Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town located in the Qingpu District of Shanghai, boasts a history stretching back over 1,700 years. Its earliest settlement emerged during the Three Kingdoms Period (220–280 CE), and the town began to take shape as a formal market town in the Song Dynasty (960–1279), flourishing into a bustling commercial hub by the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368–1912).

Strategically situated along the key waterways of the Yangtze Delta, Zhujiajiao thrived as a vital trading and transportation center. A crisscrossing network of rivers and canals earned it the nickname "Venice of Shanghai," while its stone bridges—such as the iconic Fangsheng Bridge, built in 1571—grand residences, and pavilions reflected the prosperity and refined culture of the era. Merchants, scholars, and artisans settled here, creating a blend of commerce, education, and traditional architecture.

For centuries, Zhujiajiao remained a vital link between Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangnan region, preserving its layout and lifestyle through dynastic changes. Today, it stands as one of the best-preserved ancient towns in the Shanghai area, retaining its authentic Jiangnan water-town charm, historic landmarks, and cultural heritage, offering a vivid window into the region’s past.