Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shanghai
Local Life
Insider tips to help you find the real city
Shanghai is much more than the Bund and Xintiandi - to truly experience the
city, you need to get under its skin, an experience best had by exploring small
lanes, leafy side streets and old alleyways.
East Nanjing Road (
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)
› Historic shops
› People watching
Once China's most famous shopping street, E Nanjing Rd is perennially thick with eager
shoppers, out-of-towners and neon signs illuminating the night. Take a deep breath and
plunge in, but shrug off English-speaking girls dragging victims to overpriced cafes.
Backstreets & Alleyways (
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)
› Temples
› Antique vendors
Explore the Old Town, following twisting alleyways and stopping to contemplate yellow-
walled temples along the way. There are some fantastic spots here to pick up souvenirs,
from faux antiques and local knick-knacks to tailor-made clothing.
Concession-Era Architecture (
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)
› Famous residences
› Cute boutiques
The French Concession's tree-lined lanes are a world away from Shanghai's busy central
neighbourhoods. It's all on a very human scale in this part of town, so take the time to
browse through the local boutiques and admire the stylistically diverse century-old villas as
you go.
