Ancient city tour

Jiading in Shanghai is a place featuring unique ancient beauty and an enchanting modern look. When walking on Nanxiang Old Street, people feel as if they are in ancient times. Featuring Anting Old Street, the Shanghai International Automobile City shows its oriental charm. In appreciation of the past, while looking forward to the future, people can have a good time in Jiading.

Old style: Nanxiang Old Town

People can arrive at Nanxiang town by taking the first exit on the highway from the downtown area of Shanghai to Jiading.

Nanxiang Old Street

Nanxiang Old Street is a restored residential and commercial area, taking on a look featuring the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and early Republic of China (1912-1949) period. There are a string of corridors and pavilions along the river, with stone steles, inscribed tablets and couplets revealing the past glory of local celebrities and long history of the town.

Address: Renmin Road, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Open-ended scenic spot

Transportation: Take metro Line 11 to Nanxiang Station and transfer to Nanxiang bus Line 3.

Telephone number: 021-59125503

Yunxiang Temple

Nanxiang town got its name from this temple. The temple, once named Baihe Nanxiang Temple, was destroyed in a fire. Only the stones engraved with Buddhist scriptures from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in Guyi Garden, Putong Pagoda and the Twin Pagodas on Nanxiang Old Street from the Song Dynasty (960-1127) are still preserved. The temple was reconstructed in 2000.

Address: No 100, Renmin Street, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Nanxiang Twin Pagodas

Nanxiang Twin Pagodas, built in the Five Dynasties period (907-960), are the only pair of Buddhist twin pagodas and the only existing brick pagodas in the country. As a landmark of Nanxiang Old Town, the pagodas are also among the oldest pagodas in Shanghai. They are 11 meters high, with seven stories and octahedral sides. They also have perfect proportions and are typical of the architectural style of the Tang and Song dynasties.

Address: Renmin Street, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Open Scenic Spot

Tanyuan Garden

Tanyuan is the private classic garden of Li Liufang, a litterateur, calligrapher and painter of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He and Dong Qichang were among the nine great painters during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The garden was restored according to the existing records and poems of its owner. The two characters tan yuan above the gate are the handwriting of Li. The garden, with a gourd-shaped pond and winding corridors and bridges, features the typical garden style in Jiangnan (the region south of the Yangtze River).

Address: No 5, Huntang Alley, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Ticket price: 30 yuan

Nanxiang Historical and Cultural Museum

The museum exhibits local chronicles on the subjects of chronicle prologue, cultural relics and scenic spots, old streets and shops, local celebrities, and local specialties and customs. It has applied acoustic-optical devices to create a modern effect, where people can learn about the town throughout its history.

Address: No 260, Jiafang Street, Nanxiang town, Jiading district

Ticket price: 8 yuan

Useful tips

How to arrange a DIY tour in the old town

Since Nanxiang is an ideal place for travel on the weekend, visitors should go to Guyi Garden first and taste the delicious xiaolongbao (steamed buns), then spend the rest of their time at Nanxiang Old Street and Yunxiang Temple. For photography lovers and those interested in history, they can take a walk along Renmin Street, where they can experience a peaceful local life. They can also continue to walk to Shengli Street to enjoy the beautiful scenery featuring a Jiangnan water town.

Marketplace: Anting Old Street

Anting is a vibrant old town featuring both ancient and modern charm. Since the Ming Dynasty, it has been a populous and rich town in Jiangnan. Though the town has shifted its economic and cultural emphasis to the auto industry, the old street still preserves its old look.

Address: Xinyuan Road, Anting town, Jiading district (Junction of Xinyuan Road and Changji Road)

Open scenic spot

Transportation: Take metro Line 11 to Anting Station and transfer to Anting bus Line 4

Telephone number: 021-39542386

Yong'an Pagoda

There used to be a pagoda near the Antingjing River, which was destroyed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The reconstructed Yong’an Pagoda is towering and magnificent. Its name was given by Master Juexing, a Buddhist abbot of Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai. The pagoda is 52.88 meters high, with nine stories and hexagonal sides. It has an underground palace and a small room on the top, featuring the architectural style of the Song Dynasty.

Address: Anting Old Street, Anting town, Jiading district

Ticket price: 10 yuan (joint ticket) (temporarily closed to the public)

Telephone number: 021-39542386