Nanjing Road Shanghai in 2026 – A Guide to China’s #1 Shopping Street

Nanjing Road stretches for almost 5 KM from the Bund through to Jing’an Temple, featuring over 600 businesses, including massive modern multi-level shopping malls, historic stores, specialty stores, theatres, world-class hotels, attractions and much more.

Nanjing Road dates back to the Qing Dynasty, and many of the same shops are still trading today. At its eastern end, near the historic Bund, it begins with flagship stores, malls, restaurants, and cafes that lead into a pedestrian street which stretches from Nanjing Road East Metro station through to People’s Square Metro Station. The pedestrian section of Nanjing East Road is the main and most popular area, attracting thousands upon thousands of people daily. After the People’s Square Metro Station, it then becomes Nanjing West Road.

Planning your first visit to Shanghai’s most famous shopping street? This guide tells you exactly where to go, what to expect, how to avoid scams, and whether Nanjing Road is right for your trip.

Quick Facts: Nanjing Road at a Glance

• Total Length – 5.5 km (Bund to Jing’an Temple)
• Best Section for Tourists – East Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (1.2 km)
• Daily Visitors – Over 1 million
• Best Time to Visit – Weekday mornings (10am-12pm) or after 8pm for lights. Avoid weekends, holidays, lunch hours (12-2pm), dinner rush (6-8pm)
• Metro Access – Lines 2 & 10 (East Nanjing Road Station), Lines 1, 2 & 8 (People’s Square)
• Typical Visit Time1 – 4 hours
• Budget Needed – Free to walk; ¥50-200 for snacks/drinks; shopping varies widely
• Safety Level – Very safe, but heavy scam activity (read warnings below)

 

Is Nanjing Road Right For You?

You’ll Love Nanjing Road If You Want To:

• Experience Shanghai’s most iconic pedestrian street with historic architecture and neon lights
• People-watch and soak up the energy of one of the world’s busiest shopping streets
• Connect easily between The Bund and People’s Square
• Shop at historic Chinese department stores from the 1800s
• See Shanghai’s blend of old colonial buildings and modern commerce
• Take incredible night photography with spectacular lighting

Skip It (or Just Pass Through) If You:

• Hate crowds and tourist-heavy areas
• Are looking for authentic local experiences
• Want bargain shopping (most prices are standard or inflated)
• Dislike being approached by street sellers and touts
• Prefer boutique or unique shopping over chain stores

Real Talk from Someone Who’s Been There
Nanjing Road is the Times Square of Shanghai. It’s touristy, crowded, and yes, there are scams to watch for. But here’s the thing: the pedestrian section truly comes alive at night when the neon signs light up the colonial architecture, and walking from People’s Square to The Bund gives you a real sense of Shanghai’s evolution from its 1920s heyday to modern megacity. Just know what you’re getting into, keep your guard up, and you’ll have a good time. On my first visit, I had no plan, and that was a massive mistake! I followed the feeling so to speak and ended up strolling for hours, and whilst mesmerised by it all, I would later realise that I’d missed the truly valuable offerings. It took a few more visits to get my head around it, so my tip is this: follow this guide to the best bits and make a plan your plan to suit.

The Critical Safety Warning: Avoiding Scams

This is important: Nanjing East Road has more scams targeting tourists than anywhere else in Shanghai. Here’s what you absolutely need to know, and the Most Common Scams (And How to Shut Them Down) 

The Tea Ceremony Scam (Most Common)

How it works: Friendly “students” approach you wanting to “practice English” or show you around. They invite you for tea at a “traditional tea house.” The bill arrives: ¥2,000-7,000 (US$280-980).
Your move: Never accept invitations from strangers, even if they seem genuine. Just say “no thanks” and keep walking.

The Bar/KTV Scam

How it works: Attractive women invite solo male travelers for drinks. The bill is ¥15,000+ (US$2,100+). If you refuse to pay, threatening men appear.
Your move: Decline all bar invitations from people you just met on the street.

The Massage Girls

How it works: Women approach offering massage services, leading to extortion or worse.
Your move: Completely ignore. Don’t even make eye contact.

Fake Product Sellers

How it works: People selling “cheap” iPhones, designer bags, or electronics that are either counterfeit or switched with fakes during the transaction.
Your move: Never buy anything from street sellers. Use legitimate stores only.

The Golden Rule for Nanjing Road
If someone approaches YOU on the street, the answer is always “no.” This applies to:

– “Can you take our photo?”
– “Can we practice English with you?”
– “Would you like a massage?”
– “Want to buy iPhone/watch/bag?”
– “Come see our tea ceremony/art show/special shop”

Legitimate interactions in Shanghai don’t start with strangers approaching you in tourist areas. Local Shanghainese rarely do this!

If Approached, Here’s What to Say (and How to Say It)
Use a firm “bù yào” (不要) which means “don’t want” in Chinese. Don’t be polite, don’t explain, don’t engage. Cold shoulder is the local way. If you respond at all, they’ll follow you for blocks.

 

Getting There: The Smart Way

Starting from The Bund, it’s pretty easy, just walk west onto Nanjing East Road (5 minutes), but if you want to fast track to specific sections, try the metro.

For the Pedestrian Street:

• Line 2 or 10 → Nanjing East Road Station – This drops you right at the start of the pedestrian section

For the Middle (Best Starting Point):

• Lines 1, 2, or 8 → People’s Square Station – Walk east for the pedestrian street, west for luxury malls

For Luxury Shopping:

• Lines 2 or 7 → Jing’an Temple Station – Near Plaza 66, HKRI Taikoo Hui, and other high-end malls

Travel Costs & Time

• Metro: ¥3-5 per ride
• Taxi from Pudong Airport: ¥150-200 (45-60 min)
• From Hongqiao Airport: ¥50-80 (30 min)

Pro tip: Use the DiDi app (Chinese Uber) – it’s 15-30% cheaper than street taxis and you can see the route in real-time.

 

 

What to Actually Do on Nanjing Road

The Must-See Pedestrian Section (1-2 Hours)

The pedestrian street runs from Henan Road to People’s Square (about 1.2 km). This is the heart of Nanjing Road and what most people picture.

What makes it special:

• No cars – just a wide walkway with colonial-era buildings on both sides
• Electric tram cars (¥5) if you don’t want to walk
• Massive neon signs and spectacular lighting at night
• Street performers and buskers
• Historic department stores that have been operating since the 1800s

When to go:

• For photos: After sunset (6-10pm) when the lights come on
• To avoid crowds: Weekday mornings (10-11am)
• To people-watch: Early evening (5-7pm)

Historic Shops Worth Seeing

These stores have been operating since the Qing Dynasty. You don’t need to buy anything, but they’re part of Shanghai’s retail history:

• Shanghai Laojiefu Department – CN: 海老介福商厦 (1860) – cloths, silks, and fabrics
• Heng Da Li Clocks and Watches Co. – CN:亨达利钟表公司 (1864) – high-end watch and clock sales and repairs
• Cai Tong De Pharmacy – CN: 蔡同德堂 (1882) – four stories of Chinese Traditional Medicines
• Shao Wan Sheng – CN: 邵万生 (1852) – Why go: Specialty local foods
• Duo Yun Xuan – CN: 朵云轩 (1900) – Why go: Chinese calligraphy and painting
• Lao Feng Xiang Jewellers – CN: 老凤祥银楼 (1848) – Why go: jewellery, gifts, and souvenirs
• Heng De Li Clocks and Watches Co. – CN: 亨得利钟表公司 – Why go: Luxury clocks and watches
• Guanlong Photographic Equipment Co. – CN: 冠龙照相器材公司 – Why go: high-end photographic equipment

Modern Malls on Nanjing West Road

After People’s Square, the street becomes Nanjing West Road with upscale shopping:

• HKRI Taikoo Hui – CN: 兴业太古汇 – Why go: Houses the world’s largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery (30,000 sq ft) with its own roasting facility, bars, and Shanghai-specific drinks. Location: 789 Nanjing West Road. Vibe: Modern, spacious, international brands
• Plaza 66 – CN: 恒隆广场 – Why go: High-end luxury (Hermès, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Cartier). Location: 1266 Nanjing West Road. Vibe: Upscale, polished, expensive
• Westgate Mall – CN: 梅龙镇广场 – Why go: Mid-range shopping, good for practical purchases. Location: 1038 Nanjing West Road
• Shanghai New World Co., Ltd. (New World City) – CN: 上海新世界股份有限公司 – Why go: 12 floors of entertainment, shopping, and dining. Home to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Location: 68 Nanjing W Rd
• TAG Heuer – China’s largest store for the Swiss watch brand. Location: 1037 Nanjing W Rd
• CITIC Square – CN: 中信泰富广场 – five floors of fashion and dining. Location: 1168 Nanjing W Rd
• Shanghai Center – CN: 上海商城 – three floors of luxury brand name fashion such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Paul & Shark and more. Location: 1376 Nanjing W Rd.

Cultural Stops Along the Way

Jing’an Temple (静安寺)

Ancient Buddhist temple, restored in recent times, that dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty almost 800 years ago, well worth a visit. There is a delicious vegetarian restaurant and bakery on it’s Nanjing West Road frontage.

• Buddhist temple dating to 247 AD (rebuilt 1915)
• Beautiful golden pagoda
• Vegetarian restaurant at the entrance
• Hours: 7:30am-5pm daily
• Getting there: Jing’an Temple Station, Exit 1

Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆)

The world’s largest museum of Chinese bronze works, also China’s number one museum for art and artifacts.

• World’s largest collection of Chinese bronze works
• Entry: ¥20
• Hours: 9am-5pm daily

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (上海城市规划展示馆)

Open from 9AM-5PM Closed on Mondays – sounds boring and bureaucratic, but you are sure to be amazed. Discover how planners envisage the future of Shanghai and be stunned by the to-scale model of inner Shanghai that takes u an entire floor.

• Features a massive scale model of the entire city
• Shows Shanghai’s future development plans
• Entry: ¥30
• Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays)

 

Eating on Nanjing Road

The Reality Check

Nanjing Road isn’t known for great dining. Most restaurants here are tourist-oriented with inflated prices and average food. That said, here’s where to go if you’re hungry:

For Quick Street Food:

• Small vendors near the pedestrian street sell Shanghai snacks
• Expect ¥10-30 for items like 生煎包 (sheng jian bao – pan-fried buns)
• Watch locals to see which stalls have lines – that’s your quality indicator

For Sit-Down Meals:

• Side streets off Nanjing Road have better value than main-street restaurants
• Food courts in malls (upper floors) offer safer bets with multiple options
• Exit 1 of East Nanjing Road Station leads to food courts upstairs

Better Strategy:

Walk to nearby neighborhoods for authentic local food. The French Concession (15 minutes south) or streets around People’s Square have far better options.

Where to Stay (If You Must)

Honest answer: Most Shanghai residents avoid staying on Nanjing East Road. It’s very touristy, loud until late, and you’ll be constantly approached by sellers. But if convenience to this area matters to you:

Best Areas to Stay Near Nanjing Road

Nanjing West Road (Jing’an Area)

• More upscale, fewer hassles than East Nanjing
• Near luxury malls and Jing’an Temple
• Better restaurants and cafes
• Good for: Business travelers, luxury shoppers
• Hotels: JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai Centre serviced apartments

The Bund Area

• Historic, walkable to East Nanjing Road
• Stunning river views
• More expensive but worth it for location
• Good for: First-time visitors, photographers
• Hotels: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Waldorf Astoria, Peninsula Shanghai

People’s Square

• Central metro hub with 3 lines
• Near museums and parks
• Mix of business and tourist hotels
• Good for: Budget travelers wanting central location
• Hotels: JW Marriott Tomorrow Square, Park Hotel Shanghai

Better Alternative: French Concession

• More authentic Shanghai vibe
• Tree-lined streets, cafes, boutiques
• 15-20 minutes by metro to Nanjing Road
• Good for: Solo travelers, couples, anyone wanting local atmosphere
• Hotels: Capella Shanghai, Pudi Boutique Hotel

Our Suggested Plan for Nanjing Road

For First-Time Visitors (3-4 Hours)

Morning/Afternoon (10am-1pm):

1. Start at Nanjing East Road Station (Metro Line 2 or 10)
2. Walk the pedestrian street toward People’s Square (1 hour)
3. Stop at Shanghai No.1 Department Store – go to upper floors for city views
4 .Visit Shanghai Museum or Urban Planning Exhibition Hall at People’s Square (1-2 hours)
5. Quick lunch at a food court or side street restaurant

Evening (7-9pm):
6. Return to pedestrian street to see the neon lights
7. Walk toward The Bund for skyline photos
8. Grab dinner in The Bund area or French Concession

For Quick Visits (1 Hour)

Just walk the pedestrian section between Nanjing East Road Station and People’s Square

• Go at sunset for the best lighting
• Take photos, watch street performers, then leave

For Luxury Shoppers (Half Day)

Start at Jing’an Temple Station
1. Hit Plaza 66 for luxury brands
2. Visit HKRI Taikoo Hui and the giant Starbucks
3. Walk to CITIC Square and Westgate Mall
4. Stop at Jing’an Temple

Smart Visiting Tips

Timing Strategy

• Beat the lunch rush: Shop 10am-12pm, eat after 2pm
• Beat the dinner rush: Eat before 6pm or after 8:30pm
• Best photography: Blue hour (6-7pm in winter, 7-8pm in summer)
• Avoid entirely: National Holiday weeks (October 1-7, Chinese New Year), weekends

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll walk 3-5 km easily)
• Phone fully charged for photos
• WeChat Pay or Alipay set up (many places don’t take cards)
• Light jacket (malls are heavily air-conditioned)
• Patience for crowds

What NOT to Do

• Don’t engage with anyone who approaches you first
• Don’t buy electronics or luxury goods from street vendors
• Don’t assume restaurant prices without seeing a menu
• Don’t stop to look at touts selling things – they’ll swarm you
• Don’t put your wallet in your back pocket (pickpockets in crowds)

Accessibility Notes

• Pedestrian street is flat and wheelchair accessible
• Metro stations have elevators
• Most malls have good accessibility
• Can be difficult during peak crowds for anyone with mobility concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nanjing Road safe at night?
Yes, very safe in terms of violent crime. Shanghai has extremely low crime rates. The issue is scams, not safety. The street is well-lit, crowded, and actively policed. Just maintain awareness about scammers approaching you.
How long should I spend on Nanjing Road?
One hour minimum for the pedestrian section walk-through. 3-4 hours if you’re visiting museums and taking photos. A full day if you’re seriously shopping the luxury malls on West Nanjing Road.
Can I bargain at stores on Nanjing Road?
No. Department stores and brand shops have fixed prices. Only small souvenir sellers might negotiate, but prices are already inflated for tourists. Better bargaining is at markets elsewhere in Shanghai.
Is East Nanjing Road or West Nanjing Road better?
East for history, atmosphere, and the pedestrian experience. West for luxury shopping and fewer hassles. Most first-time visitors should see East, while serious shoppers should hit West.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. Metro signage is in English, major stores have English-speaking staff, and you can get by with translation apps. That said, basic phrases help and make you less of a target for scams.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) have the best weather. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is cold but the Christmas lights are spectacular. Avoid the first week of October (National Day) when crowds triple.

The Bottom Line: Should You Visit Nanjing Road?

Yes, visit – but manage your expectations. This isn’t an authentic local experience or a hidden gem. It’s Shanghai’s tourist central, and that’s both its strength and weakness.

Come for the incredible nighttime atmosphere, the historic architecture lit up in neon, and the sheer energy of one of the world’s busiest streets. Walk from People’s Square to The Bund via the pedestrian section, take some photos, grab a snack, and soak it in.

But don’t spend your whole day here. An hour or two is enough unless you’re specifically shopping. Use Nanjing Road as a connector between The Bund and People’s Square, then escape to better neighborhoods like the French Concession, Tianzifang, or local streets where you’ll find the real Shanghai.

Perfect Combinations:

1. Morning: French Concession cafes and shopping
2. Afternoon: Nanjing Road pedestrian street
3. Evening: The Bund for sunset and skyline views

OR

1. Morning: Shanghai Museum at People’s Square
2. Afternoon: Nanjing Road walk to The Bund
3. Evening: Dinner in Xintiandi or French Concession

Our tip: First time in Shanghai? Start with The Essential Guide to The Bund which covers Shanghai’s most iconic waterfront and connects perfectly with Nanjing Road.

 

Nanjing Road Map

On the map you can see the transparent orange overlay, that’s the full length of Nanjing Road. The blue line in the middle of that is the pedestrian st. It also features the metro stations and my personal picks for the top places to stay.