Jiading is a place of exquisite natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, earning a reputation as a renowned Jiangnan city. The town features the Song Dynasty Fahua Pagoda, from which you can ascend to enjoy panoramic views of the entire city. By the lakeside stands the impressive Kuixing Pavilion with its ornate eaves, while the lush trees on the mountain summit complement the nearby Siyi Pavilion and Confucian Temple. To the east of the city, Qiuxia Garden centers around a clear pond, surrounded by rocky hills and ancient trees, showcasing unique garden artistry. The ancient city is dotted with charming bridges and flowing waters, and its residential streets and alleys retain the traditional character of an old town, creating picturesque scenes filled with local flavor.
Travel Information about Jiading Old Town
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Tickets: Qiuxia Garden is ¥10, and Huilongtan is ¥5.
Opening Hours: Qiuxia Garden is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Huilongtan is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (tickets stop being sold at 4:30 PM).
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: Located in the old town center of Jiading District, northwest of Shanghai.
How to Get There: Take Metro Line 11 and get off at Jiading West Station; the old town is within walking distance.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★☆
- Romance: ★★★★☆
- Distinctive Features: ★★★★☆
- Leisure: ★★★★☆
- Excitement: ★★★
Highlights of Jiading Old Town
Jiading Ancient City Wall & Zhouqiao Old Street
The Jiading Ancient City Wall, located along the Jiading moat, was originally constructed during the Song Dynasty. The surviving section of the wall is approximately 240 meters long and 3 meters wide, divided into the South Gate and West Gate sections. It is the longest and most intact ancient city wall within Shanghai, witnessing significant historical events such as the “Three Slaughters of Jiading” and resistance against Japanese pirates.
Zhouqiao Old Street, situated in the heart of the town, boasts a collection of ancient towers, old temples, and renowned gardens from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, earning it the title “Root of Jiading.” This bustling historic district is a popular area for visitors and serves as a key access point to famous landmarks like the Confucian Temple, Huilongtan, and Qiuxia Garden.
Fahua Pagoda & Bamboo Carving Museum
Fahua Pagoda, also known as Jinsha Pagoda, stands majestically in the bustling streets of Jiading without any adjacent temple or shrine. Constructed during the Southern Song Dynasty (1205–1207), the pagoda has undergone various restorations over the centuries. Each level of the pagoda is equipped with stairs, allowing visitors to ascend and enjoy panoramic views of the city. The winding river, deep alleys, and the quaint, antique buildings around the pagoda contribute to the charm of Jiading.
In January 1996, during the excavation of the pagoda’s underground chamber, precious artifacts from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties were discovered, including Buddha statues, books, ancient coins, and jade artifacts.
The Bamboo Carving Museum, located in a villa in Jiading, leverages its collection of cultural relics to showcase the history, cultural significance, and artistic value of Jiading bamboo carving. This art form, which began in the late Ming Dynasty, was pioneered by the Jiading native Zhu Hezu and his descendants over 400 years ago. Known for its deep relief and pierced carving, Jiading bamboo carving was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in May 2006.
Confucius Temple & Huilongtan Park
The Jiading Confucius Temple was founded in the 12th year of the Southern Song Dynasty’s Jiading era (1219). The temple features three stone archways, each adorned with intricately carved stone columns and 72 unique stone lions, symbolizing Confucius’s 72 disciples. Along the central axis with the “Yanggao” archway, visitors will find the Lingsheng Gate, Panchi Bridge, Dacheng Gate, and the Dacheng Hall. The Dacheng Hall is the primary hall for Confucius rituals, while the Minglun Hall to the east of Dacheng Hall was historically used for teaching and resolving doubts.
Exiting the Confucius Temple and crossing the Song Dynasty Bingxing Bridge leads to Huilongtan Park. The Huilongtan (Gathering Dragon Pond) was dredged in the 16th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era (1588). It is named “Huilongtan” because five rivers converge here, resembling five dragons stretching out. The Kui Xing Pavilion and Zhuangyuan Bell Tower near the pond complement the Confucius Temple’s archways, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene. The park also features memorials for distinguished figures like Ming Dynasty loyalists Hou Tongzhen and Huang Chunyu. Stone pavilions, towers, and wells from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties are well-preserved, adding to the park’s historical charm.
Related Details:
- In the Jiading Confucius Temple’s stele corridor, there are preserved large-character steles of Zhu Xi, a renowned philosopher and educator of the Song Dynasty, and stone inscriptions of the “Four Scholars of Jiading,” all of which hold significant artistic value.
- Within the Jiading Confucius Temple, there is a century-old peony, and the garden also features fragrant osmanthus trees. Thus, visitors can enjoy the peonies in spring and the osmanthus fragrance in autumn.
- The Confucius Temple houses the only specialized examination museum in China and abroad—the Imperial Examination Museum. It provides a comprehensive display of the history of the imperial examination system through five sections: the evolution of the examination system, the examination and Confucianism, the examination and social civilization, the examination procedures, and the examination and education, featuring over 1,000 artifacts and historical materials.
Qiu Xia Pu & Lu Yanshao Art Museum
Qiu Xia Pu, established in the 15th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1502), was originally the private garden of Gong Hong, the Minister of Works during the Ming Dynasty. It is now one of Shanghai’s five famous ancient gardens. The garden features a central clear water pond surrounded by rocks and ancient trees, showcasing unique classical garden design. A notable highlight within the Taohua Pond scenic area is the grass hut on the pond, which is praised as “more tranquil than the ten-mile West Lake.”
The Lu Yanshao Art Museum, founded on June 26, 1999, to celebrate the 90th birthday of Mr. Lu Yanshao, covers over 4,000 square meters and is styled as a traditional Chinese garden courtyard. It is divided into two sections: the East Building and the West Building. The East Building displays Lu Yanshao’s original calligraphy and paintings, along with his literary artifacts, images of art activities, manuscripts, and albums. The West Building serves as a small exhibition hall, salon, and training center. Visitors might also see exhibitions of works by young artists and participate in calligraphy and painting-related events and exhibitions.
Lu Yanshao (1909–1993), a native of Nanxiang Town in Jiading District, was a distinguished figure in contemporary landscape painting in China. Renowned for his calligraphy and poetry as well, he is celebrated as one of the eminent literati painters of the contemporary art world, often compared with Li Keran as “Southern Lu and Northern Li.” The museum’s collection includes 75 of Lu Yanshao’s masterpiece works.
Visitor Guide for Jiading Old Town
Accommodation Options
In the vicinity of Jiading Old Town, there are various hotels and inns to suit different preferences and budgets:
- Shanghai Jiading Villa Garden Hotel (Address: No. 321, Nan Street, Jiading District, Shanghai)
- He Yi Hotel (Address: No. 201, Qinghe Road, Jiading District, Shanghai)
- Jinjiang Inn (Address: No. 197, Chengzhong Road, Jiading District, Shanghai)
Food Options
Jiading Old Town boasts a variety of unique local snacks with distinct flavors:
- Kao Qiaoguo: A traditional snack with a crispy texture and rich filling, often enjoyed during festive occasions.
- Bao Zongzi: Glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, symbolizing success in imperial examinations.
- Ding Sheng Gao: Steamed rice cakes that are associated with academic success and traditional celebrations.
- Chao Bian Gao: Pan-fried rice cakes with a delightful texture and taste.
Jiading Old Town One-Day Tour
Morning:
- Zhouqiao Scenic Area: Arrive in the morning and start by visiting the Jiading Confucian Temple and the unique Imperial Examination Museum, the only one of its kind in China.
- Huilongtan Park: After exploring the temple and museum, walk over to Huilongtan Park. Enjoy the serene environment and scenic spots like the Kui Xing Pavilion and the Scholar’s Bell Tower.
- Jiading Villa and Bamboo Carving Museum: Stroll for about 5 minutes to reach Jiading Villa and the Bamboo Carving Museum. Explore the intricate bamboo carvings and learn about this traditional art form.
- Fahua Tower: After the museum, climb Fahua Tower for a panoramic view of Jiading Old Town. The tower also features an exhibition room dedicated to the life of Chinese diplomat Gu Weijun.
Afternoon:
- Qiu Xia Pu: Visit Qiu Xia Pu, a charming classical garden known for its elegant design and unique features.
- Lu Yanshao Art Museum: Finish the tour at the Lu Yanshao Art Museum, where you can appreciate the masterpieces of this renowned artist.