Thing to do
Wukang Road and Anfu Road walk
A three-kilometre walk through the former French Concession, from László Hudec's Wukang Mansion along plane-tree-lined Wukang Road to the shops and cafés of Anfu Road.
East Nanjing Road and the Bund walk
A self-guided walk from People's Square along East Nanjing Road's 1.2-kilometre pedestrian street to the Bund, finishing with the short ferry ride across to Lujiazui.
At a glance
- Type
- Shopping street and self-guided walk
- Area
- Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Good to know
- Pedestrian street
- Free
- Metro at both ends
- Ferry crossing to Lujiazui
Why we recommend it
East Nanjing Road is the city's main shopping street leading to the Bund, and the classic way to arrive at the river on foot. In 1845 the first stretch, then known as Park Lane, ran inland from the river to Henan Road. It was extended to Zhejiang Road in 1854 and to Xizang Road in 1862, the year the Municipal Council named it Nanking Road. In the early twentieth century eight large department stores opened along it.
Today the section between Middle Xizang Road and Middle Henan Road is a pedestrian street about 1.2 kilometres long and 28 metres wide, laid out in 2000. The last stretch from Henan Road down to the Bund was pedestrianised in 2019 and 2020, so you can now walk all the way to the river without crossing heavy traffic. The street is lined with department stores, flagship shops and old food brands.
A good route, suggested in the city government's own walking guide, starts at People's Square and heads east. Food stops along the way include the First Food Store and Shen Dacheng, and the guide suggests trying a fresh meat mooncake or Nanxiang steamed buns as you walk. At the river end you pass the Peace Hotel before stepping onto the Bund promenade. From there, walk south to Jinling Road and take the public ferry across to Dongchang Road in Lujiazui, then follow the riverside to the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Sunset Promenade. The guide allows five to seven hours for the whole loop with stops.
The walk suits first-time visitors, families and anyone who wants a single route that links shopping, food and the main skyline views. Weekday mornings are quieter, while evenings bring the lights on both banks of the river. National holidays are extremely crowded, so plan around them if you can.
For transport, People's Square station on Lines 1, 2 and 8 is at the western end, and East Nanjing Road station on Lines 2 and 10 sits near the Bund end. You can cut the walk short at either. West Nanjing Road continues beyond People's Square towards Jing'an Temple, with upmarket malls such as Plaza 66 and HKRI Taikoo Hui.
East Nanjing Road and the Bund walk FAQs
How long is East Nanjing Road pedestrian street?
About 1.2 kilometres, running from Middle Xizang Road to Middle Henan Road, with the last stretch to the Bund also pedestrianised since 2019 and 2020.
Is it free?
Yes. It is a public street.
Where should you start?
At People's Square, walking east towards the river and the Bund.
What should you eat on the way?
The city's walking guide suggests fresh meat mooncakes or Nanxiang steamed buns, and names the First Food Store and Shen Dacheng as stops.
How do you cross to Pudong afterwards?
Take the public ferry from Jinling Road wharf to Dongchang Road in Lujiazui.
How long does the full walk take?
About five to seven hours with stops, including the ferry and the Lujiazui riverside.
Which metro stations serve the street?
People's Square (Lines 1, 2 and 8) and East Nanjing Road (Lines 2 and 10).
When is the best time to go?
Weekday mornings for space, or evenings for the lights on the river.