1 Day in Shanghai: A Relaxed Stroll Around Yan’an Road

If you have a free day in Shanghai and want to take a leisurely walk without rushing, I highly recommend the Yan’an Road area. It’s a major road that cuts through the city, close to shopping districts, beautiful cafes, and trendy photo spots.

Start your day by walking around Jing’an Temple since it’s right next to Yan’an Road. This temple is stunning, especially the golden gate at the front, perfect for morning photos when the light is just right ✨

Next, stop by a cafe nearby. There are small minimalist-style shops as well as the famous Manner Coffee, which smells amazing and is still reasonably priced compared to other cafes in Shanghai.

In the afternoon, I suggest heading to the food or dessert area like Grandma’s Home (home-style Chinese food), or if you want something lighter, try the bakery inside Reel Mall 🍰

End your evening by walking near Yan’an Elevated Road, where you’ll find a popular photo spot featuring an elevated road intersecting with tall buildings. The atmosphere feels like a scene from a modern Chinese movie, and if the sky is clear, you’ll get romantic sunset shots with city lights.

On your way back, stop by to check out some pearls before heading to your hotel.

Yan’an Road is a main road with quite a bit of traffic, so be careful when taking photos.

For a comfortable walk, I recommend wearing sneakers because this route is long and has many interesting spots to visit.

In the evening, the streetlights and buildings look beautiful, perfect for those who love cityscape photography 🚶‍♀️💛

Post by MagicMiles | Aug 9, 2025