Two days in Shanghai: Where old streets meet new skylines

Shanghai is a tier one metropolis, the pace of life here feels fast, and it’s city’s skyline filled with skyscrapers.

Yet, the city retains many historic buildings that showcase a blend of Eastern and Western cultural influences that takes you back in time.

If you are spending two days in Shanghai, here are four spots you can consider to add to your itinerary.

Wukang Mansion 武康大楼

A visit to the Wukang Mansion feels like peeking through a window into what life looked like in the city’s earlier days.

Completed in 1924, this eight-storey building was the first apartment building in Shanghai with a veranda.

Designed by the renowned Hungarian-Slovak architect László Hudec, who created many landmarks in Shanghai. Many celebrities, actors, and actresses have lived in this building over the years, leaving behind a rich cultural history and countless personal stories.

In recent years, it has become a popular photo spot and considered as a 网红打卡点 (internet-famous photo spot).

Wu Kang Street 武康路

Wukang Street is just a short walk from Wukang Mansion.

Here you can find small boutique shops amidst the backdrop of French architecture and old mansions.

It’s a 文青 spot, closest translation – a hip and cool spot, in particular for Wu Kang Street, it draws people who are enjoy the historical architectures, sitting at the cafes and browsing the art galleries.

The Bund 外滩

Almost everyone who travels to Shanghai will visit The Bund.

Take a stroll along the river and snap a photo of the Oriental pearl tower, the classic icon of Shanghai.

There are also many Western-style architectures lining the banks of the Huangpu River, such as the Customs house and HSBC building.

Tip: See the Customs House building light up at 7pm sharp. Be prepared to brave the crowd!

Nanjing Lu (南京路步行街)

Just a stone’s throw away from The Bund, visit the Nanjing Lu, a vibrant street filled with food stores and a great place for souvenir shopping.

Go in the evening to soak in the atmosphere and experience the crowd.

Next city

Coming from Singapore, Shanghai feels quite familiar, as it’s a face paced city.

Two days was just enough time to get a taste of the city — from the nostalgic charm of Wukang Road to the modern energy of Nanjing Road.

Next up, I’ll be visiting a few other tier-one cities in China, and I’m curious to see how they compare.

If you’re looking for a different flavor of China, there’s a whole lot more waiting to be discovered.