Nanjing Road

By Bridge with Locals | June 2025

If the Bund is Shanghai’s face, then Nanjing Road (南京路) is its heartbeat. From neon-lit plazas to century-old cafés, high-fashion to street snacks, this 5.5 km pedestrian paradise is where Shanghai’s past, present, and future collide in motion.

For over a century, Nanjing Road has been China’s most famous shopping street. But it’s more than a retail haven—it’s a window into Shanghai life, where retirees do tai chi at sunrise and teens chase the latest drops.

Here’s how to walk, shop, snack, and connect your way through Nanjing Road—with a local by your side.

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1. Where Is Nanjing Road?

• 📍 Nanjing East Road: Pedestrian-only stretch from People’s Square to the Bund—vibrant morning to night.

• 📍 Nanjing West Road: Toward Jing’an—luxury malls, boutique hotels, office towers.

🚇 Metro Access:

• East: Line 2 or 10 → East Nanjing Road Station

• West: Line 2, 12, or 13 → West Nanjing Road Station

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2. What to See & Do Along Nanjing Road

🛍️ Shop Like a Local or Trendsetter

Nanjing East Road

• Shanghai No. 1 Department Store (since 1930s)

• Youngor, Peace Hotel Shops, Forever 21

• Hundreds of local snack stalls, souvenir vendors

Nanjing West Road

• Plaza 66, HKRI Taikoo Hui, Réel Mall (luxury)
• Independent boutiques tucked in side alleys
• Coffee culture blooming—local baristas rival Melbourne

Bridge to Locals Tip: Want bargains or vintage finds? We'll guide you to hidden gems off the main drag.

🥟 Snack Your Way Down the Street

• Shengjian Bao (crispy soup dumplings)
• Tanghulu (candied hawthorn)
• Pear Soup for cooling down
• Bubble waffles, roasted sweet potatoes in colder months

Bridge to Locals Tip: Skip the chain shops. We know the favorite grandma-operated stall frying scallion pancakes for 40 years.

🏛️ Pause for a Little History

• Peace Hotel: Iconic 1920s Art Deco—with a jazz bar to match
• Sincere & Wing On: Among China’s first modern department stores
• Pedestrian Train: Kitschy but nostalgic—ride it for fun!

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3. Best Time to Go

• Morning (9–11 AM): Quieter, best people-watching
• Evening (6–9 PM): Neon lights flicker alive, street musicians perform
• Weekdays: Avoid the crowds for a more relaxed walk

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Why Walk Nanjing Road with Bridge to Locals?

✨ Shop local, not touristy. We’ll lead you to hidden snack stalls, family-run boutiques, and alley vintage finds.

✨ Go behind the bright signs. Meet artisans—like the tailor who once dressed opera stars or a shoe shop in business since 1927.

✨ Sip milk tea with a student. Hear why Nanjing Road blends nostalgia and trendiness in equal measure.

✨ Talk to street vendors. They’ve worked the same corner for decades and have stories to share—they love talking to curious travelers.

You might share a bench with a retired factory worker who recalls when only two trams ran here. Or hear a teen describe the thrill of shopping for prom shoes. Or walk under the twinkling lights with your host and realize you’re not just in a shopping street—you’re in Shanghai’s story.

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👉 Talk to Bridge to Locals for more insider guides to China’s iconic places—where people, history, and daily life meet.