Shanghai/index.html'>Shanghai is more than just skyscrapers and the Huangpu River’s night view, more than the bustling City God Temple and Nanjing Road. The true essence of old Shanghai’s "Haipai" style is hidden in streets and alleys far from the noise, places that once witnessed the grandeur of the "Ten Miles of Foreign Banks" and now bear the wear and tear of time. If you want to better understand Shanghai, avoid the crowded tourist spots and explore these districts to experience the city’s historical charm and the vibrant life of its neighborhoods. 

If you want to know more about Shanghai and itineraries, please contact us. Popular Tour Packages in Shanghai:

1-Day Shanghai Trip

3-Day Hangzhou to Shanghai Tour

1.  Wukang Road: A Condensed Century of Modern Shanghai History

If you could only visit one street in Shanghai, many old Shanghainese would recommend Wukang Road. Originally built by American Ferguson, the principal of Nanyang Public School, it was named "Ferguson Road" before being included in the French Concession. The architecture here is mainly in Spanish and French Renaissance styles, with sycamore trees lining both sides of the road, giving it a European flair mixed with tranquility. In the movieLust, Caution, the character Wang Jiazhi, played by Tang Wei, meets Mr. Yee, portrayed by Tony Leung, at "No. 99 Ferguson Road."

Wukang Road is known as "a street that condenses a hundred years of Shanghai's modern history," and many famous political figures, military leaders, industrialists, and intellectuals have lived here, leaving behind 37 historical buildings or former residences. Today, it blends its historical charm with modern life, with cafes and boutique shops scattered along the street.

Must-See Spots: Representative Cultural Sites

● No. 858 Wukang Road: Normandy Apartments (now Wukang Building)

● No. 395 Wukang Road: Former Peking Research Institute

● No. 390 Wukang Road: Former Italian Consulate, a rare Mediterranean-style building in China

● No. 113 Wukang Road: Former residence of Ba Jin, where he lived for decades

● No. 99 Wukang Road: Former residence of Liu Jingji, the "love nest" of the protagonists in Lust, Caution

● No. 40 Wukang Road: Former residence of Tang Shaoyi, the first Premier of the Republic of China, who was assassinated here

● "Romeo Balcony": Don’t miss the Italian-style balcony on Wukang Road.

Must-Visit Shops:

1.  WIYF: Super popular ice cream shop

Address: No. 202 Wukang Road

A small shop that’s always packed with customers, owned by Frank Pecol, the same person behind Farine. The flavors like sea salt caramel, dark chocolate almond, and rum raisin are worth trying.

2.  Catie Lo: Artistic fashion boutique

Address: No. 105 Wukang Road (near Fuxing West Road)

A trendy store mixing retro and playful styles, with distinctive dresses and exquisite accessories. The shop itself, with its graffiti-painted facade and elegant ironwork, blends beautifully with the green trees around.

Practical Information for Walking on Wukang Road:

● Transportation: Take Metro Lines 10 or 11 to Jiaotong University Station, or take buses 26, 911, 920, 926 to Wukang Road, or buses 113, 328, 48 to Huashan Road Wukang Road.

● Recommended Surrounding Streets: Tianping Road, Yuqing Road, Xingguo Road, Hunan Road, Urumqi Middle Road, Anfu Road.

Tips:

1.  Many of the historical buildings on Wukang Road are private residences, so don't enter without permission. If you want to take photos, try not to disturb the residents.

2.  There are many boutique accommodations nearby, such as garden villas and classical Western-style houses, perfect for staying and experiencing old Shanghai charm.

2.  Yuyuan Road: The Storms Behind the Garden Villas

Yuyuan Road isn't very wide, but it is quite long, stretching from Jing'an Temple at the east end to Zhongshan Park at the west. As you stroll down this lengthy street, admiring the windows of various boutique shops and glancing at the occasional hidden alleys that pass by, you may not realize that behind the lively scenes of everyday life, there are layers of intriguing history. Countless stories from the turbulent years of the last century are hidden deep within these garden villas, silently embedded in each brick and tile, quietly waiting for the footsteps of a hundred years later.

Must-See Spots: Representative Cultural Sites

● 1136 Yuyuan Road, Lane 31: The famous Wang Mansion (Wang Boqun Residence), an Italian Gothic-style building, now converted into a Youth Palace.

● 1015 Yuyuan Road: French-style building, once the former residences of Zhou Zuomin and Li Jishen.

● 361 Yuyuan Road: Yugu Village, a representative new-style lane housing district.

● 81 Yuyuan Road: The former residence of Liu Changsheng, now the Museum of the History of the Underground Struggle in Shanghai.

Must-Visit Shops:

1.  Hao Jiu Bu Du (Haven’t Read for a Long Time): An Art and Culture Bookstore & Café

Address: 1208 Yuyuan Road

This artsy bookstore is full of design elements. The café serves brunch and desserts, and many of the dishes are named after literary works. The store’s collection mainly focuses on humanities and art, with a good number of children’s books as well.

2.  Glass Island: Drink Coffee While Making Your Own Glass Art

Address: 1250 Yuyuan Road

In this unique, artsy shop, you can learn the art of glass-making yourself. Many parents bring their children here for parent-child courses. The café offers a variety of foods and drinks, so you can enjoy snacks and drinks while making crafts.

3.  Yuan Yuan: Taste Authentic Shanghainese Cuisine

Address: 1 Yuyuan Road, 2nd Floor, Hong’an Swiss Hotel (near Changde Road)

Yuyuan Road is not lacking in good food, with everything from Chinese to Western, desserts to Japanese cuisine. Here, we recommend a well-reviewed Shanghainese restaurant. It’s said that their red-braised pork is authentic and delicious—definitely worth trying!

Practical Information for Strolling Yuyuan Road

● Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 or 7 to Jing'an Temple Station, or Line 2 or 11 to Jiangsu Road Station; or take buses 20, 330, or 825 to Yuyuan Road, Jiangsu Road, or Yuyuan Road, Wulumuqi North Road.

● Recommended Nearby Routes: Changde Road, Tongren Road, Huashan Road, Zhenning Road.

3.  Xinhua Road: When Poetry Merges with Everyday Life

Xinhua Road, formerly known as Anhe Temple Road, is also located in the former French Concession. Perhaps because it was once close to the Fahuazhen Temple, the Western architecture here carries a sense of transcendence. Many of the houses along the street are designed by Hungarian architect Wudak. Towering French plane trees line both sides of the road, and in autumn, their fallen leaves crunch underfoot. Xinhua Road feels more lived-in, with few tourists—most of the people you see are locals or young people heading to Shanghai Film City. This fresh, poetic atmosphere blends seamlessly into daily life, becoming part of the rhythm of every morning and evening.

Must-See Spots: Representative Cultural Sites

● 211 and 329 Lanes, Xinhua Road: "Foreign Lanes" Xinhua Villas, where two lanes form a neat horseshoe shape.

● 329 Lane 17, Xinhua Road: Designed by Hungarian architect Wudak, a Spanish-style garden residence.

●  329 Lane 36, Xinhua Road: The famous "Cake House," a two-story circular villa named for its resemblance to a cake. Designed by Wudak, it was once the Spanish Consulate.

● 179 Xinhua Road: A German-style garden villa, an excellent historical building in Shanghai.

Must-Visit Shops:

1.  M2F: A Coffee Shop That Grinds Beans with Care

Address: 165 Xinhua Road

Located opposite Shanghai Film City, next to a beautiful German-style garden villa, this small coffee shop has received praise from professionals for its coffee. It’s a perfect place to relax with a cup of coffee after watching a movie with friends.

2.  Iliili: A Dreamlike Fairyland of Blossoms

Address: 320 Panyu Road

Hidden deep in an alley, this forest-themed café is adorned with various flowers, paired with vintage décor and a specially built sunroom. It’s an ideal spot for a lazy afternoon tea with your best friends.

Practical Information for Strolling Xinhua Road

● Transportation: Take Metro Line 10 or 11 to Jiaotong University Station, or buses 48, 911, 946, or 806 to Xinhua Road, Panyu Road.

● Recommended Nearby Routes: The intersection of Xinhua Road/Huaihai West Road and the intersection of Wukang Road/Huaihai Middle Road are nearby, and you can also visit Xujiahui/Hengshan Road for a delightful day of eating and strolling.

4.  Sinan Road: The "Renaissance" of the Old Concession

Sinan Road, formerly known as Masnan Road, was named to commemorate a French musician. The architecture here encompasses nearly all the styles of old Shanghai, both Chinese and Western, resembling a world architecture expo. The essence of Shanghai's Haipai culture is visible here. The Sinan Mansion on Sinan Road has become a typical representative of this architectural ensemble. It has evolved into a unique commercial area that integrates culture, fashion, history, and art, hosting a continuous array of cultural activities, exhibitions, and lectures. It seems to have brought a "renaissance" to this old concession area.

Must-See Spots: Representative Cultural Sites

● 73 Sinan Road: Zhou Mansion (Open: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Entrance Fee: 2 RMB)

● 87 Sinan Road: The Former Residence of Mei Lanfang

● 51-56 Sinan Road: Sinan Mansion

● 7 Xiangshan Road (Corner of Sinan Road and Xiangshan Road): Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Open: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Entrance Fee: 20 RMB)

Must-Visit Shops:

1.  A Niang Noodle Shop: The Taste of Old Shanghai

Address: 36 Sinan Road

The shop may seem modest, but it’s clean, and many local residents come here to eat. Enjoy a bowl of highly praised yellow croaker noodles or spicy eel noodles—the taste of old Shanghai fills the air with steam.

2.  Antique Garden: A Café or an Antique Shop?

Address: 44A Sinan Road

Some say this is the most beautiful café in Shanghai, so beautiful that it cannot be captured by a camera. It mainly serves coffee and desserts, while also selling European-style vintage furniture and miscellaneous goods. With dim lighting and scenic views outside, you’ll feel transported to the old Shanghai era.

3.  Las Tapas: Unforgettable Iberian Delights

Address: 45 Sinan Road, Building 32, 1st-2nd Floors

A stylish Spanish restaurant located inside the Sinan Mansion. While the prices are a bit higher, the quality is well worth it. The seafood paella and Iberian ham are both delicious, and the tapas are also excellent. The service is attentive and thoughtful.

Practical Information for Strolling Sinan Road

● Transportation: Take Metro Line 13 to Huaihai Middle Road Station, or buses 26, 42, 198, 911, 920, or 926 to Huaihai Middle Road, Sinan Road.

● Recommended Nearby Routes: Nanchang Road, Ruijin 2nd Road, Fuxing Middle Road, Huaihai Middle Road.

5.  Shanyin Road: Following the Footsteps of Lu Xun

Compared to the parallel Tian’ai Road and the adjacent Duolun Road, Shanyin Road may be less famous. However, it is still a true residential area filled with a rich, lived-in atmosphere. The street exudes old Shanghai's elegance and tranquility. The red brick and black-tile buildings tell the stories of this neighborhood, and even as the hustle and bustle fade, the serenity of the years remains.

Must-See Spots: Representative Cultural Sites

● 9 Dalu New Village, Shanyin Road: The Former Residence of Lu Xun, where he lived in his later years until his death (Open: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Free with a ticket).

● Hengfeng Lane: Classic old Shanghai Shikumen houses.

● Dongzhao Lane: Also known as Rizhào Lane, the former residence of Qu Qiubai (12 Dongzhao Lane).

●  Qianai Lane: Now Shanyin Road Lane 2, once owned by the Japanese East Asia Industrial Company. Lu Xun's friend Neishan Wanzou once lived here.

Must-Visit Shops:

1.  Wanshouzhai: Authentic Shanghai Xiaolongbao

Address: 123 Shanyin Road (Near Lu Xun's Former Residence)

Shanghai locals say you can taste the flavors of childhood here. It’s a small, typical street-side eatery, where fresh pork xiaolongbao and vegetable dumplings are the highlights.

2.  Xiao Cheng Guang's Taste: Childhood Snacks Revisited

Address: 105 Shanyin Road

Enjoy nostalgic Shanghai snacks like Guangming wafer chocolate, taro stick twists, and scallion-soda biscuits—taste the flavors of childhood memories here.

3.  Tian Tang Tai Yuan, Ren Jian Zheng Hao: A Moment of Leisure, Hidden in the City

Address: 37 Hengfeng Lane, Shanyin Road, Lane 69

A café located in Hengfeng Lane, with a name that itself is poetic. The lattes, hot chocolate, and handmade cookies are highly praised, and the café also has many travel books, allowing you to sip coffee while dreaming of your next travel destination.

Practical Information for Strolling Shanyin Road

● Transportation: Take Metro Line 3 or 8 to Hongkou Football Stadium Station, or buses 18, 21, 47, 52, 167, 318, 597, 939, or 962 to Sichuan North Road, Shanyin Road.

● Recommended Nearby Routes: Duolun Road, Tian’ai Road, Liyang Road.

After reading this, are you eager to embark on a time-traveling journey through old Shanghai?