Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Shanghai's Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street sets an exemplary model for Asia's shopping scene. It's positioned for the middle-end and high-end brands and is visited by both the locals and visitors alike.

The "Big Four" are can't-misses: the Shanghai No. 1 Department Store, Yong An Company, Shanghai Fashion Company, and the Shanghai First Food Chain Development Company. The well-established Shanghai No. 1 Department Store stands right where Tibet Middle and Nanjing East Road converge. In its previous incarnation as Daxin Company before 1949, the department store was the moust illustrious building on Nanjing East Road. Although today it's no longer a symbol of chic and trends, it's still paradigmatic of Shanghai's commercial culture.

It's quite an experience to cruise through this 1200-meter pedestrian street paved with colored bricks and stones, with pedestrian traffic flowing irresistably and sightseeing trains trundling through small stalls and boutique shops. This is one of the best places where one can savor up Shanghai's signature modern metropolitan style, with the rickshaws, incense shops, and classic cigarette ads being a thing of past.

Stroll eastwards from Henan Road to Shanghai's most celebrated attraction: The Bund. You feel you are no longer in the 21st century and are transported back in time; you feel you landed in Charles Dickens' London seen only in photos. Narrow streets, tall buildings, grey walls, high ceilings, pointed roofs - everything has a story to tell. In the glow of the setting sun, the Bund exudes the unique charms of the 30's and 40's of the last century.

Transportation: Metro Line 2 & 10: East Nanjing Road Station; Metro Line 1 & 2 & 8: People Square Station