Shanghai Old Street, or more officially Fangbin Road, is an ideal place to discover what Shanghai was like in the old days. It is adjacent to Yuyuan Garden and runs in an east-west direction from Zhonghua Road to Henan South Road, with both ends marked by decorated archways.
The 825 meter-long street can be divided into eastern and western sections.
Eastern section
The eastern section retains characteristics of residences in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and early Republican days (1911-1949).
The houses on both sides of the street are fitted with checkered windows, and shop fronts have wooden boards, balustrades, and swing doors. Their roofs have upturned eaves, protruding corners and laced drain-pipes.
The eastern section has a variety of shops, including florists', shoe & clothing retailers', and noodle restaurants, where you often see specialty dealers selling Chinese tea and snacks such as "Five Fragrant Beans.
Western section
Shanghai Old StreetThe western section is filled with Ming (1368-1644) and Qing style architecture. Black tiles and white-washed walls, red columns, and upturned eaves showcase the style of old Shanghai.
The western section has a number of antique & curio shops, restaurants and teahouses.
Famous Shops
Along the street you will find hundred-year-old stores: Tonghanchun, Laotongsheng, Wuliangcai, Wanyouquan, Qiu Tianbao, Old Shanghai Tea House, Deshun Western Food Restaurant, Chunfeng Deyi Restaurant, Xishi Soya Beancurd Store, Dingniangzi Cloth Store, Rongshun Restaurant and Baoyintang.
A newly-opened Danfeng Tea House, a clinic managed by renowned traditional Chinese medical doctors, and other new shops with traditional characteristics are also on Shanghai Old Street.
Our Tours
A Short Visit to Shanghai's Old Alleys
Visiting the old alleys of Shanghai is a great way to discover the traditional culture of this city and experience the real life of the Shanghainese. Find out how they think and what they do over an enjoyable cup of tea and chat with locals in their home.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: USD 42 (combined with tour package)
An In-Depth Visit to Shanghai Old Alleys
Experience the real life of the Shanghainese. Enjoy a lunch and chat with locals in their home. Visit the local market and even learn how to speak some Shanghainese.
Duration: 3 hours
Price: USD 57 (combined with tour package)
- Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Water Town Culture Tour: Immerse yourself in classic China water town.