Nanjing Road, Commercial pedestrian street in Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Nanjing Road is a commercial pedestrian route stretching from the historic Bund waterfront westward through the city center in Huangpu District. Along its length, department stores stand beside local shops, while wide sidewalks provide space for street vendors and window shopping.
The thoroughfare emerged in the mid-19th century as a simple lane along the British concession. Over the following decades it grew into the city's main commercial artery and was pedestrianized in the 1990s.
The name dates back to the Republican era when the thoroughfare became a symbol of Western influence in China. Today this heritage shows in the neon signs and bilingual storefronts that draw visitors from around the world.
The pedestrian section begins near the waterfront and stretches several blocks westward. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon, when crowds remain manageable.
A small clock tower marks the beginning of the pedestrian zone and recalls the architecture of earlier decades. From the upper end, you can see the skyline of the modern financial district in the distance.
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