Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is the most famous shopping street in China and one of the busiest in the world. Running east from People's Square to the edge of the Bund, its central stretch — Nanjing Road East — is a broad pedestrian boulevard packed day and night with shoppers, neon signs and century-old Chinese department stores. Walking it is less about any single purchase than about feeling the sheer commercial energy of Shanghai, a city that has been China's shop window since the 1800s.

Crowds on the Nanjing Road pedestrian street

What to see

The pedestrian section glows after dark with layered neon and giant screens, at its best in the evening. You'll find heritage stores such as the Shanghai No.1 Department Store alongside global flagships, teahouses and snack stalls. A small sightseeing trolley train trundles the length of the street for those who tire of walking. At the western end, People's Square anchors the Shanghai Museum and the city's theatre district; at the eastern end you spill straight onto the Bund and its riverfront colonial architecture, making the whole walk a single continuous sightseeing line.

Street scene with tourist trolley and shoppers

Opening hours

The street itself is open 24 hours and free to walk. Individual shops generally trade from about 10:00 to 22:00, with the neon and crowds peaking in the evening.

Tickets

There is no admission fee — Nanjing Road is a public street. You only pay for what you buy, eat or ride on the trolley.

Getting there

Metro Lines 1, 2 and 8 meet at People's Square (west end), while Line 2 and Line 10 stop at Nanjing Road East (east end). Many visitors walk the full length one way and ride the metro back.

Illuminated historic buildings along the street at night

Best time to visit

Come in the evening to see the neon at full blaze, or early morning if you prefer photographs without crowds. Weekends and holidays are extremely busy; a weekday night is the sweet spot. Pair it with a sunset walk along the adjoining Bund.