To truly understand a city, sometimes the best place to start is its food market. The Mengxi Food Market — located in Shanghai's Huangpu district — is a must-visit for foodies. After that, immerse yourself in a full day of shopping, with a fabulous mix of flagship stores, trendy designs and exceptional service. Here's a highly recommended itinerary for a perfect day out in the district:

- Morning

Mengxi Food Market

A popular spot for food lovers, the Mengxi Food Market offers a taste of authentic Shanghai with its famous street snacks, including Shanghai Scallion Flatbread, White-Cut Chicken, Deep-fried Fish and more. The market itself is designed with a unique Shanghai flair — and its distinctive, wave-shaped corridors have become a social hub for both locals and tourists.

Address: No 2 West Mengzi Road

Transportation: Walk about 300 meters from Madang Road Station (Metro lines 9 and 13, Exit 3)

LuOne

Located at the crossroads of Xujiahui Road and Madang Road, LuOne is a mixed-use complex comprising retail and office spaces designed by  renowned architect Moshe Safdie. It blends art, nature and modern commercial space to create a special shopping experience.

Address: No 268 Xujiahui Road

Hong Kong Plaza

Hong Kong Plaza is an architectural gem with twin glass towers connected by a pedestrian bridge, offering an excellent mix of traditional and modern shopping. It's home to international brands like Tiffany, Swarovski, and the first store of Genesis Motors in China — making it a top destination for exclusive shopping experiences.

Address: No 283 Middle Huaihai Road

LADY Huaihai

Formerly known as the Shanghai Lady Fashion Department Store, it has been renamed LADY Huaihai with a fresh new look. This concept store is dedicated to women's fashion, home goods and lifestyle products, with offerings from brands like Seletti, Desigual and Gramicci.

Address: No 449-479 Middle Huaihai Road

Transportation: Walk about 450 meters from South Huangpi Road Station (Metro lines 1 and 14, Exit 1)

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- Afternoon

Guang Ming Cun Restaurant

Famous for its fresh meat mooncakes and other local delicacies, Guang Ming Cun is a place where lines form daily, especially during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival. This iconic restaurant is a Shanghai tradition that you won't want to miss.

Address: No 588 Middle Huaihai Road

Nike, Adidas and Uniqlo

For sports enthusiasts and fashion-forward shoppers, head to these iconic stores for the latest in trends and performance wear.

Sony Store

Step into the world of cutting-edge electronics at Sony's flagship store, where you can explore the latest in tech gadgets, from audio equipment to cameras.

Address: No 901 Middle Huaihai Road

Shanghai No 1 Department Store

Established in 1955, this venerable department store offers a mix of old-school charm and modern shopping experiences. There's new additions like Star Space — an innovative network of small and medium-sized theaters, as well as and Animation, Comic, Game and Novel Street or ACGN Street. All this has made it a hot spot for both traditional and contemporary shopping.

Address: No 830 East Nanjing Road

Transportation: Walk about 400 meters from People's Square Station (Metro lines 1, 2, 8, Exit 19)

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Wing On Department Store

This 1920s department store is an iconic piece of Shanghai's shopping history, offering both luxury goods and a glimpse into the city's architectural heritage. Visit its historic rooftop restaurant for panoramic views of the city.

Address: No 635 East Nanjing Road

- Evening

Xinghualou

A century-old Shanghai brand, Xinghualou is famous for its Cantonese cuisine, traditional mooncakes and other delicacies. It's a great place to savor authentic Shanghai flavors in a charming setting.

Address: No 114 East Nanjing Road

New World Daimaru Department Store

Located on the bustling Nanjing Road, this department store offers a total shopping experience with a wide selection of luxury brands, fashion, beauty products and high-end home goods. It also offers convenient tax refund services for international visitors.

Address: No 228 East Nanjing Road

Transportation: Walk about 300 meters from East Nanjing Road Station (Metro lines 2 and 10, Exit 6)

Fairmont Peace Hotel

A historical landmark, the Fairmont Peace Hotel sits on the Bund, offering stunning views of the river and city skyline. Once the playground of Shanghai's elite, it's now a top spot for fine dining, jazz and classic Shanghai charm.

Address: No 20 East Nanjing Road

Songmont

A high-end leather goods shop offering exquisite bags and accessories. The newly opened Ting Song Ge (Listening Pines Pavilion) store, located in the Rockbund area — which boasts 11 historical buildings dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries — invites you to relax in a serene, beautifully designed space that blends nature and modern design.

Address: No 149 Yuanmingyuan Road

Transportation: Walk about 900 meters from Tiantong Road Station (Metro Line 12, Exit 3)

Sources: Official WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Huangpu district committee at "shhuangpu", Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, VCG