Walk around Shanghai: from the Jiao Tong University Xuhui campus, to Shanghai library, via Hengshan and Gaoan road.

Personally, I love the block of Xuhui that sits in between HuaiHai road, and Xujiahui park. A nice way to walk through is by starting on Huashan road, near the Jiao Tong university campus, and take a turn when you’re on Guangyuan road. Alternatively, you could take a turn on Kangping, where you can also find one of my favorite Shanghaiese restaurant: Muyang Farm restaurant!

Walking through this area, you can really appreciate the urban contrast of today’s Shanghai: Xujiahui is a huge shopping center, surrounded by high-rises, Jiao Tong campus is quiet and full of historic european style buildings, while Hengshan and Gaoan road are both prime example of Shanghai’s art deco heritage.

The starting point: Huashan road, in front of the Jiao Tong University campus in Xuhui. The Xujiahui shopping area is straigh ahead, while we’ll be taking a left turn into a more pittoresque area…

Prime examples of the local culture. The phone number on the bike will allow you to contact the driver and hire his service: selling window glass.

An exercise in urban contrasts: On the right, Xujiahui at night, on the left, Guangyuan road from the vantage of point with Xujiahui in your back…

The now completed “Hengshanfang” development, right next to Xujiahui park, on Tianping/Hengshan road(2014). Behold the bamboo structure…

The nearby Xujiahui park, bordering Hengshan road, on a quiet weekday.

Still in Xujiahui park, on a busy saturday afternoon.

If you follow Hengshan road, alongside Xujiahui park, you’ll evntually hit the Gaoan crossroad, it’s a nice walk on both sides. You’ll suddenly be in a more quiet part of Shanghai.

If you follow Gaoan road up north, you’ll eventually hit HuaiHai road, and the Shanghai Library.

Looking to stay in an airbnb Shanghai near Xujiahui, in the former French concession of Shanghai, try this unique spacious studio on Tianping road: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16978003.

Want to stay closer to Shanghai Library? This renovated two bedroom lane house could be your quiet getaway while in town: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16796223

Or this one bedroom, located right next to Jiao Tong university: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/16492616