Grandma’s Teahouse
Grandma’s Teahouse, also known as Dongjing Teahouse due to its location at No. 122 Dongjing Street, was built in the late Qing dynasty. Originally serving as a shop for Dagongyi Rice Firm, it was later converted into a teahouse. Covering an area of 700 square meters, the building faces north with a traditional brick-and-wood structure. It consists of two sections, front and rear, connected on the east and west sides.
The south building spans three bays, measuring 10.5 meters wide and 8 meters deep, with seven beams supporting a hipped roof covered in small blue tiles. Each room on the two floors facing south features six flower lattice windows inset with glass panes, while the north side boasts a delicately carved brick ceremonial gate. The north building measures 10.5 meters wide and 5.1 meters deep, with five beams and a gabled roof. Both sides are equipped with Guanyin-style firewalls and corridors at the front and rear adorned with palace-style hanging decorations.
The teahouse’s square layout, whitewashed walls with dark eaves, and gracefully upturned roof corners make it a quintessential example of Ming and Qing architecture. Located at the junction of the “golden waterway” Caogang River and Xijing Lane, it is surrounded by water on three sides and serves as the first scenic landmark visitors see when entering Zhujiajiao Ancient Town from the northeast entrance. From the viewing platform on the second floor, guests can enjoy sweeping views: Fangsheng Bridge to the east, Caogang River straight ahead, and Yuanjin Zen Temple to the west. As night falls and lanterns illuminate the scene, the reflections of the ancient town on the water create a truly poetic and picturesque sight.
On the afternoon of May 14, 1949, during the liberation of Zhujiajiao, Chi Haotian, the Chief Commander of Company 7, Regiment 235, 79th Division, 27th Army of the Third Field Army, chose this modest teahouse at No. 122 Dongjing Street as a temporary command post. From here, he directed his troops in pursuing retreating enemy forces. Wherever the People’s Liberation Army passed through the ancient town, they upheld strict discipline, respected the locals, and refrained from taking even a needle or thread from the people—winning their heartfelt admiration.
Years later, Chi Haotian, by then Minister of National Defense, revisited Zhujiajiao during the Spring Festival of 1993. Overcome with emotion, he penned the inscription: “Revitalize Zhujiajiao, and let the ancient town shine anew.”
In recent years, the teahouse has flourished thanks to visits from notable figures. President Vladimir Putin and his wife, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his wife Wang Yeping, Taiwanese scholar and writer Li Ao, former Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan and his wife, and renowned author Sanmao all expressed great admiration for this historic teahouse.
As we continue east along Dongjing Street, we will soon encounter a spectacular bridge—a magnificent structure spanning the broad Dianpu River and linking the ancient town’s north and south. In the past, this bridge was the main thoroughfare connecting Kunshan and Qingpu. What makes it so extraordinary? Let’s step onto this “Number One Bridge of Shanghai” and find out.
