At five in the morning, a light mist still drifts over Wukang Road.
An elderly man rides an old-fashioned bicycle, his basket filled with freshly bought youtiao and soy milk. He stops in front of a red brick building, takes out his key, and opens that weathered wooden door—this building has been his home in Shanghai for sixty years.
Meanwhile, two kilometers away in Lujiazui, the lights of Shanghai Tower are already glowing. Young financial elites scroll through their phones in the elevators, preparing for another day of battle.
This is Shanghai. On one side, the down-to-earth alley life; on the other, the dazzling modern metropolis.
Province Profile#
- Location: Eastern China coast, mouth of the Yangtze River
- Best Travel Season: March-May (spring), September-November (autumn)
- Highlights: Haipai culture, alley charm, coffee city, fashion capital
Must-Visit Attractions#
The Bund: Museum of World Architecture#
First time in Shanghai, you’ll definitely go to the Bund.
But don’t just walk through casually. Stand by the Huangpu River and carefully observe the 52 old buildings behind you in various styles—Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Classical… They were built in the 1920s-1930s as headquarters for various banks and foreign firms.
Best Experience: At 8 PM, the lights come on, and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the river reflect in the water. In that moment, you’ll understand what “Century-Old Shanghai” means.
Wukang Road: The Most Beautiful Small Street#
If you’re tired of crowded attractions, take a stroll down Wukang Road.
This road, less than a kilometer long, is lined with plane trees and old Western-style houses. Wukang Mansion stands like a giant ship at the intersection, its red brick walls glowing warmly in the sunlight.
There are no major attractions here, only small surprises—a bookstore hidden in an old house, a café around the corner, an elderly grandmother watering flowers on her balcony.
Best Experience: At three in the afternoon, find a café, order a pour-over coffee, and watch the plane tree leaves drifting in the wind.
Yu Garden and City God Temple: Old Shanghai’s Bustle#
Yu Garden is the most complete Ming Dynasty garden in Shanghai, with pavilions, rockeries, and ponds in typical Jiangnan garden style.
But more interesting is the City God Temple commercial area next door. It’s packed with snack shops, time-honored brands, and small commodity stalls. Nanxiang xiaolongbao, pear syrup candy, five-spice beans… all kinds of aromas drift through the air.
Best Experience: Arrive before 9 AM to avoid the crowds, visit Yu Garden first, then have a basket of xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Mantou Shop.
Special Experiences#
Alley Walking#
The real Shanghai hides in the alleys.
Recommended spots: Shikumen alleys near Xintiandi, or the creative district of Tianzifang. Narrow lanes with drying poles extending out, elderly aunties sitting at doorways picking vegetables, cats lazily lying on steps.
Coffee Pilgrimage#
Shanghai has the most cafés of any city in the world, over 8,000.
Recommended spots with stories:
- Old Bar Coffee: A vintage café in an old Western house on Wukang Road
- Lumaz Coffee: Small and beautiful on Yongkang Road
- Manner Coffee: Local boutique chain, excellent value
Benbang Cuisine#
Shanghai Benbang cuisine emphasizes “rich oil and red sauce.” Braised pork, sizzling eel, and straw-headed pork intestines are classics.
Recommended: Time-honored restaurants like Lao Zhengxing and Dexing Guan, or refined Benbang restaurants like Yong Fu Hui.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: The metro network is extensive. Download the “Metro Daduhui” app to scan and ride. The maglev train from the airport to the city takes just 8 minutes to Longyang Road.
- Accommodation: For old Shanghai charm, stay near Jing’an Temple or Huaihai Road; for night views, stay near the Bund or Nanjing East Road.
- Note: The Bund and City God Temple are extremely crowded on weekends and holidays—try to go during off-peak times.
Some say Shanghai is a city without a past, only present and future.
But if you’re willing to slow down, walk into those unassuming alleys, and chat with the grandpa at the doorway, you’ll discover—Shanghai’s past is hidden in these everyday moments.
Tomorrow, we head to Jiangsu to see the water towns of “Above there is Heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.”