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This high-end villa area is modeled after the Thames in the UK. The architecture is very distinctive, and each block has a different appearance. It is a large community that combines living, tourism and leisure.
There is a church in the town, lake views and a yacht marina to the east, and a small train to tour the town.
The town proposes the concept of a creative industry cluster based on the existing foundation. Here, you can watch various art exhibitions, sculpture, photography, paper cutting, calligraphy, and various creative industries take root.
Attraction Location: Songjiang District, Shanghai, China (中国上海市松江区)
History: Thames Town was developed in the early 2000s as part of Shanghai’s “One City, Nine Towns” initiative, designed to bring international-style themed towns to different districts. Thames Town was built with a British theme, inspired by the architecture of classic English towns and the riverside charm of London’s Thames River.
Architecture: The town features red-brick buildings, cobblestone streets, Victorian-style lamp posts, and a miniature version of the famous London clock tower. It has canals, footbridges, and churches that mimic traditional English town planning, making it very photogenic.
Cultural Value: Thames Town serves as a cultural and architectural experiment showcasing Western influences in Chinese urban design. It is particularly popular for photography, weddings, and romantic strolls, reflecting a mix of global and local aesthetic tastes.
Other Information: The town is largely residential and commercial, but visitors mostly come for sightseeing, photography, and exploring boutique shops and cafes.
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours, best visited during daylight for photography
Ticket Price: Free entry
Best Photo Spots: Miniature London Clock Tower (小伦敦钟楼)
Canals and pedestrian bridges (运河及人行桥)
Red-brick streets and boutique shops (红砖街道与精品店)
St. George’s Church replica (圣乔治教堂)
Time Reference: Allow 1–3 hours depending on your pace; sunset provides excellent lighting for photos
The Thames Town design leverages Songjiang's favorable ecological environment, incorporating the charm and residential features of a British town along the Thames River. The design strives for optimal harmony between man and nature, embodying Songjiang New Town's strong sense of modernity, internationality, eco-friendliness, and tourism culture. A naturally flowing road system and a graceful river channel organically integrate to form the backbone of the overall development. A continuous multifunctional pedestrian street and a lakeside English-style plaza form the masterplan's central axis, providing a welcoming space for residents and visitors to gather, perform, relax, and socialize. The diverse and engaging design creates an overall atmosphere imbued with a sense of life and joy.
Thames Town is a breath of fresh air in Shanghai. I visited it in 2007 and it was supposedly modeled after the English town of Thames Town. Since it was newly built, everything was still incomplete and almost deserted, with 90% of the visitors coming for wedding photos. In 2008, my husband and I chose to have our wedding photos taken here. The photos turned out amazing! The photographer was also fantastic! Ten years later, I returned in 2018. While the European-style architecture remains unchanged, the surrounding services have been significantly improved. It's now quite popular, with villas, shops, restaurants, educational institutions, and more. In spring and summer, it's truly relaxing to sit in the open-air cafes, basking in the sun and chatting with friends. It feels just like being in Europe.
The only bad thing is that the cathedral used to be open and there was a whole green lawn outside, but now it is surrounded by iron railings, which somewhat destroys the atmosphere.
It seems that overnight, the suburbs of Chinese cities have begun to build these replicas of European towns, but they are also bionic urban buildings. I wandered aimlessly here and spent my weekend on a business trip. I did enjoy the maple leaves and ginkgo trees that had not yet withered, which made up for a small regret.
The city has a mix of British and European styles, with a cathedral, a small river running through the city, red walls and white tiles, cobblestone streets, and narrow, winding stairs. It was the filming location for the movie "Tiny Times." During holidays, wedding photography is popular here, especially near the church. You can also stop by Zhongshuge for a quiet read. — May Day 2017 Travelogue
It has a very European style and is suitable for a leisurely stroll. The supporting facilities of the entire town are also quite good.
It is a base for wedding photography. The buildings inside are very beautiful, including a cathedral and a beautiful lake.
It's basically a residential area, so you don't need to spend a lot of time here unless you're specifically visiting Sheshan for a day or two. Aside from the church and the Zhongshuge Building, everything else is pretty ordinary. My husband said it feels a bit like a deserted town.
Oh my god, here it is again. Didn’t I upload it once today?
You must check in when you are in Songgang,,,,,,
Songjiang Day Tour
Thames Town is a European-style residential area with several real estate projects.
There are several nice scenes inside, but there are a lot of tables and chairs placed outside. Later, I cleverly followed a couple taking wedding photos.
In Thames Town, the cherry blossoms are in bloom in March!
It was a very satisfying experience. The town is very beautiful and you can spend an afternoon strolling around. There are bars, bookstores, and foreign food. Oh, it was my first time rafting alone. I had a lot of fun here.
Gorgeous British style, feeling a different atmosphere
Updated bus routes. Now to Thames Town, you can take Subway Line 9 to Songjiang University Town Subway Station, then transfer to Tram Line 2 and get off at Thames Town West Gate.
I don't know if it can be considered as a high-end villa area built in imitation of the Thames in the UK. The architecture is very unique and there are often couples taking wedding photos.
There are many people taking wedding photos~
It's already a National Day holiday with few people.
Check in at Zhongshuge~
I went there during the National Day holiday and there were still many people. It is a good place to take pictures, and many people took wedding photos. However, it is not recommended to go there when there are a lot of people. There are many places with good taste, but because there are too many people, it is impossible to take pictures.
It's great for taking pictures, but it's not easy to get there.
It's amazing, I don't know how to describe its unique elegance.
What everyone is most familiar with about Thames Town is that it was the filming location for the movie "Tiny Times". It is a place that is particularly suitable for taking photos. It is full of newlyweds taking wedding photos. If you don’t know where to take the photos, just follow them.
Thames Town is a town dominated by European-style buildings. Many people come here to take wedding photos. There is also a beautiful church here.
The weather was good, with blue sky and white clouds, and the cross of the church could be seen from afar.
This place is quite remote, and it is a weekday, so there are not many people and the town is very quiet.
The church in the small town is really quiet and suitable for prayer. Sitting in the empty church, my heart is really peaceful.
I dare not take pictures inside the church. The structure inside is the same as that of all Christian churches.
It's a beautiful town worth visiting. It has a completely exotic atmosphere and is especially suitable for environmental portrait photography. I took the opportunity of attending a wedding and spent half a day exploring it.
The scenery here is average, but the buildings are very tall, giving people the feeling of being in a foreign country.
Personally, I think it's only suitable for taking pictures, not for playing.
Well, these are all European-style towns, and every city has its own take on them. So, what about their unique character? Nothing special. The environment is quite nice and elegant, with a large green space that feels like a large park, perfect for taking children. I met a kind and friendly old man here. He even showed me how to cook this fish, and it was quite a pleasant chat. If I have the chance, I might consider going back with my fishing rod, fishing with the old man, and chatting.
A great place for taking photos. The sky in Shanghai is very blue, and with the European-style buildings everywhere, I felt like I was in a foreign country.
In the summer of 2017, if you go to Songjiang, this is the most recommended place to go. It is very beautiful.
This place is a perfect place for wedding photos, with people taking them everywhere. The scenery is truly beautiful, and I highly recommend a visit. I saw men wearing suits taking photos. I felt really bad for them, in the middle of summer.
Parking is also quite convenient.
Thames Town is like a foreign town, very suitable for taking pictures
This upscale villa district, modeled after the Thames River in England, boasts distinctive architecture, with each block boasting a unique exterior. It's a large, integrated residential, tourist, and leisure community. The town boasts a church, a lakefront marina to the east, and a small train for exploring the town. Building on existing developments, the town has proposed the concept of a creative industry cluster, where visitors can enjoy a variety of art exhibitions. Sculpture, photography, paper cutting, calligraphy, and other creative industries are flourishing. It's quite far from the city center, so a long subway ride might be in order. It's said to be a popular check-in spot for influencers, so you might even run into one of them. It's worth a visit both day and night.
This small town is practically deserted, making it a perfect spot for wedding photography. It's quiet and beautiful. If you enjoy a quiet environment, this is a great choice.
A popular check-in spot, this is a town with a distinctly British feel! The retro cobblestone streets, the street signs, and the details are all European. It's especially great for taking photos. 📷 There are backdrops everywhere, and there are many couples taking wedding photos. There are also several photography studios inside. For those who are visiting alone, you really want to rush in and hire a photographer to take photos.📷🤣
The atmosphere of the bookstore is also very unique, making you want to quietly bury yourself in the piles of books. Of course, it is also beautiful for taking photos.
It's a two-hour subway and bus ride from the city. It's kind of a suburb. But the town is really beautiful and relaxing, not crowded, perfect for a relaxing break! There's also a beautiful library called Zhongshuge. It's beautiful! Once you've been to Thames Town, you won't want to go back to the city because it's so crowded.
There are internet-famous bookstores and churches here, and the scenery is picturesque and suitable for taking photos!
The British style is solid, and there are all kinds of Western food. It's a pity that I didn't go to the library.
Although it is a bit far, it is very beautiful and a great place for taking photos.
Remember to go to Zhongshuge.
From the overall layout to the bricks and tiles, the building is a 1:1 replica of European style. This quintessential British architecture makes you feel like you're truly transported to a small town abroad. This is also the university filming location for the TV series "Tiny Times"! The scenery is truly stunning! However, it's not suitable for selfies, so bring a friend along. If you're into artistic and fresh-minded pursuits, don't miss this place!
My friend said that another reason for coming here was because this was the filming location of Tiny Times 1, so we had to come and experience it.
It's actually really beautiful inside, a small European-style town, and not too crowded, so you can show off as much as you want, YEAH~
This is my second time here. It is one of the few places in Shanghai with few people. It is very beautiful inside. My parents and wife both like it here very much.
Fairytale beauty
The flowers are blooming and the trees are green.
And there aren't a lot of people coming here.
Especially comfortable
Um
This is a residential area
Want to know about Shanghai housing prices?
The beauty of life lies in the daily grind and joy. A cup of tea in leisure, life unfolds behind the door, fireworks unfold behind the closed window. Every moment of luck and joy, those subtle moments of happiness in ordinary life, fills us with longing and confidence, believing that there are still many things in this world worth our continued faith and anticipation. In fact, the beauty of a simple life lies not in the beauty or grandeur of the scenery, but in the encounters with those who warm us, and the hope that one day we too can become a little sun, warming others. In fact, along this journey, what has kept us warm is the fragrance of flowers, the warmth of the sun, and your smiling face...
Thames Town is a joint venture between Shanghai Songjiang New Town Construction and Development Co., Ltd. and several other large real estate developers, including Shanghai Henghe Real Estate Co., Ltd. The entire town was designed by the British Atkins Group.
Hong Kong Construction Company Limited, the company behind the National Centre for the Performing Arts' interior and exterior decoration, was also invited to supervise the entire project. By leveraging the collective wisdom of international partners, Thames Town was awarded the title of Shanghai's Most Investment Potential Real Estate in 2004. Various British-style buildings are already taking shape in Thames Town. "Love Britain, Live in Thames Town," a key project developed during Shanghai's 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Songjiang New Town's one-square-kilometer Thames Town is located between the West District residential cluster and the new city's central business district. Centered around a continuous multifunctional pedestrian street and a lakeside English-style plaza, it integrates commercial facilities, clubs, hospitals, supermarkets, churches, and various public facilities, accommodating single-family villas, townhouses, and multi-story apartments. The overall planning concept for Thames Town emphasizes the importance of British living. The design leverages Songjiang's favorable ecological environment, incorporating the charm and residential characteristics of a British town along the Thames River. The design strives for optimal harmony between man and nature, embodying Songjiang New Town's strong modern, international, ecological, and tourism-oriented character. A naturally flowing road system and a picturesque riverfront plaza serve as the backbone of the overall development. A continuous multifunctional pedestrian street and lakeside English-style plaza serve as the master plan's central axis, providing a vibrant venue for residents and visitors to gather, perform, relax, and socialize. The diverse and engaging atmosphere creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere filled with a sense of life and joy.
Many people come to Shanghai and don't know where to go. I recommend Thames Town, especially if you've never been to England. It's a popular spot for wedding and photoshoots, and it feels like being in England. There are outdoor cafes, churches, and neighborhoods. Of course, the most important place to visit is Zhongshuge, which is beautiful.
It is especially suitable for taking photos with girlfriends.
It's very close to Songjiang University Town in Songjiang, so we could hang out together. The weather was great when we went there. It's all Western-style buildings, very unique. There were a lot of foreigners, and there were quite a few couples taking wedding photos in the square near the church. Zhongshuge is also there, and there are quite a lot of books, which makes people dizzy. We spent most of the day eating and shopping. If you haven't been there, you can go to the exhibition hall first. You can't enter after 4 or 5 pm. I went there first and found out that the entrance time was too late. I regretted it a little. It's a relaxing and bourgeois place
No tickets are required, very suitable for taking pictures, European architectural style, very beautiful
The first time I took my baby out for a short trip, we came to Thames Town, a one-hour drive from the city. The town is full of European style and is suitable for strolling with the baby.
It is far from the city center. It took more than an hour to get there by subway and taxi. It has a European feel and is quite unique. It is suitable for posing and many newlyweds take wedding photos there.
Very suitable for taking pictures. There are some natural scenery on the edge of the town, which is very beautiful.
Travelers who come to Shanghai for tourism may not specifically go to suburbs like Thames Town, but for locals like us, Thames Town is definitely a good place for outings and photos. It is full of literary and elegant atmosphere. By the way, you can also visit the surrounding Songjiang University Town, where many idol dramas were filmed.
They were all there to take wedding photos. The food wasn't very diverse, but the scenery was okay.
I first discovered this place from a classmate's photos. It has a very British style and gives people an immersive feeling. My friends told me that there are too many people taking wedding photos here.
This is a charming town with British-style architecture, perfect for taking pictures and taking photos. It's clean, tidy, and beautiful, bringing you a happy mood! 2018.2.26
The environment is elegant, a great place to take photos, it's worth a visit😏
You can take wedding photos here and it’s a good place to sunbathe!
Thames Town integrates life, leisure and work, including the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Thames Catholic Church, Fransander Music and Art Center, etc.
The town exudes a British atmosphere and has unique architecture. It has now become a wedding base, with a church, a small lake, and a small train to take you around the town.
This is a small town with a British style. It is far from the city and the transportation is not very convenient. To be honest, it is just average. I should have said that I went there on the way. I saw many people taking wedding photos along the way.
Thames Town, located on the outskirts of Shanghai, was developed and built in the architectural style of the English town of the same name. Unfortunately, while the hardware is impressive, the infrastructure has fallen short. Currently, only wedding photography shops remain active; other businesses are dwindling, and there's not even a decent cafe to be found. Even so, it's still worth a visit for photography enthusiasts, as the architecture is truly unique.
Shanghai Thames Town boasts classic British architecture, spanning over 200,000 square meters. It boasts a comprehensive range of public and commercial facilities, including a fitness club, an art gallery, the Liston Hotel, and Thames Catholic Church. The town has become a popular destination for those seeking artistic pursuits, fashion, and romantic dreams. It's truly a place you won't want to leave.
It's a truly charming town with beautiful architecture, perfect for scenic photography or for young girls to snap pictures. It's also a great place for a family stroll. There's also the most beautiful bookstore, Zhongshuge, where you can grab a cup of coffee and a book and immerse yourself in the bohemian atmosphere. There are also many cafes, clothing stores, and a beautiful Catholic church. The town is very clean and tidy, bringing you a pleasant mood.
How to put it is that the characteristic towns are relatively small and fresh.
If you can take pictures, the pictures will be beautiful. Very beautiful.
Quite a lot of wedding photos.
The Catholic Church is pretty good.
Zhongshuge is also very distinctive.
Tiny Times was filmed in a square there.
A residential area with British-style architecture and a fresh and artistic location
It’s really far... so far... far... far~~~
Thames Town is an artistic place for taking wedding photos
This scenic spot in Songjiang District is quite unique. There is no entrance fee. There is also a church and a European-style town inside. It is nice to visit.
I came here with my girlfriend on the weekend and it was worth the trip, especially Zhongshuge, which was really impressive. It was just a little hot today.
It's a European-style town (water town?) with many busy shops.
It’s just so-so~~There are many people who take wedding photos, you can learn how they frame the photos.
Exotic, Catholic church, great. Many people come here to take wedding photos
Went there with my boyfriend on my day off
It's a bit far from the city center. It takes about an hour by subway and bus.
But after going there, I was really glad I came
The buildings are very beautiful
The scenery is also beautiful
It was just too hot that day
Sweaty after shopping
But overall it was a pretty fun day out.
It’s said to be a great place for taking photos. It’s not that great to see, but the photos are really good. No wonder many people take wedding photos here... (PS: The food there is terrible...)
It's especially suitable for taking pictures. No matter how you take pictures, they are beautiful. The only problem is that the transportation is not very convenient. I went there on the weekend and there were not many people, which is very good. Zhongshuge is so surprising. There is actually such a place in Shanghai. Anyway, it's worth the trip. I will definitely bring my friends here when they come to Shanghai in the future.
Although it was originally just a real estate project, it gradually became a wedding base over time. However, it is indeed a great place to take photos.
The buildings in the middle of the town are quite distinctive, many of which are photography studios. There is a church in the middle, which is a good place to take photos. The outer circle of the town is surrounded by many residential gardens, which surround these distinctive buildings in the middle. It took us two hours to walk around and take pictures, and the walking speed was relatively fast.
This place is very suitable for taking photos. The scenery is nice, but it is far away from Songjiang subway station, and you have to take a bus. We changed buses twice, which shortened the ride time. The waiting time was quite long. Fortunately, the weather was great that day, over 20 degrees, which is suitable for outdoor photography. You can take pictures of the streets without too many people. A selfie stick is a must. There is also a bookstore and a church. There are many beautiful angles for you to explore.
Thames Town is a scenic area with English-style architecture. The main attraction is Zhongshuge, one of China's most beautiful bookstores. Walking into the town feels like stepping into Europe, and many couples and photo studios choose to take photos here. It was also a filming location for the TV series "Tiny Times." Thames Town's biggest draw is its relative lack of crowds, allowing for unfettered poses and scenic photography without worrying about strangers. The town itself is small, so a leisurely stroll of two to three hours is plenty. For those who enjoy photography, a visit here is a must. Donning fashionable attire will create truly stunning photos.