SHANGHAI

GET TO KNOW SHANGHAI NEIGHBORHOODS

Shanghai is a city of neighborhoods — each with its own character and charms. Whether you love quiet parks and historic architecture, fine arts, shopping until you drop, or people watching, there’s a Shanghai neighborhood (or two) you’ll love. When you’re planning your Shanghai travel itinerary, be sure to include visits to some of these areas:

Pudong

You’ll probably fly into what has become one of the most famous Shanghai neighborhoods in the city, known for its impressive (and ever-changing) skyline and luxury hotels. Near the Huangpu River, busy Pudong was once mostly farmland, but today it’s a tourist hotspot thanks to the high rise Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower in Lujiazui financial district — not to mention famous attractions like Shanghai Disneyland®.

Century Park

On the other hand, Shanghai is also home to sights and experiences that feel decidedly non-urban. Century Park is a green oasis that’s considered one of the best parks in the world. There are several bird reserves, lakes, fountains, a bamboo forest, and the famous Century Flower Clock. Admission is RMB 10 per person, though seniors and children may enter for free. The area around the park is where you’ll find the quieter suburbs of Pudong, along with a number of museums, five-star hotels, and plenty of local flavor.

The Old City

Technically part of Huangpu, the old city next to Yu Garden is one of the most beautiful Shanghai neighborhoods — and the oldest. While a lot of the traditional Chinese buildings have been replaced by new construction, there are still more picturesque temples and tea houses here than in the rest of the city. This scenic area is a popular tourist draw because it’s home to the famous City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) — but the whole neighborhood is just beautiful, and there are lots of opportunities to try the traditional Shanghai foods around here.

People’s Square

This area is known to travelers for destinations like Nanjing Road, the free Shanghai Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai, and the Grand Theater. It’s also home to People’s Park, which is a prime spot for people-watching in Shanghai. On any given day, you’ll spy people practicing Tai Chi, flying kites, roller skating, or enjoying the area’s small amusement park.

The Bund

Shanghai’s famous waterfront has a mile-long stretch along the bank of the Huangpu River where you’ll see luxurious Gothic, Art Deco, and Beaux Arts architecture dating back to a time when this neighborhood was controlled by the U.S. and Britain. Today, many of the historic buildings in the Bund have become luxury hotels, boutique shops, and high-end restaurants, but there are also some fantastic art galleries and museums. It’s worth visiting the Bund at night when you can enjoy an amazing view of the shining Shanghai skyline from any of the neighborhood’s rooftop clubs.

The French Concession

You’ll find a cool mix of elderly locals and well-off expats in this Shanghai neighborhood, which has charming lane houses and Tudor mansions flanked by rows of imported French shade trees. Most people come here to visit Fuxing Park and to shop on Huaihai Zhong Lu, and the bars and restaurants are all lovely. Many of the buildings in this Shanghai neighborhood have bronze plaques that describe their history, and there are numerous culinary tours that will give you a taste of traditional and modern Chinese delicacies.

M50

This newer Shanghai neighborhood has become the city’s number one art district and is among the coolest areas in Shanghai. Many people find M50 a bit hard to navigate at first because of the maze of restored factories that house the area’s art galleries and quirky cafes, but if you have the time and the patience to wander you’ll encounter some of the best art in the city. Make sure you visit the neighborhood’s iconic graffiti wall to snap a photo before you move on!

Fuzhou Road

More than just a street of bookshops, the area around Fuzhou Road (which is one of the oldest roads in the city) is a hub of music, theater, and art. The Yifu Theater hosts traditional Chinese performances, there are antique shops with wares dating back for centuries, and you can buy everything from beautiful pottery to fine calligraphy tools.