What's Special About Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road (南京路; pinyin: Nánjīng Lù) is the first and busiest commercial street in Shanghai, and it to Shanghai is what the Fifth Avenue to New York. It starts from the Bund in the east and ends at Yan'an west road in the west, stretching from Jing’an district to Huangpu district with a total length of 5.5km, attracting millions of travelers. It was named after the neighboring city of Shanghai, the capital city of Jiangsu province, Nanjing. As Tibet Middle Road crosses Nanjing Road, it has two sections, namely Nanjing East Road and Nanjing West Road. In some context, the largely pedestrianized Nanjing Road, Nanjing Road Walkway often refers to Nanjing East Road in Huangpu District from Tibet Middle Road to Henan Middle Road and this section is only about 1599 meters. It is mainly a tourist site with all kinds of shopping areas, while Nanjing West Road is the most luxurious commercial street with the highest rent in China, mainly for selling luxury and high-end products. The two roads met on the northern edge of the Shanghai Race Club.

Nanjing Road The Bund Viewing from Nanjing Road

Nanjing East Road (Nanjing Dong Lu 南京东路) - Nanjing Pedestrian Street

• From Tibet Middle Road • To Zhongshan East 1st Road
• Length: 1599m (Nanjing Road Walkway: from Tibet Middle Road to Henan Middle Road )

The history of Nanjing East Road is earlier than that of Nanjing West Road. About 150 years ago, its official name was Parklane built to the bund. Later, the lane had been reconstructed and expanded to the former Nanjing Road. Since its great location, it has become the first commercial street in China. Nowadays, strolling along the road, you can see a bustling scene of all kinds of time-honored shops, pedestrian malls, and crowds. Here are located most of the oldest and largest department stores in Shanghai, some traditional eateries, as well as some domestic retail outlets. There are more than 700 shops on both sides. With the opening up of Shanghai, Nanjing East Road hosts more than 700 shops on both sides of the pedestrian street, which are brands from all over the world, and this commercial street has become a real "first street" in China. 

The four major department stores (Sincere Company, XinXin Company, DaXin Company, Yong'an Company) on the old Nanjing Road have created countless firsts in Asian Department Stores: the first to use escalators in the department, the first to use air-conditioning systems, the first to issue receipts, the first to wear the uniform for service personnel, and the first to integrate department with other businesses such as restaurants, cinemas, casinos, etc.

Also, the prosperous street attracted many celebrities. One of the most famous hotels is located here, where Chiang Kai Shek and Song Meiling got married. You can go straight from Nanjing East Road to the scenic spot, the Bund. From the Bund, you can panorama of Huangpu River, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai International World Financial Center, and so on.

Historic Sites on Nanjing East Road

Nanjing Road Nanjing Road Location Map (click to enlarge)
Nanjing Road Bustling Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road Peace Hotel on Nanjing East Road
Location Number Name of the Building
No.18-20 Peace Hotel和平饭店 (汇中饭店Palace Hotel，1908)
No.99 Jialing Mansion 嘉陵大楼
No.151-171 Meilun Mansion美伦大楼
No.690 Former Site of Sincere Company 先施公司(1917)
No.720 Former Site of XinXin Company 新新公司(1925)
No.830 Former Site of DaXin Company 大新公司(1934)
No.432 Shanghai Lao Fengxiang Jewelry Store 上海老凤祥银楼
No.215 Former Confucius Temple
Leisure Boating at Western Scenic Area of Wuzhen
6 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Bullet Train Tour with Wuzhen Water Town
Itinerary: Shanghai / Hangzhou / Wuzhen / Suzhou / Shanghai
Highlights: The Bund, Shanghai Tower, Wukang Road City Walk, Wuzhen Water Town, West Lake, Linger Garden

Nanjing West Road (Nanjing Xi Lu 南京西路) - Luxury Brands

• From Tibet Middle Road • To Yan'an West Road
• Length: 3833m

Nanjing West Road formerly known as Jing'an Temple Road (靜安寺路) or Bubbling Well Road (涌泉路), was built in the 1860s. In 1862, the concession government extended the Parklane (today's Nanjing East Road) westward through the concession border(now Tibet Middle Road) to Jing'an Temple, and connected with Xujiahui Road (now Huashan Road). It once was a residential area in Shanghai with a large number of mansions and estates. Though most of them have no longer remained. Nanjing West Road has witnessed the development of the city. Now, it hosts Shanghai Exhibition Center, many luxury prestigious historic hotels, high-end shopping centers, fancy restaurants, and office buildings. There are more than 1200 well-known brands, among them, there are more than 750 international brands. Moreover, more than 90 international top brands have flagship stores or exclusive stores here. Many luxury and fashion brands and goods can be found in Nanjing West Road. Therefore, it is the most upscale shopping place in Shanghai.

Historic Sites on Nanjing West Road

Nanjing Road Nanjing West Road Location Map (click to enlarge)
Nanjing Road Jing'an Temple on Nanjing West Road
Location Number Name of the Building
No.104 Pacific Hotel 金门饭店
No.170 Park Hotel 国际饭店
No.216 The Grand Theater 大光明电影院
No.325 Shanghai History Museum 上海历史博物馆
No.702-722 Former Site of Jewish Association 犹太总会
No.770-778 Deyi Mansion 德义大楼
No.801 Tongfu Mansion 同孚大楼
No.868-882 Dahua Apartment 大华公寓
No.934 The Metterhurst Building 麦脱赫斯脱大楼 (泰兴大楼)
No.962 Former Site of Chelsea House
No.1025 Jing’an Mansion静安别墅
No.1400-1418 Former Site of Guo's Mansion 郭宅 (Government Foreign Affairs Office)
No.1686 Jing’an Temple 静安寺
Jack and Emily from UK - Greeting Pine in Yellow Mountain
9 Days Dream Tour to Hangzhou and Yellow Mountain by High Speed Train
Itinerary: Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan
Highlights: The Bund, Lingering Garden, Suzhou Silk Museum, Zhouzhuang Water Town, West Lake, Yellow Mountain, Hongcun and Xidi Ancient Villages

How to Get to Nanjing Road

Located in the city center, Nanjing Road is easy to reach by metro, car, and bus.