Nanjing Pedestrian Road Shanghai — Shopping, Food & Travel Guide 2025
- Arron Goh
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
Why Visit Nanjing Pedestrian Road?
Known as “China’s No.1 Commercial Street”, Nanjing Pedestrian Road (南京路步行街) is the busiest shopping street in Shanghai and one of the most famous in China. It stretches for over 5 kilometers and is packed with shops, malls, restaurants, and street snacks — making it a must-visit for both day and night.
We visited and loved the buzzing atmosphere, neon lights, and mix of luxury brands with affordable local finds.
Essential Visitor Info
📍 Location: Huangpu District, Shanghai (connects People’s Square to the Bund)
🚇 Nearest Metro: People’s Square Station (人民广场站, Lines 1/2/8) or East Nanjing Road Station (南京东路站, Lines 2/10)
🕒 Opening Hours: Street is open 24 hours, but shops typically run 10:00am – 10:00pm
🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
What to Expect at Nanjing Road
🛍️ Shopping: From luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Gucci to affordable Chinese fashion brands.
🍢 Street Food: Skewers, dumplings, and snacks especially near smaller alleys.
🏙️ Night Lights: The street glows with neon at night, making it one of Shanghai’s most photogenic spots.
🚋 Sightseeing Tram: A small sightseeing train runs along the pedestrian street — a fun ride if you don’t feel like walking.
Tips from Our Visit
Best Time to Visit: Evenings — when the neon lights turn on and the street feels most alive.
Crowds: Be prepared for heavy crowds, especially weekends and holidays.
Dining: Step into nearby alleys for authentic food at better prices than the main street.
Nearby Attractions
The Bund (外滩): Just a short walk from East Nanjing Road.
People’s Square (人民广场): At the other end of the street — home to museums and parks.
Yu Garden (豫园): A quick metro ride away.
📍 See how we included Nanjing Road in our Shanghai 4D3N Itinerary.