Nestled on the outskirts of Shanghai, Chuansha Ancient Town may seem unassuming at first glance, but its understated beauty and rich historical significance make it a gem waiting to be discovered.

Unlike its more renowned counterparts, this ancient town offers a serene escape from the bustling city center, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its well-preserved streets, courtyards, and cultural landmarks to savor its timeless allure and storied past.

1. Winding alleyways and historical treasures

The narrow, winding lanes of the ancient town, particularly the southern Nanshi Street and central Zhongshi Street, form the heart of commercial activities. Meanwhile, the northern Beishi Street exudes a strong cultural and artistic ambiance. Each weathered traditional residence and historical relic narrates profound tales of the town's bygone eras.

Strolling along the mottled cobblestone paths allows visitors to absorb the town's enduring charm. Notably, the Chuansha Artisan Pavilion, located on Beishi Street, showcases exquisite and unparalleled works of art, presenting the town's historical and cultural heritage in a modern light.

Among the town's most renowned ancient structures is the "Neishi Mansion", which was once home to a myriad of cultural luminaries and was celebrated for its rich collection of historical artifacts.

Chuansha Artisan Pavilion

Address: No 19 Beishi Street, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

Huang Yanpei's Former Residence

Address: No 218 Xinchuan Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

2. Chuansha Ancient City Wall Park

Situated on Xinchuan Road, the elegant Chuansha Ancient City Wall Park stands as a testament to history, boasting a well-preserved section of a 60-meter-long Ming Dynasty city wall built to repel invasions.

As visitors stroll along the eastern path, they can behold the entirety of the ancient city wall. Notably, the southeastern section of the wall is adorned with the Kui Xing and the Yuebei pavilions, making it a focal point for historical relics within the ancient town.

Chuansha Ancient City Wall Park

Address: No 171 Xinchuan Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

3. Chuansha Park

While pavilions and towers are not uncommon in parks, Chuansha Park's He Ming Tower often leaves visitors in awe.

This structure, inspired by an ancient poem in Shijing, or The Book of Songs, stands 54 meters tall with five towers and seven stories, covering an area of 4,200 square meters, bearing a striking resemblance to the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei province.

Chuansha Park

Address: No 411 Chengnan Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

4. Former Site of Chuansha Station of the Shangchuan Railway

The Shangchuan Railway was Shanghai's first commercial light rail. In 1921, with the support of figures such as Huang Yanpei and Zhang Zhihe, the Shangchuan Transportation Company was established, laying tracks from Qingning Temple to Chuansha.

In 2010, due to the construction of the Huaxia Elevated Road, the original site of the Chuansha Station was demolished. It is a testament to transportation and architectural history in Pudong.

Former Site of Chuansha Station of Shangchuan Railway

Address: No 2696 East Huaxia Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

5. Daqiao Shushi (Cooked Food) Shop

For over 35 years, Daqiao Shushi Shop on Xinde Road has been a local culinary icon. A line from the hit Chinese TV series Blossoms Shanghai stating "for chicken feet, it has to be Chuansha's" has drawn impressive queues of customers outside the shop.

Daqiao Shushi Shop

Address: No 595 Xinde Road, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area

Sources: "shanghaitourism", "mingzhenchuansha", "pdnews" WeChat accounts