Live Your Best Lives
Most of Shanghai's attractions are located along the Bund. If you're looking to experience modern Shanghai, focus on Pudong, where you'll find attractions like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Binjiang Boulevard. Conversely, to satisfy your lingering nostalgia for old Shanghai, strolling through the city's historic streets is the way to go. Xintiandi, Tianzifang, and Hengshan Road Bar Street are must-sees for the budget-conscious. If you're traveling with children, Madame Tussauds, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park are not to be missed.
D1: City God Temple → Yu Garden → Nanjing (East) Road → The Bund
After that, go to the Bund (Line 10, Nanjing East Road Station, Exit 7). Walk along Nanjing East Road towards the Bund Observation Avenue to see various old buildings. In the evening, find a restaurant on Nanjing East Road (Recommended: Hongli Restaurant Shanghai Hongyi Branch, Hongyi International Plaza 411, 88 RMB per person; 021 Shanghai Cuisine Theme Restaurant, 353 Plaza 7th Floor, 78 RMB per person). Those with more energy can head to the North Bund's Zhongshan East 1st Road area to find a stylish Western restaurant, offering mid- to high-end dining. (Recommended: Jean Georges, 4th Floor, Bund 3, 3 Zhongshan East 1st Road, 640 yuan per person). You can also walk to the intersection of Fuzhou Road and Sichuan Middle Road, where you'll find a variety of local specialties.
D2: Binjiang Avenue → Lujiazui Financial District (Oriental Pearl Tower → Jinmao Tower → Shanghai World Financial Center) → Century Park (or Shanghai Science and Technology Museum)
In the morning, head to Binjiang Avenue to enjoy the morning view of the Bund. It faces the Bund in Puxi across the river, offering panoramic views of the Bund's ancient buildings. The Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center all offer panoramic views of Shanghai, so it's recommended to visit any of them. For a family trip, head to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium near the Oriental Pearl Tower (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 160 RMB for adults, 110 RMB for children; remember to bring lunch). Central Plaza, adjacent to the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower, offers both lunch and shopping. In the afternoon, relax at Century Park (Century Park Station, Metro Line 2). For a family trip, we recommend visiting the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (Science and Technology Museum Station, Metro Line 2, 60 RMB for adults, 45 RMB for students).
D3: Jing'an Temple → Tianzifang → Xintiandi (Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China) → Sinan Road (Zhou Mansion) → Xujiahui Catholic Church → Hengshan Road
If you're interested, you can head to Jing'an Temple early and try some somen noodles there. Then, take the subway from Line 7 to Line 9 and get off at Dapuqiao Station. Explore Tianzifang, home to a diverse selection of small shops. Opposite Tianzifang is the Liuli Museum, which you'll want to check out. Lunch can be enjoyed at the Sun Moonlight Center near Tianzifang. In the afternoon, head to Xintiandi, which, like Tianzifang, is a dining and entertainment destination renovated from Shikumen (Metro Line 9, Madang Road Station). The Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China is recommended. This area is also not far from Zhou Mansion (Chongqing South Road Huaihai Middle Road Station, take Lines 869, 36, 986, 933, 986, or Tunnel 8 to Chongqing South Road Fuxing Middle Road Station, or walk). Sinan Road, where Zhou Mansion is located, is home to a cluster of old residences. If you're not pressed for time, explore this stretch. Afterward, visit Xujiahui Catholic Church. In the evening, have dinner at the nearby Grand Gateway 66. Later, explore a bar on Hengshan Road to experience the charm of Shanghai's nightlife.
D4: Duolun Road → Tianai Road → 1933 Laochangfang (M50) → North Bund (Waibaidu Bridge)
In the morning, stroll along Duolun Road all the way to Tianai Road. The Sichuan North Road pedestrian street between the two streets offers many shopping and dining options. In the afternoon, visit 1933 Laochangfang (take bus 854 from Sichuan North Road Shanyin Road Station to Liyang Road Zhoujiazui Road Station). Both M50 and 1933 are located in the Pioneer Park, so you can choose to visit either one. Finally, North Bund and Waibaidu Bridge are not far away; this area can be considered the source of the Bund. After strolling around, it's also nice to return to the Bund to enjoy the night view.
D5: Shanghai Museum → Hong Kong Famous Stores Street and Dimei Shopping Center
The Shanghai Museum is located in the People's Square area. You can take your time to browse the exhibition first, and then go to the nearby Hong Kong Famous Stores Street and Dimei Shopping Center to buy some souvenirs.
Xujiahui → Huaihai Road → People's Square → Nanjing Road → Super Brand Mall
Xujiahui: It is home to the "Four Great Kings" - Oriental Department Store, Grand Gateway 365, Pacific Department Store and Huijin Plaza.
Huaihai Road: This area is home to a wide range of world-class boutiques, with over 400 stores, including Printemps, Isetan Hua Ting, Times Square, Admiralty Square, Shanghai Plaza, Hong Kong Plaza, Pacific Department Store Huaihai Branch, and Parkson. The adjacent Shaanxi South Road and Changle Road are also worth a visit.
People's Square: The station has Hong Kong's famous shopping street and Dimei Shopping Center, with a wide variety of goods for you to choose from
Nanjing Road: More than 100 time-honored Chinese specialty stores and modern shopping malls await your visit.
Super Brand Mall: This is where you'll find renowned Chinese and international brands, global cuisine, and a variety of entertainment. If you have the energy and budget to spare, Super Brand Mall is also a great place to shop.
transportation
Xujiahui → Huaihai Road: Take Subway Line 1 from Xujiahui Station to Huangpi South Road Station
Huaihai Road → People's Square: Continue to take Metro Line 1 from Huangpi South Road Station to People's Square Station
People's Square → Nanjing Road: Walk from the square to Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road → Super Brand Shopping Mall: Take Metro Line 2 from Nanjing East Road Station to Lujiazui Station, and then go to Super Brand Shopping Mall
Lunch & Dinner
Lunch: You can have lunch on Huaihai Road
Dinner: Choose a restaurant in Zhengda Plaza and enjoy a meal while enjoying the night view of Lujiazui
Exploring Old Shanghai – A City Cultural Walking Tour
Renmin Avenue west (starting point) → Huangpi North Road and South Road south (Xintiandi, site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China) → Hefei Road west (Tao Feng Memorial Hall) → Chongqing South Road south → Jianguo Middle Road west (Tianzifang) → Sinan Road north (Zhou Mansion, former residence of Sun Yat-sen) → Huaihai Middle Road east → Chengdu South Road north → Old Chengdu North Road (site of the Second National Congress of the Communist Party of China) → Dagu Road west → Shimen First Road north → Weihai Road west → Maoming North Road south (former residence of Mao Zedong) → Maoming South Road south → Julu Road west (former residence of Cai Yuanpei) → Changshu Road south → Changle Road west → Huashan Road south → Wukang Road south (former residence of Soong Ching Ling) → Yuqing Road south → Hengshan Road south → Xujiahui Catholic Church
Total distance: about 30 kilometers, reference time: one day is enough for a quick tour, 8:00-18:00, it is recommended to divide the trip into two days
Zhongshan Park → Yuyuan Road → Jiangsu Road → Huashan Road → Xujiahui
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Recommended: Yuyuan Road
On the map of Shanghai in 1918, this place was indeed a private garden called "Yuyuan." Having weathered the hustle and bustle of the old Shanghai concession, housed seventy-two tenants, and endured more than half a century of the hustle and bustle of coal and water sharing, it now possesses the serenity and elegance of an old man. Yuyuan Road is a quintessential Shanghai street, winding its way from its westernmost point. The alleyways are numbered over 1,600, each housing countless homes.
Walking slowly from west to east, stunning small buildings pop into view in the deep alleys on either side. Old houses, especially those with a story behind them, always evoke a myriad of strange associations. Lining the road are plane trees, over half a century old, bearing witness to Shanghai's transformation.
Stop point:
Wang Mansion
Address: No. 31, Lane 1136, Yuyuan Road
Over 60 years ago, Wang Boqun built this house to marry Bao Zhining, the campus beauty of Daxia University. It was named after Wang Jingwei, who once lived there. Looking at this Gothic castle-like structure today, the house remains the same, only the sign for the Changning District Children's Palace hangs on the door. Sometimes during the day, when walking by, you can hear various instrumental music drifting from the windows, some melodious, some rapid.
Lane 749, Yuyuan Road
This is a complex of villas, completely invisible from the outside. Numbers 63, 65, and 67 are the most famous. Turning in from Lane 749, the entrance to the complex is quite open, but as it progresses, it becomes increasingly secluded, its owner's presence becoming more distinguished. The last few small doors, leading to the bustling city, are said to have been designed for easy escape. Houses built in troubled times retain doors unique to those times.
Xujiahui → Hengshan Road → Huaihai Road
Duration: 1 hour
Recommended: Hengshan Road. Walking along it, you'll realize how different Hengshan Road is during the day and at night. The narrow road, clean streets, and distinctly different buildings on either side—everything is simple and straightforward in the sunlight, with no hint of ambiguity.
My favorite part is the dense sycamore trees lining the road. They stretch for several blocks, their branches and leaves extraordinarily luxuriant due to their age-old history. The pruned branches densely cover the sky above the road, turning the entire road into a long, arched corridor.
Hidden along Hengshan Road are many historic apartments and private houses, each retaining its unique character like a hermit through the passage of time. The occasional opening and closing of the iron gates creates a mysterious presence, offering only a fleeting glimpse to passersby. The lush green branches and leaves within the gates peek out, the ivy climbing the gables, the vibrant silhouettes of the buildings in the sunset, the elongated shadows beneath the streetlights, always captivate us.
Stop point:
Camphor Garden
Address: No. 2A Hengshan Road (near Taojiang Road)
Xiangzhang Garden on Hengshan Road is a uniquely elegant café in Shanghai. A towering camphor tree juts out from the wall, creating an inseparable whole with the building, creating a unique charm. The street-facing side features bright, transparent open glass windows.
If you are tired of walking, you can choose a seat by the window here, order a cup of Blue Mountain coffee, put your thoughts aside, just stare out the window in a daze, let the passers-by become your scenery, and let yourself become the scenery of the passers-by.
Little Red House Restaurant
Address: 811 Hengshan Road
The three-story red building is filled with allure. The moment you step inside, you're immersed in elegance and nostalgia. It's said to be the predecessor of EMI Films' China headquarters. In 1983, it became the headquarters of China Record Corporation's Shanghai branch.
West Yan'an Road → Xinhua Road → Huaihai Road → Huashan Road → Xujiahui
Duration: 1.5 hours
Recommended: Xinhua Road
Walking along Xinhua Road, the plane trees lining the road are lush and leafy, their crowns converging in the middle of the road. Sunlight can only filter through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled spots of light on the road surface. Walking past the Shanghai National Orchestra, you can faintly hear the melodious sound of a harp emanating from the depths of the courtyard.
Today, the old buildings facing the street have been renovated and various reliefs are arranged on the walls. The newly added modernist sculptures always seem a bit out of place.
Stop point:
No. 200 Xinhua Road
A traditional Chinese palace-style building with a large double-eaved roof, red glazed tiles, and gray-white walls, it looks steady and solemn.
No. 231 Xinhua Road
This three-story English country-style garden house has white walls with exposed black wooden frames, and dormer windows exude a touch of elegance.
No. 32B, Lane 329, Xinhua Road
The former Swedish Legation was designed by Hungarian architect Hudec. The building, resembling a British residence with some Romanesque touches, stands out among the surrounding Western-style houses. It is said that before liberation, the building was transferred to the family of Sheng Xuanhuai, and descendants of the Sheng family still reside there.
Caobao Road Subway Station → Caobao Road → Guilin Road → Tianlin Road → Yishan Road
Duration: 2 hours
Recommended: Tianlin Road
Walk out of Caobao Road subway station and go along Caobao Road towards Guilin Road, and you will reach the fragrant Guilin Park. Perhaps not everyone knows that Guilin Park was originally called "Huang Family Garden" and was the private garden villa of Huang Jinrong, a tycoon in old Shanghai.
Turn a corner and walk for just over ten minutes to the bustling Tianlin Road. When I pass by here on my way home from get off work, besides the various small shops on both sides, there's also a huge night market. I can weigh out a few oranges at the roadside fruit shop, or order a pound of melon seeds from the snack shop, while I browse and eat, and I might even find a few small items I need at home.
Xujiahui → Jianguo West Road → Jianguo Middle Road → Jianguo East Road → Xizang South Road
Duration: 2 hours
Recommended: Jianguo West Road
Walking slowly along the street, the leaves of the old sycamore trees rustled in the wind, and the surrounding noise disappeared in an instant. Thoughts could be freely spread quietly in the rich cultural atmosphere.
There's so much to see along this road: the villas of Taiyuan Road, the buildings of Tianping Road, and just around the corner from Shaanxi South Road, you'll find Shaoxing Road, a place steeped in scholarly spirit. Although it's a rather unassuming street, only two or three hundred meters from east to west, it's easy to miss for those unfamiliar with it. The road is narrow, flanked by tall plane trees, whose shadows cast a tranquil atmosphere. Because there are no buses, on clear days, you can often see groups of people chatting in the middle of the street, seemingly locals, lending it a homely, urban feel.
Stop point:
Taiyuan Villa
Address: No. 160 Taiyuan Road
Built in 1928, it served as the residence of General George Marshall, the US President's special envoy, after the end of the Anti-Japanese War, earning it the nickname "Marshall House." Its architectural style is French Late Renaissance, with its most distinctive French features being its Mansard roof and French dormer windows.
Hanyuan Bookstore
Address: No. 27 Shaoxing Road
The bookstore isn't large, but it looks spacious. It feels like a home study, with a dark green sofa by the window and a small, unique lamp on the table between them. It evokes the charm of old Shanghai, imbued with a touch of Western romance. Next to the sofas are a row of bookshelves, displaying a variety of books. Various antique plaques adorn the walls, along with an 8mm movie projector and a quaint hand-crank telephone, creating a tranquil and orderly atmosphere.
The Bund → Nanjing East Road → Nanjing West Road → Jing'an Temple
Duration: 1 hour
Recommended: Nanjing West Road
When I was walking with a friend that day, he pointed to Jing'an Villa and said that there were many jewelry stores and fur shops here in the 1930s. The jewelry store in the movie "Lust, Caution" was here, and it really existed. It was said that it was opened by the family of Eileen Chang's good friend Yan Ying.
The jewelry store has long since vanished, leaving only the Jing'an Villa, stripped of its former splendor and free of the garish scent of old Shanghai. Within, the descendants of the old Shanghainese live a simple life of daily necessities.
Speaking of Eileen Chang, who wrote so vividly about the melancholy of Shanghai's glitz and glamour, it's natural to take a detour to visit her former residence, located at the intersection of Changde Road and Yuyuan Road. Back then, I imagine she often walked along Nanjing Road at night.
Stop point:
Former Residence of Eileen Chang
Address: No. 195 Changde Road
Changde Apartment, 195 Changde Road, formerly known as the "Edinburgh Apartment," was where Eileen Chang lived with her mother and aunt in Room 51 in 1939. In 1942, they moved into Room 65 (now Room 60), where they lived until 1948. She documented this period in her book, "Memories of Apartment Life."
Nanjing West Road → Shaanxi South Road → Changle Road → Zhenning Road
Duration: 1.5 hours
Recommended: Changle Road
Changle Road, bordered by Urumqi, is divided into two worlds. To the west lies a world of old buildings, primarily residential, many of which are historically protected. A quiet stroll, stopping here and there, offers unexpected surprises. But that's not all; wandering through the alleys, large and small, of Changle Road is the true essence. As night falls, an elderly man rests in the shade of a tree in front of an old villa, his rocking chair beside him, a radio blaring Kunqu opera.
To the east lies the renowned fashion street. Clothing and accessories shops line the streets, attracting celebrities and celebrities of all ages. Foreigners often set up shop in three-story, old-fashioned houses, adorned with black and white, vintage walls, and creaky wooden staircases. Fashionable clothing is available, and custom-made items are also available. Walking west from east, Fumin Road is home to many of Shanghai's most famous eateries, such as Paul Restaurant and Amao Restaurant.
Huaihai Middle Road → Fenyang Road → Dongping Road → Urumqi Road
Duration: 40 minutes
Recommended: Dongping Road
Dongping Road is a short road that became famous overseas due to the movie "Big City Small Things". This movie, which is jokingly called "the best Shanghai landscape film", was filmed here.
Coming from Fenyang Road, walk slowly along Dongping Road for just over 200 meters. There are no buses and few pedestrians. This is the only way to enjoy a leisurely stroll. Going straight ahead, you'll reach Hengshan Road, and further on, you'll reach Urumqi Road, Shanghai's busiest and bustling nightlife.
You can avoid the hustle and bustle by walking a dozen meters inside and looking back. The cars are still visible, but the sounds have miraculously disappeared. Walking in this way, your heart calms down and your pace slows down involuntarily.
Stop point:
Paulaner Restaurant
Address: No. 150 Fenyang Road
This imposing gray-and-white Western-style building, built in the French Renaissance style, is now a renowned German restaurant on Shanghai's Bund. Here, you can try the famous German roast pork knuckle, and their home-brewed beer is said to be the best in Shanghai. This was once the residence of senior Kuomintang general Bai Chongxi, and before that, it was the private garden of French adventurer Sibelius.
Ailu
Address: No. 9 Dongping Road
A French-style garden house, a dowry for Soong Mei-ling, is a typical French-style garden house, with vines entwined around its walls, changing colors with the seasons, and its exterior inlaid with black, white, and yellow pebbles. The roof is a sloping Bensar roof, covered with red flat tiles, creating a clean and elegant yet unconventional look.
Huaihai Road → Tianping Road → Wukang Road → Hunan Road → Xingguo Road
Duration: 70 minutes
Recommended: Wukang Road
Wukang Road is long, requiring considerable stamina to walk. But its tranquility is irresistible. Those who haven't been to Wukang Road can hardly appreciate the tranquility and elegance of Shanghai's older streets. The road, not too narrow, slopes gently, unassumingly. Old villas lining the road peek out from under the shade of sycamore trees, quietly enjoying the greenery and sunshine.
Shanghai is not a traditional Chinese city. Its culture is open, integrating Western elements into Chinese culture. Wukang Road is the best expression of this, with numerous Western-style buildings yet quiet and restrained.
Radiating from Wukang Road, there are countless paths to explore and streetscapes to admire. The clothing shops on Tianping Road are captivating, and Hands at the intersection with Huaihai Road is worth a visit. Hunan Road was once home to Zhao Dan and Ruan Lingyu, and these influential figures have etched a unique charm on the road.
Stop point:
Wukang Road
Address: No. 2, Lane 107
Chen Lifu and Chen Guofu's Shanghai residence is a British country-style garden villa. Built in 1946, this three-story garden house is remarkably elegant. Currently, it houses several families, making it the most accessible of the mansions of the "Four Great Families."
HANDS
Address: No. 31 Tianping Road
This is a very nice clothing store with excellent quality. There's also a small toy house filled with all sorts of oddities sourced from around the world.
Zhao Dan's Former Residence
Address: No. 8 Hunan Road
A deep courtyard wall and a latticed iron gate stood like a fence separating the passage of time. Near the small Western-style building stood a large, leafy fir tree, vaguely guarding the entrance, adding to the tranquility of the apartment. Zhao Dan's apartment was on the third floor.
Line 4 Hailun Road Intersection → Liyang Road → Sichuan North Road → Duolun Road → Shanyin Road
Duration: 1 hour
Informant recommendation: Duolun Road
A five-minute walk from Line 4 brings you to tranquil Liyang Road. Turning from bustling Siping Road onto tranquil Liyang Road, the bustle is instantly banished by the shade of dense, tall plane trees. The road is lined with garden-style houses, with few cars and pedestrians. Landscape paintings adorn the low walls on either side, creating a tranquil alternative to Hengshan Road. Continue along Liyang Road until you reach Duolun Road.
The setting sun casts a shadow over Duolun Road, a street less than 600 meters long, where booksellers and antique stalls draw passersby. This street, once home to both Lu Xun and Ye Shengtao, houses deep within its alleys, where the old buildings retain a 1930s charm, and the moist air is thick with a nostalgic aroma.
Stop point:
Old Movie Cafe
Address: No. 123 Duolun Road
Shanghai's first themed movie bar, on the second floor, you can watch classic films from the 1920s and 1930s projected on vintage projectors. A cup of coffee, a nostalgic street lamp, and a time-worn mailbox—just like the unchanging old buildings on this street.
Confucius Mansion
Address: No. 250 Duolun Road
Kong Xiangxi and Soong Ailing owned four mansions in Shanghai, one of which was the "Kong Residence" on Duolun Road. Strolling along Duolun Road and peering into No. 250, the imposing facade, the ornate mosaic tiles, and the old building's Islamic charm are striking. It's said that Kong Xiangxi enjoyed taking the overnight train to his Shanghai residence on weekends to host banquets for guests.