Situated in the expansive southwestern suburbs of the city, this haven of quiet retreat is anchored by the cobblestone streets of a faux-English market town and the massive, floating roofs of the Guangfulin Relics Park. Within a short drive, you can see architectural marvels ranging from a meticulously replicated Gothic cathedral and Tudor-style pubs to submerged, ultra-modern museums rising from a tranquil lake. Stop for an artisanal flat white inside a striking, labyrinthine bookstore, browse independent galleries housed in faux-Victorian terraces, and sample local Shanghainese farm-to-table dining on the district's rural fringes. Saunter past classic red British telephone boxes and bronze statues of Winston Churchill to watch dozens of couples posing for elaborate wedding photos. Take a break from the surreal architectural simulation with a quiet hike through the bamboo forests of Sheshan National Forest Park, topped by a historic 19th-century basilica and observatory.
Don't Miss
- Getting lost in the mesmerizing, mirror-ceilinged interior of Zhongshuge, widely hailed as one of the most beautiful and architecturally stunning bookstores in China.
- Exploring the underwater galleries of the Guangfulin Relics Park, an awe-inspiring museum complex built directly into a lake that explores the region's neolithic origins.
- Riding the sleek, modern Songjiang Tram network, which glides smoothly through the university towns and leafy suburban avenues.
How to Get There
While located well outside the downtown core, Songjiang is effortlessly connected to the city via the Shanghai Metro system.
Take the scenic, elevated Line 9 to Songjiang New City Station. From there, you can hop into a quick taxi, or better yet, board the modern Songjiang Tram (Silkworm) which weaves directly through the district’s wide, master-planned avenues.
Quick Facts
- Completed in 2006, Thames Town was the flagship project of Shanghai's ambitious "One City, Nine Towns" initiative, which saw suburbs themed after English, German, Spanish, and Scandinavian architecture.
- Songjiang is historically recognized as the "Root of Shanghai," possessing a rich cultural history and archaeological footprint that predates the downtown Bund area by thousands of years.
- At the peak of Sheshan Hill sits the Sheshan Minor Basilica, a stunning Roman Catholic church built by French Jesuits in the late 19th century.
Home to Shanghai's most surreal architectural experiment
Since the early 2000s, when urban planners decided to alleviate downtown density by building themed satellite cities, Thames Town has been an enclave long synonymous with cinematic escapism and architectural curiosity. From the area's imported cobblestones to the groundbreaking, if slightly bizarre, dedication to British pastiche, the district's love of replication sees it serve as a living, breathing set piece.
The town's uncanny resemblance to a quiet English village has been featured throughout global media as a fascinating study in urban development. And while its original intention as a bustling residential hub didn't quite pan out, the district hasn't been forgotten, transforming instead into the undisputed capital of China's booming wedding photography industry.
The Cobblestone Streets—navigating a slice of faux-Britain
The pedestrian-friendly market square is Thames Town's main circulatory artery. Stepping out of a taxi, you'll immediately see a network of winding lanes flanked by half-timbered Tudor houses, Georgian terraces, and a towering, fictionalized English church.
Jam-packed with professional photographers, curious weekenders, and local students from the nearby university town, the streets are a fascinating melting pot of surreal European aesthetics and relaxed Chinese suburban life that's sure to give you a highly photogenic, entirely unique perspective on Shanghai.
Satisfy your craving for quiet cafe culture
While the architecture screams traditional pub fare, the actual dining scene in Thames Town caters heavily to modern Chinese leisure. A must-do for visitors to the area is securing a window seat in one of the many independent, boutique cafes scattered throughout the Victorian terraces. Whether you're after a delicate slice of matcha crepe cake or a meticulously poured drip coffee, there's something to satisfy every quiet afternoon craving.
These cozy, design-led cafes are essentially the town's hospitality staple, and you can't leave without finding a sun-drenched patio to sip a latte while watching brides in elaborate gowns pose against the faux-brick facades.
A paradise for literary lifestyle and weekend escapism
Thames Town is arguably Shanghai's most relaxed weekend retreat, and what's a suburban getaway without a touch of slow living? No matter your aesthetic, you can find a curated, peaceful afternoon in this quiet enclave.
The undisputed cultural anchor of the area is the Zhongshuge bookstore. Blending classical English exterior architecture with an incredibly avant-garde, labyrinthine interior, it offers a breathtaking retail experience. If you're hoping for a broader mix of leisure, the surrounding Songjiang district boasts massive shopping complexes, sprawling golf courses, and the stunning Chenshan Botanical Garden, famous for its massive greenhouse biomes built into an abandoned quarry.
Taking to the ancient roots
Thanks to its global reputation as an architectural oddity, the main square of Thames Town is a popular curiosity. Though the atmosphere here is highly entertaining, if you really want to immerse yourself in the authentic, profound history of the Songjiang district, don't be afraid to leave the faux-Europe behind.
If you take a short drive north to the Guangfulin Relics Park, you'll find a sprawling network of striking, traditional Chinese rooftops that appear to float on the surface of a vast lake. Stepping down into this submerged, highly atmospheric museum offers a breathtaking, sobering contrast to Thames Town, transporting you 4,000 years into the past to discover the true, ancient origins of the land that modern Shanghai is built upon.
