Shanghai Jing'an Temple Guide- Where Tradition Meets Modernity: A Cosmopolitan Hub with a Touch of Elegance and Local Charm

Rita

Area Overview


The Jing'an Temple area sits at the heart of Shanghai’s inner ring, revolving around the thousand-year-old Jing'an Temple and stretching out to iconic streets like Nanjing West Road, Yuyuan Road, and Julu Road. This neighborhood seamlessly blends historical depth (the temple dates back to the Three Kingdoms period) with bustling commercial hubs (Jing'an Kerry Centre, Plaza 66), alongside charming lanes shaded by plane trees and trendy boutiques. It’s the epitome of Shanghai’s “fusion of old and new.” Most Hills accommodations are within walking distance of Jing'an Temple Metro Station, making it a breeze to explore this gem of a district!


1. Restaurant Recommendations

1.1 Shanghainese & Zhejiang Cuisine

福1088 Fu 1088 (Zhenning Road Branch)

Image from RedNote 润子真是太可爱了

- Specialty: Upscale Shanghainese dining in a heritage villa; melt-in-your-mouth braised pork with rice cakes glazed in a three-generation family sauce. Dine under carved wooden ceilings with bespoke tableware—Michelin-starred service meets 1930s Shanghai glamour, ideal for proposals or power lunches.

- Address: 375 Zhenning Road

-Average Cost: 500-800 RMB

兰心餐厅Lanxin Restaurant (Jinxian Road Branch)

Image from RedNote Madame_Mochi

- Specialty: Alleyway gem with wok-fried shrimp bursting with wok hei (breath of the wok). No menu—daily specials scribbled on a chalkboard. Squeeze into communal tables and soak up the Shanghainese banter between regulars and the boss lady.

- Address: 130 Jinxian Road

-Average Cost: 80-120 RMB

圆苑Yuan Yuan (Jing'an Temple Branch)

- Specialty: Legendary braised pork ranked top 3 in Shanghai. Melt-in-the-mouth pork belly simmered for 6 hours, paired with golden temple views—where centuries-old tradition meets the city’s skyline.

- Address: 1618 Nanjing West Road

- Average Cost: 200-300 RMB

1.2 International Flavors & Brunch

Alimentari & Degusteria

Image from RedNote 爱笑的丹玉

- Specialty: Italian deli with Instagrammable window seats and charcuterie platters. Build your own antipasti board from the walk-in cheese fridge, then sip Aperol Spritz as golden hour light floods the cobblestone street outside.

- Address: 343 Jiaozhou Road

- Average Cost: 150-200 RMB

BISTRO 11

Image from RedNote 拉卡拉

- Specialty: Scandinavian-style eggs Benedict with runny yolks.Lemongrass-infused hollandaise over house-smoked salmon, served on sourdough with a pet-friendly terrace under plane trees—weekend bliss redefined.

- Address: 179 Fumin Road

-Average Cost: 120-180 RMB

Birdie Cup café

Image from RedNote 在秋碰了个夏

- Specialty: Minty iced latte with a creamy twist in trendy cups. Sip a nitro-chilled mint latte in holographic cups, or dare to try the secret “Sichuan pepper cold brew”—baristas might surprise you with latte art dragons!

- Address: Jing'an Kerry

-Average Cost: 40-60 RMB

2. Must-Visit Attractions

2.1 Historical Landmarks

Jing'an Temple

Image from RedNote 穷游的Skylar🌍

- Specialty: A golden-roofed temple glowing like a palace at night. Witness the 15-ton silver Buddha shimmer under LED-lit skyscrapers—a surreal fusion of ancient prayer and urban futurism during New Year bell rituals.

- Address: 1686 Nanjing West Road

- Admission: 50 RMB

Jing'an Park

Image from RedNote 南纬45度

- Specialty: A江南(Jiangnan)-style garden in the city center. Ginkgo-lined paths and koi ponds in a Jiangnan-style garden. Free urban oasis with Instagrammable autumn views.

- Address: 1649 Nanjing West Road

- Free Entry

Zhang Yuan

Image from RedNote 梦幻心尘

-Specialty: Revitalized Shikumen complex blending heritage and art. Snap shots of laundry-draped lanes contrasting with Dior pop-ups, then sip qipao-themed tea at House 77—where old Shanghai whispers to the avant-garde.

- Address: Lane 188, North Maoming Road, Jing'an District

- Free Entry

Jing'an Sculpture Park

Image from RedNote 蝉森

- Specialty: Urban oasis with rotating floral displays and avant-garde sculptures. Pose before the iconic "Gate of Eternity" sculpture, then picnic under cherry blossoms—a cultural detox in the concrete jungle.

- Address: 128 Shimen Er Road, Jing'an District

- Free Entry

2.2 Art Spaces

Shanghai Exhibition Centre

Image from RedNote 贝贝

- Specialty : A landmark blending Soviet-style architecture with traditional Chinese elements. Its grand arches and symmetrical design exude historical charm, hosting international exhibitions, art shows, and premium events.

- Address: 1000 Yan'an Middle Road

-Free (Exhibitions may charge separately)

Fotografiska Imaging Art Centre

Image from RedNote luluiris织物社

- Specialty:  World-class photography exhibits with a rooftop cocktail bar. Sip a “Light & Shadow Martini” with projected stories on coasters, as Annie Leibovitz’s rock legends gaze down on the neon river of Nanjing Road.

- Address: No. 127 Guangfu Road

-Admission: 120 RMB

3. Shopping Map

3.1 Luxury Malls

静安嘉里中心Jing'an Kerry Centre

Image from RedNote 商业档案LX

- Specialty: High-end brands and niche designers, plus a basement food court.A vertical urban village—grab a Luneurs caramel scoop underground, then ascend to Canada Goose on floor 1, all without stepping into the rain.

- Address: 1515 Nanjing West Road

芮欧百货Réel

Image from RedNote 杰森商刊

  - Specialty: Tokyo vibes meet Shanghai skies—hunt for Japanese ceramics on B1, then toast the sunset with matcha roll cake on the rooftop, the temple’s golden spire glowing beside you.

- Address: 1601 Nanjing West Road

恒隆广场66 Plaza

Image from RedNote 伊森Ethan办公咨询

- Specialty: Epitome of luxury with flagship stores and white-glove service. Sip champagne in private suites, then dine under Murano glass chandeliers—opulence redefined.

- Address: 1266 Nanjing West Road

3.2 Independent Boutiques

Labelhood

Image from RedNote LABELHOOD蕾虎

 - Specialty: Avant-garde Chinese designers with runway-ready pieces. Try on Uma Wang’s velvet gowns in tiled fitting rooms, sipping hibiscus tea—shopping as performance art in a Shanghainese time capsule.

- Address: 184 Fumin Road

LMDS

Image from RedNote LMDS摩登风景

  - Specialty: A three-story lifestyle space with coffee, magazines, and niche fragrances.

- Address: 1 Taoxing Road  

Freitag by Harbook+

Image from RedNote 步履不停7777

- Specialty: With an industrial design, the Swiss-based eco-friendly bag brand is known for its unique and durable bags made from recycled materials. Upcycled truck-tarp bags in a gritty-chic space. Each bag tells a sustainable story.

- Address: 758 Julu Road 

LookNow&Flow

Image from RedNote Zzy

- Specialty: Edgy designer hub for sweet-meets-rebellious fashion. Strike poses in influencer-ready fitting rooms, styled by staff who know how to pair a deconstructed blazer with meme-worthy accessories.

- Address: 156 Anfu Road

4. Nightlife & Coffee

4.1 Bars & Lounges

Speak Low

Image from RedNote 须须公主

  - Specialty: Hidden behind a bookcase, serving Japanese-inspired cocktails. Crack the Morse code to the VIP den, where “Shanghai Fog” cocktails blend huangjiu rice wine with dry ice mimicking the Bund’s skyline.

- Address: 579 Fuxing Middle Road

-Average Cost: 150-250 RMB 

The Odd Couple

Image from RedNote 老罗の魔都讲古

- Specialty: Chinese five-spice whisky cocktails in a retro NYC vibe.Order the "Mahjong Margarita" with jade tile garnishes—win a round and score free truffle fries!

- Address: Building 25, Xintiandi North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Road

- Average Cost: 150-200 RMB

4.2 Cafes & Afternoon Tea

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Image from RedNote 我见青山

- Specialty: Watch coffee roasting and try Shanghai-exclusive cocktails. Sip a “Lane Breeze” cocktail with Shikumen-aged liquor on the third-floor jazz stage, or grab a salted plum cold brew from the tea bar—crafted chaos in a coffee cathedral.

- Address: L1, TaiKoo Hui

- Average Cost: 80-120RMB

Plusone

Image from RedNote 徐丢丢nn

- Specialty: Terrace nook with tiramisu dusted in cocoa like snowfall.Sip Viennese coffee from heirloom china as vinyl jazz blends with rustling plane leaves—a time warp in the heart of Julu Road.

- Average Cost: 50-80 RMB

One Step Garden

Image from RedNote Sherry小鱼头/家养饭桶

- Specialty: Glasshouse oasis with floral staircases and photogenic desserts. A fairytale escape with Instagrammable treats.

- Address:3F, 116 Shimenyi Rd, Jing'an District

- Average Cost: 50-100 RMB

Gregorius

Image from RedNote 多冰肉桂美式/爱吃的小凝

- Specialty: Vintage Americana vibes with retro decor, signature "Anchor Latte" + matcha mille-crepe cake
-Address: 37 Yuyuan Road

- Average Cost: 40-70 RMB

Area Tips

1. Transportation: Take Metro Lines 2, 7, or 14 to Jing'an Temple Station. Explore the plane tree-lined streets on foot or by bike.

2. Avoiding Crowds: Malls and trendy spots get busy on weekends; visit on weekday mornings for a quieter vibe.

3. Hidden Gems: A 15-minute walk from Jing'an Temple takes you to Zhangyuan and Fengshengli, revitalized Shikumen landmarks. 


The Jing'an Temple area is synonymous with Shanghai’s “refined lifestyle.” Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a shopping addict, or a coffee lover, this neighborhood has it all. With Hills accommodations, you’re just steps away from the buzz of the city and the charm of local life.