The Historic Charm of Nanjing Road in Shanghai

Shanghai's oldest and most bustling commercial area, it is a pedestrian-only street. Often compared to Korea's Myeongdong, Nanjing Road is quite different in that it is a straight road with shops lined up on both sides. The characteristics of the shops also differ; while Myeongdong targets a younger demographic, Nanjing Road has a customer base that is evenly distributed up to the elderly. Nanjing Road starts from the eastern Bund and stretches for 5.5km, but the core pedestrian-centric commercial area is about 1km. Currently, about 600 shops are located here, and it is always a crowded place. The main street of Nanjing Road is rather modern, while the roads next to it offer a more modern taste of old Shanghai streets.