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The Introduction of Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Nanjing Road is famous as the first shopping street in China and the busiest shopping center in Shanghai.
It boasts more than 600 shops including old shops, famous shops and shops with distinctive features. The Pedestrian-only Nanjing Road has become the largest round the clock shopping center in the city, in the country and even in Asia, which is pedestrianized.

Nanjing Road is located in the city center, running in a west-east direction. Its eastern section is in Huangpu District and extends from The Bund west to People's Square. The western section begins at People's Square and continues westward towards Jing'an District. This section is known for its luxurious shopping centers. It is the world's longest shopping district, around 6 km long, and attracts over 1 million visitors daily...

After the Opium War (1839-1842), Shanghai became a treaty port. Nanjing Road was first in the British Concession, and then the International Settlement. Importing large quantities of foreign goods, it became the earliest shopping street in Shanghai. However, in the early 20th century, there were only four department stores along this stretch, famously named one of the World's Seven Great Roads in the 1930s.

Over time, mammoth changes have taken place here. The street was beginning to look a little down at heel and Huaihai Road was pulling the wealthier customers away from here. Big traditional stores no longer dominate the street since modern shopping malls, specialty stores, theatres, and international hotels have mushroomed on both sides of the street. Today, over 600 businesses on the street offer countless famous brands and new fashions.

As a rough generalization, the eastern section is more historical but these days a little down- market, while the western section is brash, modern and caters more to the status-conscious luxury shopper. A large part of the eastern section (between People's Park and Henan Road Middle) is now reserved for pedestrians after having been redesigned by a French architect.

In the evenings, the street looks at its best, with neon lights and advertising billboards illuminating the glorious buildings along the road. Open-air bars, abstract sculptures and lingering sounds from street musicians enhance evening strolls. A trackless sightseeing train provides a comfortable tour of the night-transformed pedestrian street.

Apart from the shopping and eating, the street is a festival center as well, especially during the holidays of Christmas and the Chinese New Year.