Let's Talk About...
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Sure, I'll translate it for you.
Hey, foreign friends! A Shanghai local tells you which tourist attractions we locals rarely visit (just my personal opinion).
Note in advance that this is purely my fragmented thoughts, and not representative of all of Shanghai's residents. Since you've come this far, there's no problem if you still want to experience these places, but just a precaution for you.
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Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (referring to the part with lots of tourists)
- I must tell you, Nanjing Road isn't really a place that Shanghai natives would frequent. Why? Too many people! It can push you into a "meat pie" on holidays.
- Cultural trivia: Nanjing Road used to be one of the busiest shopping streets in Shanghai. There are a lot of long-standing brands and now it’s mainly for visitors who want to feel the hustle and bustle of “China's first business street.”
- Warning!: If you only want to feel the crowdedness, go ahead! But if you want to buy something, most chain brands are ubiquitous so unique small stores are hard to find. Beware of pickpockets and “forced sales”!
- Local tip: If you do want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, consider Nanjing West Road (near Jing'an Temple) or Huaihai Middle Road, which attract more local residents and have a denser concentration of brands.
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The Bund Crossing Tunnel
- Well, you have to understand, it can't be summed up with just a few words. This tunnel crosses the Huangpu River through a ride under the river bed. Shanghai locals would usually cross the river by ferry or metro. Who would spend this money?
- Cultural trivia: The Huangpu River divides Shanghai into Puxi (home to historical areas like the Bund) and Pudong (known as a modern new district that includes Oriental Media City). Crossing the river has several options available.
- Warning!: Poor cost-benefit ratio; if you only want to cross the river, ferries (just 2 RMB) provide stunning views at low prices. The metro is also so convenient. Except for kids who might think it fascinating, adults would feel a bit “huh…is that all?”.
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Certain "trending" but underwhelming dining experiences
- A few are talked about online and famous for long queues, but their taste might be...subpar, even falling short of nearby street-side small eateries.
- Cultural trivia: Shanghai natives love food, but we trust old traditions and taste rather than some suddenly hyped-up “trendy” restaurants.
- Warning!: Don't blindly follow trends; look up reviews or ask the hotel front desk for any local recommendations before queuing for hours to try something that might not worth it.
- Local tip: Try those hidden small eateries tucked away in the old alleys or areas near markets frequented by locals. Examples include Yuannan Lu food street (though heavily tourists but some long-standing brands are still great) and area-specific lanes with unique features in each district.
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City God Temple handicraft market (specifically those selling forcefully)
- Yu Garden and City God Palace are places rich in cultural history and worth seeing. However, people seldom buy souvenirs at these peripheral markets.
- Cultural trivia: City God Palace is a Daoist temple and Yu Garden is a private garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. This is the core area of the old town of Shanghai with many traditional buildings and delicacies.
- Warning!: Beware of expensive knock-off goods, prices can be inflated and remember to haggle! Watch out for the so-called “century-old store's” signs; you get the idea.
- Local tip: Yu Garden's garden itself is beautiful, worth exploring. If looking for soup buns, consider going to renowned brands with consistent taste assurance (such as Nanxiang Mantou Store, though queues may still exist) or asking local friends if they have any favorite hidden gems.
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Tzim Fong (on holidays and weekends)
- Tzim Fong was once an arts-focused art park with numerous unique small shops, but commercialization has degraded its experience. Crowds become unbearable, making shopping difficult.
- Cultural trivia: Tzim Fong is a unique stone-laneway building cluster remodeled in Shanghai. Narrow lanes lead to dense shops. The style blends Chinese and Western architecture, epitomizing Shanghai's uniqueness.
- Warning!: Crowded; narrow lanes packed with people, making shopping hard. Homogenized goods; similar items sold across shops at high prices.
- Local tip: If you truly want to go, try visiting on weekdays when crowds thin. Or explore nearby "Siming Gongjian" or "Wukang Road", where environment is better and ambiance more fashionable.
Lastly, travel is about having fun, so my tips are just there to allow you to play more wisely. Shanghai has many appealing spots; the key is finding ones suitable for you. Have fun exploring Shanghai!
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The Oriental Pearl Tower? If you've actually been, consider your Shanghai citizenship revoked!
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That 'Romance of the Song Dynasty' show? I've only ever seen it on Xiaohongshu.
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What's 'Romance of the Song Dynasty'? Is that in Shanghai? Never heard of it.
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Haichang Ocean Park!!!! Went once on a school trip, it was absolutely unbearable.
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That one's a massive tourist trap.
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City God Temple? Going once in a lifetime is more than enough.
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I wouldn't say that. Actually, a lot of people go to the City God Temple to buy gold.
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I've never really thought of Shanghai as a tourist city. No idea what there is to do for fun.
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True. On weekends, we usually drive ourselves or take the high-speed train to nearby provinces and cities.
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The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.
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Hahahaha. I fell for that one when I first came to Shanghai.
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Nanjing East Road, City God Temple... they're really close to me, but I haven't been in over ten years. It's all tourists, just shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
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I went to Nanjing East Road yesterday... it wasn't fun.
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City God Temple and Jing'an Temple – I've lived in Shanghai for over 20 years and have only ever passed by, never actually gone in.
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I live in Jing'an and I've never even been to Jing'an Temple.
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Qibao Old Street? I don't even know what there is to do there.
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The food! The food's pretty good there.
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So where do locals actually hang out? Any recommendations?