Nanjing Road is segmented into two by the People’s Square, a massive park which is considered the cultural heart of Shanghai. The portion which stretches from the Bund to the People’s Square across the Huangpu District is called Nanjing East, while the portion that runs toward Jing’ an Temple through the Jing’ an District is known as Nanjing West. The locals sometimes refer only to the Nanjing East portion of the street when they talk about “Nanjing Road”; this was the original length of the road as it was christened in 1945, before it was extended.
The two sides of Nanjing Road have distinctive and unique personalities. Nanjing East exudes the more historical ambience, being the address of some of the city’s oldest and most prestigious department stores, hotels and restaurants such as Peace Hotel and Park Hotel. The hundred year old Central Market, an outdoor market famous in modern times for its great electronic bargains, and the Pedestrian Mall are permanent fixtures of this area. However, the somewhat down-market institutions do not detract from its air of historic stateliness; on the contrary, it seamlessly blends together to create a robust, old-world charm.
Nanjing West, on the other hand, enjoys worldwide fame as the haven of all things luxury and high-end. This area of the street is not for bargain-hunters, as the prices of most goods nearly equal anything one might find in the Champs-Elysees. Lined with glamorous shopping plazas, five star hotels and imposing old mansions now converted into office buildings, the awe-inspiring streetscape of Nanjing West personifies everything China aspires to become in the future. The Shanghai Exhibition Centre is a landmark building in this area of Shanghai’s main retail thoroughfare.
However, as developmental projects keep stepping in and more businesses flock for an address on this streets, both Nanjing West and East are fast losing their traditional façade as international hotels and modern shopping malls open on both sides. Today, Nanjing Road houses over 600 world-class brands, from food franchises such as Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald’s to elite stores such as Mont Blanc and Tiffany’s. In comparison, over a 100 traditional boutiques and stores still thrive interspersed among them, selling the signature Chinese wares of silks, jade and embroidery.
Nanjing Road also features some of the most revered cultural institutions in the country, such as the Shanghai Museum (the first of its kind in the country), the Shanghai Grand Opera Palace (one of the best opera houses in the world), the Beijing Opera and the Jing’ an Temple, which is over 1700 years old.
There are few experiences comparable to an evening stroll down this avenue, drinking in the aromas of its open air bars and cafes and being serenaded by street musicians as you are dazzled by the bright lights and architectural wonders flanking the length of the historic street.
If you are on a visit to Shanghai, the best way to avoid missing out on essential sights such as Nanjing Road is by staying at a quality centralized hotel or serviced apartments Shanghai. Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai is a well-recommended choice for those seeking luxury serviced accommodation Shanghai, providing the best in security and facilities for every kind of traveller.
