Old Town (Nanshi)
Old Town (Nanshi)
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Old Town (Nanshi)
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Xiaodongmen
How to get there
- Yuyuan Garden • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,995 within 3 miles
Attractions
693 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
1,167 reviews
Excellent
519
Very good
477
Average
138
Poor
21
Terrible
12
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Faizel j
Nikko, Japan4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Nice and like many other locations of China:
Super touristy, real residents with street stalls are gone and placed in shops...including in this old town.
Authentic China is turning into and only tourist-oriented commercial practices.
Very unfortunate but also China is westernizing while the entire population of the west is blocked.
Super touristy, real residents with street stalls are gone and placed in shops...including in this old town.
Authentic China is turning into and only tourist-oriented commercial practices.
Very unfortunate but also China is westernizing while the entire population of the west is blocked.
Automatically translated
Written August 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best food best hotel
Hong Kong, China6,090 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I didn't go to the old town specifically, but I saw it when I came out of Yu Garden. There were a lot of tourists here, all of whom were brought here by tour buses to shop! Every store is similar, and the things they sell are similar. There is no taste or characteristics! It is just a small shopping street built in a very old place for tourists to shop. Everything looks the same when you go back. I didn't even want to look at it. I took a taxi and left within five minutes. I was too lazy to take pictures because they were not very good!
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yelovaness H
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Friends
The air was alive with the sounds of vendors calling out, the clinking of coins, and the laughter of people enjoying the lively atmosphere. We browsed through stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to exotic spices, our senses delighting in the colors and fragrances that surrounded us. We sampled local street food, each bite a new adventure, a taste of Shanghai's rich culinary heritage.
One of the highlights of our exploration was the Old Town of Nanshi. Walking through the preserved Shikumen houses, we felt as though we had stepped back in time. The narrow streets, lined with traditional shops and eateries, offered a glimpse into the life of old Shanghai.
One of the highlights of our exploration was the Old Town of Nanshi. Walking through the preserved Shikumen houses, we felt as though we had stepped back in time. The narrow streets, lined with traditional shops and eateries, offered a glimpse into the life of old Shanghai.
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie H-D
Poole, UK2,288 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Outside the peaceful serenity of the Yu Garden is the busy Nanshi, lots and lots of street vendors calling for business, shops within the old buildings, various areas to eat and drink. It’s a lively and energetic area all around and was even better at night when it was fully lit up. This should definitely be part of your trip to Shanghai.
Written December 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C0ppola
Oulu, Finland435 contributions
Sep 2021
Very nicely designed buildings.
It is a good idea to set aside time to tour the area without rushing.
Stalls selling souvenirs and small shops in the area.
Overall a great looking place.
It is a good idea to set aside time to tour the area without rushing.
Stalls selling souvenirs and small shops in the area.
Overall a great looking place.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reslimpan
Rayong, Thailand3,725 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Old town Shanghai, reconstructed but nevertheless fun to visit. Plenty of shopping and eating. This place draws a crowd even in the winter. A must see and do for the first time visitor.
Written January 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Maarek
Tel Aviv, Israel16,512 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
If you happen to visit the magnificent Yu Garden, well it is right there: just one exit from the Yu Gardens takes you straight to this shopping Center.
Yes It is actually a shopping center.
The buildings are beautifully build with this traditional old Chinese style.
And you have it all there: western fast food, Starbucks, Mac Donald's, frozen yogurt along with Chinese cuisine.
The place is full with people but few tourists which gave me the opportunity to take a whole bunch of pictures of local people, which I like taking the most...
Bottom line a good choice to have a meal while shopping is always nice between attractions, just don't forget to be strong and resolute while bargaining ;-)
Yes It is actually a shopping center.
The buildings are beautifully build with this traditional old Chinese style.
And you have it all there: western fast food, Starbucks, Mac Donald's, frozen yogurt along with Chinese cuisine.
The place is full with people but few tourists which gave me the opportunity to take a whole bunch of pictures of local people, which I like taking the most...
Bottom line a good choice to have a meal while shopping is always nice between attractions, just don't forget to be strong and resolute while bargaining ;-)
Written December 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CdnLovesTravel787
Vancouver, Canada2,923 contributions
Mar 2011 • Solo
Shanghai is one of the fastest changing cities in the world and many sections will soon disappear - Old Town, a block away from Yuyuan Gardens, is one of them. Here you will find vendors making food from scratch and serving them hot and fresh - everything from bowls of wonton soup to green onion pancakes, deep fried chicken parts. There are vendors selling candied fruit on skewers, baked goods, crepes, all at next to nothing costs. You can even get a full, hot Chinese style meal here just by choosing little clay filled side dishes (prawns, soy beans with snow cabbage, etc) to go with your bowl of rice and soup. They steam the little dish to make them hot. Afterwards, take a walk around the area as it is a street farmers market. There is also an indoor farmers market too.
Written September 10, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fireman452
Tallahassee, FL1,479 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
There are maps of the area everywhere and there are wonderful shops and restaurants, local as well as things like Starbucks etc. we had a great time here.
Written September 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea P
Melbourne, Australia117 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
I enjoy watching traditional buildings are given modern life. And I liked the shopping in the area with all sorts of things you can buy or just look at. Also Great local food.
Written April 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If I stop at the airport ten hours Can I go outside and explore it. Can I get visa at the airport? What you guys recommend to see near the airport? How is the cost of taxi?
Written November 7, 2019
If I were you I would get a guide. Let them pick you up at the airport. They can show you the high lites of Shanghai for five hours or so and you would one able to at least not panic about getting back. We had a guide the first day and she was amazing. We spent about 6 hours with her. You say you have 10 hours, so it is very feasible. We used Jenny's Tours. You can look it up as it won't let me post her email address.. Our guide was Alice, she spoke perfect English. Driver and her were about $125-$150. I have recommended her to several people. Shanghai is a beautiful city. With a guide you will make the most of your time.
Written November 18, 2019
No fee, but you will shop it is irresistible
Written July 29, 2018
I couldn't find this place! I walked all around where the location shows on this page, but there was no shopping area. There was one old looking building, but it was closed and dark at 7pm so I don't think that was it. Can someone give more specific location details?
Written May 5, 2016
See if you can find on GOOGLE MAPS with this coordinates:
584 Ren Min Lu
Shanghai Shi, China
31.228692, 121.487442
When you look at it through satellite mode, you'll see a zigzag path bridge.
Written May 5, 2016
Showing results 1-3 of 3
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing