Shanghai's Wutong district — officially known as the Hengshan Road-Fuxing Road Historical and Cultural Block, which encompasses Xuhui, Huangpu, Jing'an and Changning districts — is renowned for its towering French plane, or Wutong trees.

For Matteo, a baker from Sicily, the block holds special significance. Since opening his first Nonna Bakery on Yongkang Road three years ago, his business has expanded to more than 10 locations.

Just 500 meters away on Yongjia Road, another Sicilian entrepreneur, Alex, has found similar success with an Italian gelato ice cream and dessert shop called Amuni Gelato. His place has become a hot favorite among residents and tourists alike, drawing steady crowds — particularly on warm afternoons when customers fill the outdoor courtyard.

A walk from Yongjia Road to Wukang Road reveals a thriving scene of young trendsetters, especially at key intersections such as Wukang Road-Middle Huaihai Road and Wukang Road-Anfu Road.

The block's growing appeal is evident at businesses like 13de Marzo Cafe, where visitors are willing to wait up to 80 minutes for a cup of coffee with its signature teddy bear figurine attached to the cup.

Despite the absence of large shopping malls, the Wukang-Anfu area has emerged as one of Shanghai's most lucrative shopping areas, attracting 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day and generating annual tax revenues exceeding 100 million yuan ($13.77 million).

The area's success is largely attributed to its dynamic mix of independent boutiques, concept stores and pop-up events, which continuously introduce new retail experiences.

Over the past two years, major labels such as Armani and Louis Vuitton have hosted exclusive pop-up events, with this year's first quarter alone featuring more than 10 limited-time activations — including Chloe's fragrance-themed pop-up bookstore and the ZARA x Butter Bear collaboration, which was extended by three months due to high demand.

Beyond temporary activations, the area continues to attract flagship and first-store openings, including China's first Wiggle Wiggle store, beauty products retailer Harmay and D. Desirable, a fashion and dining concept by actor Dylan Wang.

Meanwhile, Anta's carbon-neutral retail store, Antazero, at the Wukang-Wuyuan intersection marks another national first.

These attractions have made the area a hotspot for social media influencers, fashion enthusiasts and young customers eager to experience the latest in retail trends.

Additionally, with China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy drawing ever-more international visitors, the Hengshan Road-Fuxing Road Historical and Cultural Block has become an essential stop for global tourists.

Landmarks such as Wukang Building and Anfu Road are now major attractions, with visitors frequently seen sitting outside Harmay's marketplace, casually posing for street photographers.

The block's rapid evolution into a cultural and commercial powerhouse is widely regarded as a testament to Shanghai's ability to blend heritage with modern retail trends. As new businesses continue to emerge and international brands take notice, the block is poised to remain at the forefront of the city's urban lifestyle and economic growth.

Nonna Bakery

Address: No 126 Yongkang Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 8 am to 9 pm

Amuni Gelato

Address: No 394 Yongjia Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: Monday, 1 pm to 9 pm; Tuesday to Friday, 12 pm to 9 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm

13de Marzo Cafe

Address: 1F, Building 4, No 322 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 10 am to 9:30 pm

Wiggle Wiggle

Address: No 308 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Harmay

Address: No 55 Wukang Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 10 am to 11 pm

D. Desirable

Address: No 322 Anfu Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 11 am to 10 pm

Antazero

Address: No 98 Wukang Road, Xuhui district

Business hours: 10 am to 9 pm

Sources: Shanghai Observer, "xuhuifabu" WeChat account, official Xiaohongshu accounts of abovementioned stores