Qibao, Water town in Minhang District, Shanghai, China.
Qibao is a water town in Minhang with traditional Chinese buildings spanning several centuries arranged along a quiet river. Narrow cobbled lanes connect old residences, small shops, and several temples that visitors can explore on foot.
The settlement began as a small river port during the Northern Song Dynasty serving local trade routes. It grew into a prosperous trading hub over the following centuries, with many buildings from that period still standing today.
The Temple of the Seven Treasures remains the spiritual heart where locals make offerings to the town's guardian deity. Daily visitors burn incense and leave prayers, weaving religious practice into the rhythm of ordinary life in this place.
The place is best explored on foot since narrow lanes and stairs exclude cars and keep the atmosphere intact. Wear comfortable shoes, as the cobbled paths can be slippery, especially after rain.
Stone bridges here were built without mortar and have endured for centuries through precisely cut stones that interlock like gears. This ancient construction technique remains functional today and stands as a quiet testament to craftsmanship.
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