Qibao means ‘seven treasures.’ Only 18km from People’s Square, it’s the most convenient introduction to Shanghai’s outlying water towns. Cynics will snort that Qibao is not a real village, but a touristy re-creation of the market that flourished on this site nearly 1,000 years ago. It’s a legitimate complaint, but Qibao’s architecture is traditional, if newly built, and the lively crowds crossing the 700-year-old bridge are genuinely Chinese. Many of the snacks for sale – such as preserved pork and glutinous rice – are old favorites, and the wine shop uses a time-honoured method to distill qibao daqu (seven treasures liquor) from sorghum and bran. A full glass is not for the faint of heart, although it appears to have few lasting ill effects.

No admission fee is required to dine or shop. A ¥45 ticket permits entrance to eight exhibits, including the bell tower, cricket house, cotton textile mill and a gallery of miniature carvings. It’s also possible to purchase separate tickets at each attraction.