Shanghai is a city that is suitable for exploring on foot. You may already know that Shanghai is an international metropolis with some of the busiest avenues but you may not know that the memories and culture of the city are scattered in some quaint streets and alleys.
It is time to get out of the vehicles and get to know the city in the most down-to-earth way. Herewe have provided you with some good ideas to enjoy a Shanghai walking tour. Read on to discover how to experience the hidden beauty of Shanghai.
1. The Bund Culture Experience
The Bund is a 1.5-kilometer promenade alongside the Huangpu River. About 150 years agothe Bund was the starting point of Shanghai's development and the architectural structures along itboth classic and moderncomprise a living museum that has recorded Shanghai's golden age.
Todaythe Bund can be praised as an exotic building cluster. Walking along the Bundyou can appreciate the 52 ancient buildings in various architectural sincluding British neoclassicalGothicbaroqueand East Indian s.
The BundShanghaiIf you are interested in the history of old Shanghai and the culture behind the buildingsyou may go on an in-depth Bund culture discovery tour with us. You will follow your guide to visit interesting placessuch as to see the beautiful mosaic ceiling in Hong Kong and Shanghai Bankthe museum in Astor House Hoteland the movie poster gallery in the Peace Hotel. Your guide will also tell you stories about the Bundwhich are only known by local experts.
To enjoy the Bund culturesee our Shanghai in Progress experience.
2. Former Jewish Settlement Walking Tour
Former Jewish SettlementDuring World War IIShanghai was a "Noah's Ark" receiving nearly 30,000 Jewish refugees from Europe who had fled Nazi massacres and persecution. The Jews then set up their home in Shanghai and built their churchesschoolshospitalsand parks. At presentthere are about 48 Jewish historical sites in Shanghai.
If you want to learn more about this historyyou may visit Hongkou Districtwhich used to be the settlement for Jews. Follow your guide to discover their meeting hallsa newspaper officea memorial museumand more original buildings that stood during WWII.
See our Former Jewish Settlement Walking Tour to unfold the memories of that special time.
3. Former French Concession Walking Tour
Former French ConcessionThe Former French Concession (FFC) is one of the top attractions for Shanghai visitors due to its historical buildings and beautiful streets.
Walking along some of the streets in the FFCyou may find yourself touring some European countries. A typical feature of the FFC is the plane tree avenueswhich are incomparable walking paths. You may find lines of elegant old houses in different architectural s. During your visitdon't skip the cafésbarsand restaurantsor miss the boutiques and antiques shops.
Recommended Streets to Admire Old Shanghai Residences
- Yuyuan Road: This used to be the place of residence for many influential Chinese men and women. Walk around and listen to their stories.
- Xinhua Road: The road is sheltered by plane trees and preserves over 100 garden-like villas. From the structured British to the romantic French you can find many pretty houses along the road.
- Sinan Road: This road has collected almost all the residential s of old Shanghai. There are interesting places to checksuch as an antique furniture café and a Starbucks in an old mansion.
If you are traveling with usyour tour guide will lead you for a 2-hour walking tour starting from a historic hotel to the art street of Tianzifang. Check out our French Concession Walking Tour for more information.
4. Wander Along Shanghai Old Street
Shanghai Old StreetIf you want to know what Shanghai used to be like 100 years agotake a walk around Shanghai Old Streetwhich is 1 kilometer south of the Bund. There are no broad avenues or streams of trafficjust scruffy buildings and the hustle and bustle of the residents.
Although there are a lot of people theremost of them are seniors who have stayed there for decades and refuse to leave because they consider it to be their home. You seldom see young people therebesides other visitorsbecause there is nothing there but the memories of the city.
Try to slow your pace to discover more interesting things. You might find a kind of manual sewing machine or some special "boxes" in which you can watch Chinese shadow puppetry by putting your head into one.
5. Discover Shanghai's Alleyways
Shanghai's alleywaysIt is easy to find a broad avenue or a bustling shopping street in Shanghai butif you'd like to discover the authentic life of the local peopleyou should go into some small alleys.
The alleys in Upper Ruijin 2nd Road are a good place to walk around and see the local people's daily lives. There are no skyscrapersluxury villasor well-decorated shops and storesjust nostalgic houses built with brownish-red bricks. The narrow alleys are just wide enough for two cars to pass throughand you should watch your head when going upstairs in an old house.
A good idea is to arrive there early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast with the locals. Eating "Four Guardians"which means four kinds of local snacksin a historical restaurant is recommended.
See the top dishes in Shanghai you should try.
6. Lujiazui Modern Shanghai City Walk
Dusk view of LujiazuiShanghaiLujiazui faces the Bund across the Huangpu River but the view is totally different in two places. With some of the tallest skyscrapers in ChinaLujiazui represents the rapid development of Shanghai. It is also where many Hollywood movies have been filmedsuch as SkyfallTransformers: Revenge of the Fallenand Mission: Impossible III.
You can walk around Lujiazui and finish your visit by ascending Shanghai Towerwhich provides a breathtaking bird's-eye view across Shanghai.
7. Go Shopping in Nanjing Road
Nanjing RoadNanjing Road was the earliest commercial street built after Shanghai opened its port. If you have more time after visiting the Bundtaking a detour to Nanjing Road is a good option. Besides famous brand stores and shopping mallsthe well-designed "golden belt" in the road is also worth a visit.
If you are not interested in those resplendent malls and shopsyou may travel with a local guide and visit some famous traditional stores inherited from old Shanghaisuch as:
- Zhen Lao Da Fang: This store is believed to cook the best fresh meat mooncakes.
- Shao Wan Sheng: It specializes in creating wine-preserved food.
- Zhang Xiao Quan: This is a popular scissor-maker and was founded about 400 years ago.
Enjoy a Shanghai Walking Tour with Us
Enjoy walking Shanghai with us.Taking a Shanghai walking tour with us will give you a more enjoyable experience as you will tour with a local guide who will suggest the most suitable walking route for you and tell you lots of stories about the places you visit.
You may want to see some of our customizable tours including a Shanghai city walk:
You could check out our Shanghai spotlight experiences for more things to do in or around Shanghaior let us create a tour for you.