Imagine a 5.5-kilometre-long, mainly pedestrian only street, lined with shops ranging from tiny boutique to big luxury brands. Early 20th century architecture at one end and a serene Buddhist Temple at the other. Food, snacks and candy to entice even the most hardcore dieter. Come with me and let’s have some fun on Nanjing Road in Shanghai!
Two Parts
Nanjing Road is divided into two parts, the East and West side. The east is going to be the busiest with tourists. It begins at the waterfront, the Bund promenade and is completely pedestrianized down to the People’s Square.
The west side showcases 5-star hotels, corporate high-rises, and those massive luxury brand flagship stores such as Tiffany, Cartier and the like. Both sides will be heavy with shoppers depending on the time of day. For bright city lights head on over at night time, the vibe totally changes. I’m going to focus on the east side, as that is the most entertaining and eclectic.
White Rabbit (大白兔奶糖)
A nostalgic candy for me, I always picked up a bag when visiting Chinatown in Victoria, BC. It was invented in Shanghai in 1943! It’s a rather hard and chewy milk flavoured candy; the best part is the rice paper wrapping that is consumed with the sweet. Originally the candy was called ABC Mickey Mouse Sweets and decorated with little mice on the wrappers.
However, when the country became the People’s Republic of China this candy was thought to be too westernized and was forced to rebrand. In 1959 the packaging was redesigned with a white rabbit and the name officially changed. Visitors are going to see several of these shops and they are full of not only sweets but merchandise too. Really cute things like plush toys, stationary, travel accessories, blankets, all sorts of fun items.
My biggest thrill came from the candy though; I had no idea there was different flavours! Imagine my glee walking down this central isle full of bins and containing flavours such as mustard, coffee, mango, banana, osmanthus, durian and ormosia! I did not leave empty handed I’ll be honest about that. 🤣
Miniso
Just about everywhere I travel in the world I see a Miniso. The brand had humble beginnings, from a garage in Guangzhou China only 10 years ago! Today they have over 7,700 stores worldwide. I love a good Daiso and when I can’t find one, a Miniso is always my second go to. I find small items at an affordable price. Things like make-up brushes, face wipes, hand sanitizer and moisturizer, face clothes and coin purses. They are almost like a dollar store, but really clean and super cute. This one on Nanjing Road is huge, multiple floors and is mostly full of license plush and toys.
Silver & Pearl Jewellery
There are some very enticing and gorgeous jewellery stores along Nanjing Road. For silver shoppers, head into this one with the fire breathing dragon at the entrance. It is sure to overwhelm you with the incredible pieces on display. For pearl lovers there is a similar store with a huge oyster display right at the entrance.
Food
When you begin to feel a little peckish there is no shortage of eats along Nanjing. Everything from fast food like KFC to Five Guys and so many local restaurants to duck into for something more local. If you are just having a snack attack, don’t pass by these long indoor mall-like spaces, filled with booths of pre-packaged snacks and fresh dumplings. Nougat, biscuits, dried fish, nuts and candy, its all here and you are sure to find anything you are looking for.
Nanjing Road is such a vibrant and lively place to spend a few hours. Combine it with The Bund and promenade and you can have a full day in this area of the city alone. Several little trains make trips up and down Nanjing, hop on one when your feet are getting tired. It’s a cute area, lots to see, from the Popmart store to a Pez shop and everything inbetween.
