Qibao Old Town, Historic water town in Minhang District, Shanghai, China

Qibao Old Town is a historic water town in Minhang District, Shanghai, China. It features traditional Chinese architecture with white walls, dark tiled roofs, wooden balconies, and stone bridges over canals, creating a scene typical of the Jiangnan region.

Qibao Old Town dates back over a thousand years, with its origins in the Song dynasty. It grew around a temple and became a commercial center during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and was restored and opened as a tourist attraction in 2000.

The name Qibao comes from a local temple and refers to seven treasures in folklore. Today, visitors can see some of these treasures, like the ancient bell, in the Bell Tower, and watch traditional shadow puppetry performances on Sundays.

The area is pedestrianized, so you can explore on foot without traffic. The streets are narrow and can get crowded, especially on weekends, so visiting on a weekday morning offers a more relaxed experience.

Qibao is known for its crickets, and there is a Cricket House where you can learn about this local tradition. The town is also the birthplace of Zhang Chongren, the sculptor who inspired the character Chang in The Adventures of Tintin.