What to do and see in Puxi (Downtown Shanghai), Shanghai Region: The Best Historic Walking Areas

May 22, 2021 Russell Mellin

The largest city in China is also its most cosmopolitan, offering visitors a chance to experience the past, present, and future all at once. The Huangpu River splits Shanghai into two districts: Pudong and Puxi. The Pudong skyline looks like it was ripped from the Jetsons, with the bulbous Oriental Pearl TV and Radio Tower looking a bit like a two headed lollipop. On the Puxi side, you can walk the Bund riverside district to get a taste of old Shanghai.
Restaurants in Shanghai

1. The Bund (Wai Tan)

Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai China
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,488 reviews

The Bund (Wai Tan)

This is a designated section of Shanghai’s port along the Huang Pu River lined with beautiful neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade that is packed with tourists, locals and street sellers.

Reviewed By gollyg2017 - Shanghai, China

This is where the vast spread of this huge city really connects-the true centre of Shanghai.A great view of both sides of the river- the 19th and early 20th century ornamental British and European buildings on one side, and the futuristic boldly designed skyscrapers on the other. No scammers or pickpockets to worry about here,as it's heavily guarded.Nice for a brisk walk during the day, but amazing to stroll and gaze in wonder at night with all the lighting! Keep walking and you'll find the ferry.Its a 10 minute ride to the other side, and only about 2 or 3 rmb per person!Do your research, and find a fancy restaurant or bar looking across the river to relax and finish off the evening. You can't go wrong!

2. Former French Concession

Puxi Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,964 reviews

Former French Concession

A residential area of Shanghai once designated for the French, the French Concession is popular with tourists and expats, and appreciated for its cafes, tree-lined avenues, and tudor houses.

Reviewed By Hugary1 - Sydney, Australia

Part of our walking tour with Penny which also took in The Old Town, Yu Gardens Markets, Confucius Temple, a house were Albert Einstein stated in the 1920's and the oldest and largest house which is to be renovated. Penny was a fantastic guide who picked us at the hotel and organised transport to a couple of the attractions. Her English was outstanding and her knowledge was vast and extensive. We really enjoyed her commentary and general conversation. At the end of the tour she helped us get a Metro card and put enough funds to keep us going for 3 days of city travel. That gave us great freedom to explore the city and points further out and for that we are very grateful. She went above and beyond. The walk showed us areas that will be demolished soon. Houses left and bricked up. People on the day we walked were being served with their date to leave. Then onto the last of the areas still fully populated with its quaint shops and wonderful market place. These are sites that are disappearing and we felt that we were seeing a passing of a way of life in this city. The Temple was a place of calm and quite in a busy city and penny gave us the history behind it in a clearly articulated way. I suggest you get to see this before it all disappears.

3. Columbia Circle

No.1262 Yan'an Xi Lu, Shangsheng Xinsuo, Shanghai China
Excellent
67%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Columbia Circle

4. Huxinting Teahouse (Huxinting Chashi)

No.257 Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China +86 21 6373 6950
Excellent
27%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 166 reviews

Huxinting Teahouse (Huxinting Chashi)

Reviewed By TumiRD - Penang Island, Malaysia

In looking for a Tea House, we encounter this gem where we had a true Tea House experience. They had 2 ladies playing folkloric instruments and singing. It was our first stop in Shanghai, and amazing welcome to China with this scene. We selected our teas, and when the waiter came she brought the tea plus some typical snacks such as boiled quail eggs, and some sweets. We had a great time trying all those new things. And the table we were add had a view of the Yu garden. It's totally worth stopping by this historical place

5. Fanguonong Street

No.997 Qiujiang Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai 200000 China
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

Fanguonong Street

6. Tian Zi Fang

No.210 Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000 China +86 21 5465 7531 http://www.tianzifang.cn/
Excellent
42%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,005 reviews

Tian Zi Fang

Reviewed By LoveTravelling1116 - Singapore, Singapore

Tian Zi Fang is the quintessential tourist heaven for souvenir-hunting shopaholic. Its intertwined narrow pathways are filled with numerous adorable shops, with each specializing in diverse variety of products. Though this attraction is not as vast in space as Yuyuan, the quality of souvenirs is not any inferior. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to purchase magnets of unique design, distinctive from Yuyuan’s one. I happened to chance upon a Taiwanese food store named Super Fries selling long fried potatoes fries with different toppings. As a French Fries lover, I quickly bought one packet to try, only to realise that this was the worst French Fries I had ever tasted in my whole life. I forced myself to finish the entire packet. It neither has the potato flavour nor did it taste crispy, but it was just extremely bland. Do note that there is limited food selling within this attraction site. For vegetarians visiting Tian Zi Fang, there is a nearby vegetarian restaurant named Super Vegan restaurant selling authentic Chinese cuisine. This restaurant is located at a shopping mall next to Dapuqiao station, which is the nearest train station to Tian Zi Fang. If you are here for shopping, do visit its nearby Buddha-glass-sculpture museum called Liuli China Museum, for some awe-inspiring aesthetics immersion, to perfect your trip for the day.

7. Tianzifang

210 Taikang Road Da Pu Qiao, Huangpu, Shanghai China
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

Tianzifang

8. Zhenru Ancient Town

Lanxi Road Putuo District, Shanghai China
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

Zhenru Ancient Town

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