Travel in Shanghai

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

1. Location and Overview 

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, located in Huangpu District, Shanghai, stretches 1,033 meters from Xizang Road (West) to Henan Road (East), with a width of 18–28 meters. Opened in 1999, it is one of China’s most iconic commercial hubs and is often called the “No.1 Commercial Street in China”. 

2. Historical Background 

Originally named “Park Lane” in 1845, it was renamed “Nanjing Road” in 1865 by the British concession authorities, commemorating the Treaty of Nanking. The pedestrian section was established in 1999 and underwent modernization in 2019 as part of a national urban renewal initiative. 
 

The Oriental Pearl Tower

The Oriental Pearl Tower is located in the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone of Pudong New District, is one of the iconic landmarks of Shanghai. Standing at 468 meters tall, it was completed in 1994 and is the tallest tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world. The tower consists of 11 spheres of varying sizes, symbolizing the poetic imagery of "large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate." 

Inside the tower, there are multiple observation decks that visitors can reach via high-speed elevators, offering panoramic views of Shanghai. The most famous observation decks are the main deck at 263 meters and the space capsule at 350 meters. 

The Oriental Pearl Tower is not only a tourist attraction but also a broadcasting and television signal transmission center. At night, the tower is illuminated with dazzling lights, making it a stunning sight along the Huangpu River. 

 

Shanghai Museum

1. Overview 

• The Shanghai Museum, established in 1952, is a premier institution dedicated to ancient Chinese art. its architecture symbolizes the traditional Chinese cosmology of "round heaven and square earth," blending modernity with cultural heritage. 
• Collections: Over 120,000 cultural relics, with highlights in bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings. Its bronze collection rivals those of the Palace Museums in Beijing and Taipei. 
   

2. Key Galleries 

• Bronze Gallery: Features ritual vessels and musical instruments from the Shang to Warring States periods, including the “Da Ke Ding” (Western Zhou) with 290-character inscriptions. 
• Ceramics Gallery: Traces the evolution from Neolithic pottery to Ming-Qing porcelain, showcasing iconic pieces like Song Dynasty “Ru Ware” and Yuan blue-and-white porcelain. 
• Calligraphy & Painting: Displays masterpieces by artists such as Emperor Huizong of Song and Tang Yin, reflecting the elegance of classical Chinese art. 

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Shanghai, known as the "Venice of Shanghai," is a quintessential Jiangnan water town with over 1,700 years of history. Recognized as one of China's top ten ancient towns favored by international tourists, it welcomed approximately 1.642 million overseas visitors in 2024. 

Location & Features 

Situated on the shores of Dianshan Lake and crisscrossed by the Caogang River, Zhujiajiao boasts a network of canals, 36 ancient stone bridges, and Ming-Qing architecture. The iconic Fangsheng Bridge (Release Life Bridge), the largest five-arch stone bridge in Jiangnan, offers panoramic views of traditional boat races and riverside life. 

Key Attractions 

• North Street 
• Kezhi Garden 
• Dianshan Lake 
• Town God’s Temple 

Disneyland

1. Location and Overview 

Shanghai Disney Resort, located in Pudong New District, is the first Disney theme park in mainland China and the sixth globally. 

2. Key Attractions 

• Enchanted Storybook Castle: The tallest Disney castle globally, standing at 60 meters, offers interactive experiences like "Once Upon a Time Adventure". 
• TRON Lightcycle Power Run: A groundbreaking roller coaster inspired by *TRON: Legacy*, reaching speeds up to 100 km/h. 
• Mickey Avenue: A vibrant entry zone where guests meet Disney characters and enjoy themed shops. 
• Cultural Integration: The "Gardens of Imagination" area showcases Chinese horticulture and hosts Lunar New Year celebrations with lion dances and lantern festivals. 

ZIKAWEI Library 

The Zikawei Library, originally designed as a bookstore by David Chipperfield Architects, has transformed into a cultural landmark in Shanghai. After initial setbacks, it was repurposed into a public library with a unique design by Wutopia Lab. The building features a three-story atrium and mezzanine, blending classical and modern architectural elements.

Using a dualistic approach, Wutopia Lab divided the space into distinct sections:

• Section A: Emphasizing solidity with concrete and terrazzo.
• Section B: Embracing warmth with wood tones.

The library integrates functional spaces like a café, children’s area, and stained glass rest area, while maintaining a sacred atmosphere in the atrium reminiscent of a basilica. Symbolically, a 3D-printed pagoda crowns the design, symbolizing the fusion of Eastern and Western influences, ancient traditions, and modern technology.

West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou

There are no less than 30 lakes named "West Lake" in China. But the West Lake in Hangzhou is the best known of them all. It is located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province on the southeastern coast. And the city is known as the Paradise of the World in China.
Thousands of years ago, the West Lake was connected to the sea. The Qiantang River, not far away from the West Lake, enters the sea in the eastern part of the area. Sediment deposited by the river eventually blocked the connection between the West Lake and the sea, making it an inland water feature.
Since the 9th century A.D., the beautiful scenery of the West Lake in all seasons has appeared time and again in poems, stories and legends. It's roughly estimated there are about 630 legends of the West Lake alone. In 2011, West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou was included on The World Heritage List. It is visited by an endless stream of international tourists. Perhaps some of them will add their own stories to West Lake's wealth of literature.