Nanjing Road: China's Most Famous Shopping Street

I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Nanjing Road runs 5.5km from the Bund to Jing'an Temple, but the pedestrian-only stretch (East Nanjing Road) is just 1.2km, running from People's Square to the Bund — with over 600 shops along the full length of the street.

Quick Answer

Nanjing Road is China's most famous shopping street, running from People's Square to the Bund. The pedestrian-only stretch (East Nanjing Road) is just 1.2km, with over 600 shops along the full length.

🛍️ China's most famous shopping street🚶 1.2km pedestrian zone🏬 600+ shops

East or West Nanjing Road?

People's Square splits the street into two very different halves: East Nanjing Road (the pedestrian section, close to the Bund) is more popular with tourists, with affordably-priced shops, restaurants, and night markets. West Nanjing Road, near Jing'an Temple, has the big international luxury brands — Chanel, Hermès, LV, Dior, Prada.

How Long Does It Take, and How Do You Get There?

Walking just the pedestrian stretch (1.2km) takes 30-45 minutes at a normal pace with no stops, but most visitors plan for 1.5-2 hours with shopping and photos. To get there: East Nanjing Road station (Line 2 or 10) for the Bund end, People's Square station (Line 1, 2, or 8) for the middle, and West Nanjing Road station (Line 2, 12, or 13) or Jing'an Temple (Line 2 or 7) for the luxury end.

💡 Tip from experience: walk the street in the evening — the lights and neon give it a completely different atmosphere from daytime, and most shops and restaurants stay open late.

Nanjing Road Quick Summary

Full length: 5.5km | pedestrian section: 1.2km
East Nanjing Road: affordable prices, touristy atmosphere
West Nanjing Road: international luxury brands
Visit time: 30 minutes (walk-through) to 2 hours (with shopping)

Planning a Trip to Shanghai?

I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Message me on WhatsApp and I'll fold Nanjing Road into your day alongside the Bund and Shanghai Museum, or visit the private driver service page.