Nanjing Road is one of the busiest shopping streets in the world and the main shopping venue of Shanghai. Visitors will enjoy the extensive selection of markets, pedestrian malls and Shanghai’s oldest department stores. The area is also home to International fine dining restaurants, bars and exhibition centres.
In addition to some of the best shopping in China, the 5.5 kilometres long Nanjing Road is also home to several interesting attractions. There are three groups of sculptures to view all cast in copper, with unique manholes that cover the street, designed with different motifs on each. Each of the 37 manhole covers are representative of the city’s buildings, all marked with the year of construction and intricate embossments. There are seating areas in this pedestrianised zone. Relax, enjoy a drink and people watch as the locals go about their daily business. Delightful traditional food establishments adorn Nanjing Road, allowing for that all important refreshment break. There are century-old jewellery stores, wine preserved food stores and charming establishments selling handcrafted items. Visitors will also find unique specialist shops which can’t be found elsewhere. A shop which sells just scissors, a smoked fish and pork moon cake shop and one of the oldest, large-scale Chinese medicine shops in the country. Art admirers will enjoy exploring the calligraphy and Chinese art workshops. Watch the masters at work and pick up a souvenir of Shanghai. To relax after a busy day’s shopping, head for beautiful Jing’an Temple and enjoy peaceful serenity while admiring the striking architecture.
Reaching Nanjing Road is easy via Shanghai metro line and a variety of bus services. There are many stops along the road which incorporate the areas of Nanjing Road East, Nanjing Road West, Jing’an Temple and People’s Square. Reaching Nanjing Road from People’s Square on foot takes approximately 10 minutes, and it’s just over 20 minutes from the popular riverside location, The Bund.
The history of Nanjing Road dates back to 1845 when it was called Park Lane. It was renamed several times over the years as the original street began to expand. During the 1930s, “Nanking Road” as it was then known, was a bustling street with a casino. After the Second World War, the road was renamed by the Chinese Government to Nanjing Road. Today it is a bustling magnet for Shanghai shoppers and those eager to enjoy the independent stores, world-class shopping malls and European style restaurants on offer.