Chapter 7

5 am to 6 am

Daybreak

At 5 am, Shanghai begins to awaken. Night owls make their way home as early birds step outside, and the city settles into a new rhythm.

Watch the sunrise as the city wakes up

The Bund

In the early morning, the Bund becomes a tranquil haven for locals and night owls who have stayed up all night. Arrive before 6 am, and you can watch the morning light gradually illuminating the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui skyline.

Recommended viewpoints:

• Waterfront promenade near the East Jinling Road Pier: This spot faces the central Lujiazui skyline and offers an open view of the river.
• Huangpu Park near Waibaidu Bridge: This section offers views of where Suzhou Creek meets the Huangpu River, providing a unique perspective for sunrise photography.
• Waitanyuan near Zhapu Road Bridge: The historic buildings provide a foreground for sunrise photos.

Xuhui Riverside

With its open riverside promenade and views of the modern skyline across the river, Xuhui Riverside offers a quintessential urban sunrise scene.

Recommended viewpoint:

• Riverside platform near Long Museum West Bund

North Bund

Facing the Bund and Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, North Bund offers a chance to capture both the historic buildings of the Bund and the iconic skyline of Lujiazui in a single frame. Compared to the Bund, the area is generally quieter, allowing visitors to enjoy the sunrise at a more relaxed pace.

Recommended viewpoint:

• Riverside "Rainbow Bridge" walkway

A Shanghai breakfast at the market

Try Shanghai's classic breakfast staples, known as the "Four Heavenly Kings": dabing (savory flatbread), youtiao (fried dough sticks), cifantuan (sticky rice rolls), and doujiang (soy milk).

Mengxi Market (蒙西菜场早点铺)

Address: No 2 West Mengzi Road, Huangpu district

From initially serving only the Four Heavenly Kings, Mengxi Market has expanded its breakfast offering to 20 to 30 items. Several small breakfast stalls have been operating in the market for more than a decade and open only in the morning. Due to their popularity, some items may already be sold out by 10 am.

• Recommended stall: Liu's Breakfast (刘氏早餐)

Jialing Market (嘉陵菜市场)

Address: No 508 Jialing Road, Xuhui district

Jialing Market is home to nearly 30 small food stalls serving the traditional Four Heavenly Kings alongside 40 to 50 other carb-heavy dishes from regions including Shandong and Henan. Also known as a "budget breakfast paradise", the market allows diners to mix and match a satisfying breakfast for just 10 yuan (about $1.48).

• Recommended stall: Shanghai Xiekehuang (上海蟹壳黄)

Take a walk in the park

Fuxing Park

Address: No 105 Yandang Road, Huangpu district

At Fuxing Park, young people emerging from INS, a nightlife complex, after a night of dancing, pass by older residents who have already begun their morning tai chi practice under the plane trees. For a brief moment, two different worlds converge.

Tianshan Park

Address: No 1731 West Yan'an Road, Changning district

Located at the intersection of West Yan'an Road and Kaixuan Road, Tianshan Park offers a quiet retreat as the city begins to awaken. Visitors can stroll along the lakeside path or relax on the expansive lawn while enjoying the fresh morning air.

Luxun Park

Address: No 2288 North Sichuan Road, Hongkou district

By 5 am, older residents have already gathered in small groups around the lake and pavilions, practicing tai chi and playing diabolo. The sound of pingtan from portable radios mixes with the sound of birds singing in the trees, while the occasional birdcage passes by, carrying a hwamei bird singing inside.

Century Park

Address: No 1001 Jinxiu Road, Pudong New Area

On the running track, early-morning runners circle the park as the first light of day breaks. Other visitors begin their morning walks and activities, adding to the lively atmosphere of the park.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce