Nestled in south-central Pudong New Area, Xinchang Ancient Town was born from the sea. Over centuries, silt carried by the Yangtze River settled here, gradually forming new land that has been inhabited since the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It later flourished as a salt-field hub and a key commercial center, growing into a historic water town with a story spanning nearly 1,300 years.

Today, the town covers 53.86 square kilometers, with an ancient heritage zone of 1.48 sq km at its heart. Here, visitors find the largest and best-preserved collection of late-Qing (1644-1911) and early-Republic-of-China-era (1912-49) architecture in Pudong, forming a living neighborhood of traditional shops, homes, and canals.

What to see:

• A living architectural treasury: The core area features 68 ornate gateways, a 2-kilometer-long old street, 1.2 km of ancient stone riverbanks, four intersecting waterways, more than 20 stone bridges, and 17 saddle-shaped waterside steps.
• Rich intangible heritage: Xinchang is a cradle of folk art, home to two national-level intangible heritage practices: luogu shu (storytelling with drum and gong) and the Pudong school of pipa (four-stringed Chinese lute). It also preserves three municipal-level arts along with more than 80 other local traditions.
• A town that still breathes: Xinchang remains home to a large community of residents. Daily life, from language and food to festivals, customs, and social rhythms, continues to carry forward the cultural pulse that has animated the town for 13 centuries.

If you go

Where: No 128 Haiquan Street, Pudong New Area

Admission: Free entry; some attractions within the town charge a separate fee

(Updated on Dec 24, 2025)

Source: Pudong New Area government