When the plane-tree leaves turn gold and the breeze takes on a crisp edge, Shanghai's winter mood settles in — quiet, layered, and rich in texture. It's the perfect season to wander the city, tracing its cultural veins through historic lanes and modern landmarks.

This walking route through Shanghai's Jing'an district connects European mansions, futuristic flagships, sizzling food streets, and a hidden Chinese-typeface museum, unfolding a journey across time and between East and West.

Stop 1 | Cha House

Originally built for the Qiu family, prominent paint merchants in early 20th-century Shanghai, this elegant European-style mansion dates back to the 1920s. It was later renamed in honor of the patriotic industrialist Cha Chi Ming. After being relocated and restored, the residence retains its historic essence while incorporating modern design, standing today as a graceful landmark where past and present engage in quiet architectural dialogue.

📍Address: No 420 Weihai Road

Stop 2 | The Louis

When you enter the West Nanjing Road commercial zone, Louis Vuitton's landmark space, The Louis, rises like a sleek, futuristic ship that has docked in the historic zone. Its silhouette forms a dramatic visual dialogue with the century‑old surroundings, particularly after sunset when the building's glow creates a striking, almost cinematic contrast against the traditional streetscape.

Beyond fashion retail, The Louis houses exhibitions and dining spaces, making it a multidimensional urban destination.

📍Address: Intersection of Shimen Road Number One and Wujiang Road

Stop 3 | Nanxi Shanghai Port Inn

Tucked away in a bustling street corner, this public service station offers drinking water, charging ports, and seating, with shelves of books on Jing'an's local history. It's a quiet pause, a place to rest with a warm drink and watch the city flow by.

📍 Address: No 790 West Nanjing Road

Stop 4 | Wujiang Road

Turn onto Wujiang Road and follow the aroma of roasting chestnuts, grilled skewers, and pan-fried buns. Old-school eateries and modern snack stalls line the lane — grab a basket of Xiao Yang's crispy soup dumplings and a steaming bowl of beef-vermicelli soup for the perfect cool-weather comfort.

📍 Address: Wujiang Road food street

Stop 5 | Zhangyuan

Step into the revitalized Zhangyuan, Shanghai's largest and best-preserved shikumen complex. Its deep lanes and carved doorways now house luxury boutiques, art spaces, and cafes. Wander onward into the adjoining Fengshengli area to experience how heritage and contemporary urban life blend seamlessly, one courtyard at a time.

📍 Address: No 258 North Maoming Road

Stop 6 | North Shaanxi Road

Stretching nearly one kilometer, North Shaanxi Road is a corridor of heritage, lined with 21 protected sites and historic buildings such as the Ohel Rachel Synagogue and the Grace Baptist Church. In early winter, as plane tree leaves drift down, a walk along the street feels like moving through an open-air museum of architecture.

📍 Address: North Shaanxi Road (between Xinzha Road & Nanyang Road, and West Nanjing Road & Weihai Road)

Stop 7 | Prada Rong Zhai

This 1918 garden villa, once home to industrialist Rong Zongjing, has been exquisitely restored to its original colorful elegance. Now hosting contemporary art exhibitions, the space plays modern works against stained-glass windows and carved fireplaces, offering a vivid glimpse into the refinement of Shanghai's golden age.

📍 Address: No 186 Shaanxi North Road

Stop 8 | Former Residence of Robert Ho Tung

Just steps away from Prada Rong Zhai stands a grand neoclassical house, once the residence of philanthropist and entrepreneur Robert Ho Tung. Its quiet front garden feels especially serene in winter, and the building now anchors the sophisticated Shuzhangli block, continuing its legacy of understated elegance.

📍 Address: No 457 North Shaanxi Road

Stop 9 | Shanghai Printing Typeface Museum

End the walk where words begin. Tucked into a quiet alley, this exhibition traces the evolution of Chinese characters, from handwriting to lead type to digital fonts. The standardization of the everyday typefaces mirrors the architecture along North Shaanxi Road — forged in history, refined over time, and ultimately woven into the cultural consciousness.

📍 Address: No 60 Alley 1209, Xinzha Road

 

Sources: WeChat account of Jing'an district administration of culture and tourism at "zbggwhy", attractions mentioned above