Long before the first trading house were built along the Bund,before the First fisheries began appearing on the banks of the Huangpu River,the early inhabitants of Zhujiajiao led a simple life that has drawn the interest of scholars and students alike.Local people are skilled a weaving straw and bamboo crafts,displayed in many shops on the narrow street.
Arched stone bridges spanning bubbling streams ,old streets paved with stone slabs,little boats sailing from door to door and women washing clothes with wooden clubs on the river, wandering in the ancient town of Zhujiajiang in shanghai’s southwestern Qing—Pu district,is like walking in a beautiful painting.While it is broadly similar to the better—known scenery of the canal town of Zhouzhuang in Jiangsu province,here are far fewer crowds and much greater natural beauty.
Although markets emerged here during the Song Dynasty (A.D 960—1279),the town was officially set up during the reign of Emperor Wanli(1573—1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368—1644).Covering an area of 47 square Kilometers,Zhujiajiao is crisscrossed by rivers and canals,and its nine narrow long streets..
Spanning the Caogang River in the east of the town is the most well—known 71—meter—long and 6—meter—wide five ----arch bridge ,built in 1571 in the town..Some pious Chinese,especially Buddhists,buy live fish from the market and set them free under the bridge.Vistors can emulate this kindness to animals by buying gold—fish from the bacins of vendors under the bridge.
A post office in the town is worth visiting because it is the best—preserved post office of the Qing Dynasty—era in the Shanghai region.Built in 1850, the ground floor looks almost the same as it did 150 years ago---a high dark red wooden counter and some chairs for clients, while the upper floor is an exhibitionhall,telling the history of the post office.
Most people are interested in the “old Shanghai” of the late19th and early 20th century ----a time when the city prosperered.But little is known about ancient Shanghai ,of the Liangzhu Culture period(3300----2200 B.C),during which Zhujiajiao became the most prosperous area of East China.
