday Inn: Address: 25 Jingbo Road, Jinshan District.
Food Options
Fengjing Ancient Town is renowned for its culinary delights, earning the nickname “Food Town.” The local food scene is vibrant and varied throughout the year with seasonal specialties. The saying goes, “In January, eat river snails; in February, clams; in March, the fat is on the soft-shelled turtles; in April, eat yellow eels; in May, enjoy fried pork; in June, try the red bellies; in July, savor four-cheeked bass; in August, eels; in September, crabs; and in October, silvery fish; in November and December, enjoy crucian carp.” Each season brings fresh and delicious dishes
Fengjing’s Four Treasures: Dingti (Braised Pork Shank), Tianxiang Tofu Dried, Fengjing Top Scholar Cake, and Jin Feng Yellow Wine.
Other notable dishes include: Smoked Fried Pork, Steamed Eel with Vegetable Seasoning, Wu-Yue Tofu, Pepper-Salt Silvery Fish, Pickled Vegetable Wontons, Tofu Skins Wrapped with Meat, Stone Mill Shrimp Cakes, and Fresh Meat Lotus Root Sticks.
These delicacies can be enjoyed on the 300-meter-long Qianxi Changlang Snack Street, where a variety of local street food awaits.