Champs-élysées to Paris and Oxford Street to London are what Nanjing Road to Shanghai. Nanjing Road, billed as “China’s First Commercial Street”, is the most well known shopping and leisure street in Shanghai. The east-west Nanjing Road is generally sectioned into Nanjing East Road and Nanjing West Road. Nanjing East Road is now a traffic-free street, leading up to the Bund on its east.
For a first-time visitor to Shanghai, a leisure stroll along the 1-km pedestrian only street and ending at the Bund is an interesting experience, people watching, shopping, drinking and eating.
1. How to get to Nanjing Road in Shanghai
With Metro Line 1, Champs-élysées is linked to Concorde Square while Nanjing Road is connected to Shanghai People’s Square by Metro Line 1, 2 and 8. So Shanghai People’s Square is a metro hub easily accessible from all corners of Shanghai.
Of all the 20 exits, you may ext from Exit 7 or 19 for a nice walk from people’s square to the Bund passing through Nanjing Road. Alternatively, you can take the subway line 2 and get off at the Station of East Nanjing Road and exit 1 or 4 for the walk along the shopping street.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes for a one-hour Walk
Be prepared to do a lot of walking with your casual shoes, especially you are going to walk from People’s Square to the Bund, a nice one hour walk.
3. Lots of Shops but no Bargaining
Any brand you can think of, Forever 21, H&M, Swatch, Gap, Marks, Old Navy, and Spense and the list is much longer. Suggest you first wisely window shop for sometime until you strike an idea of what to shop.
There a full spectrum of stores here ranging from high fashion and technology to small souvenir shops. You can shop for the cheapest of things and the expensive branded items alike.
4. Dining and Drinking
East Nanjing Road is not just for window shopping and big buyers, but also a leisure place to rewind yourself. There are several side streets offering coffee shops, local food, you may take a break and relax.
These side streets gives you a different vibe, as if you were in a different city. It is worth your adventure where the locals eat.
5.Night walk along Nanjing Road
A night stroll along the pedestrian street is much more impressing, and you are rewarded with its sparkling and eye-popping neon lights, watching the Neon-Colored Nanjing Road.
Come here at night and see the amazing old buildings all lit up. It’s like the Times Square in New York. You get a glimpse of all the LEDs on the buildings, creative and attractive.
6. Small Shuttle Trams
If you don’t have strong legs, you may take the little trams going up and down along the street, 5 RMB. The train is slow, also a good opportunity for photography.
7. Beware of the Street Touts
You may be pestered by some persistent people trying to sell you things from tours to goods. Just ignore them! Avoid striking a conversation with an approaching student who may sell you an art piece in the name of practising English with you.
8. Beware of Sex/Massage Offers
Also beware of all the sex/massage offers on the street. They are all scams. Just say no and keep moving.
9. Beware of Pickpockets.
Though there is quite some police patrolling, you still need to take care of your belongings due to the in huge crowds .
10. A Combo of People’ Square, Nanjing Road and the Bund
The Nanjing East road stretches from the People’s Square to close to the Bund, so it is worthwhile to consider combining visiting these three places.
Add-on
The Neon-Colored Nanjing Road
How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
Huangpu River Cruise Ticket Booking
How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong
Night walk along Nanjing Road in Shanghai
Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:
Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver
Further Readings
Top 10 Attraction in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai
Any questions, just drop a line.
