These 8 Beautiful Streets Will Make You Brave the Summer Heat
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Despite rent hikes, cockroaches, overcrowded metro carriages and the occasional lougie hitting your feet, we still truly love Shanghai. Why? Well, a huge part of it is the incomparable beauty you can encounter every single day by just walking – or cycling – down the city’s streets. Here are a few of our favorites and what you can find there.
Kangping Lu
If you're looking to get away from Xujiahui, chances are you'll breeze through Kangping Lu. Even on a bright summer's day, with Shanghai's heat and humidity bearing down on you, you'll find that you barely break a sweat thanks to the beautiful canopy of leaves providing a much-needed source of shade.
Looking to take a quick break? Stop by at Le Petit Jardin.
Le Petit Jardin
Address: 220 Kangping Lu, near Huashan Lu
Tel: 021 5258 2058
Looking more like an antique shop from the outside, this is actually a cafe filled with some rather quirky decor. They offer up some cute little dishes for a quiet brunch with friends in a cozy place with a rustic feel. While there is not a huge selection of food, it makes for a great little stopover on your way through.
Tianping Lu
Tianping Lu is another quiet street that will offer up a quick detour from Xuhui district to north Yan'an Lu. You'll pass by a number of small coffee shops and more as you cycle under the cooling shade of the tree-lined streets.
Jesse
Address: 41 Tianping Lu, near Huaihai Xi Lu
Tel: 6282 9260
Hours: Daily, 11am-4pm; 5:30pm-12am
If you're craving some authentic Chinese cuisine during your ride, Jesse's is where you want to hit. Regarded as the "old" restaurant that paved the way to the city's other modern branches scattered around, they're renowned for classic Shanghainese cooking - think hongshao rou, braised pork shoulder and more!
Avec Toi. Photo source: Dianping user BessChern
Address: 73 Tianping Lu, near Kangping Lu
Tel: 5290 8132
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am-8pm
If you're looking for a smaller bite to help you refuel, Avec Toi is a little bakery on Tianping Lu serving up some pretty cool pastry delights such as Croissants (RMB 13), Pain au Chocolat (RMB 20) and Viennois Chocolat (RMB 8). They have a cozy set up, but sitting by the floor-length street-facing window is a delight as the sun begins to set.
Wukang Lu
One of Shanghai's major landmarks is Wukang Mansion, which stands at the crossroads of Huai Hai Lu, Wukang Lu and Xingguo Lu. But another key feature in this area is the street of Wukang Lu itself, which is another beautiful tree-lined road with spatterings of charming places to stop by.
During a pitstop from your cycle route, Ferguson Lane is the perfect place to refuel - where you'll even find some new additions to this F&B haven - such as Peet's Coffee.
Sichuan Citizen. Photo source: Dianping user 爱爱上海
Address: 2F, 378 Wukang Lu, near Taian Lu
Tel: 5404 1235
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am-11pm; Bar Basil: Daily, 11am-1am
If you've decided to cycle through Wukang Lu just ahead of dinner time, then make sure you go and check out the newly relocated Sichuan Citizen for a bite to eat. With more space and the added bonus of a patio to their new home, you'll find the same delicious dishes in this expat haven. Plus a sip of their signature cocktail, the Basil Drop, will not go amiss during a hot day!
Pistacchio. Photo source: Dianping user 大小通吃166
Address: 1F, 278 Wukang Lu, near Tai'an Lu
Tel: 5410 9852
Hours: Daily, 12pm-10:30pm
Needing something a little light on the spice? Pistacchio is a beautiful bistro focusing on Northern Italian cuisine. Making great use of the space, high ceilings make the venue feel incredibly spacious and huge windows will ensure you don't feel like you're missing out on daylight.
Azul
Address: Ferguson Lane, 8/F, 378 Wukang Lu, near Tai’an Lu
Tel: 5405 2252
Hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-12am; Saturday, 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm.
Want something with more of a Latino flair? Azul's recently renovated space and fresh menu will be just the thing you need. You can opt for some bite-sized dishes to chow down on after a gruelling cycle session as you cast your eye towards the horizon on their rooftop terrace.
Xingguo Lu
In the charming heart of Xuhui, Xingguo Lu also boasts a handful of restaurants and bars worth visiting after a summery cycle. With parking spots right outside the majority of them, they make for a convenient break!
Rumors Coffee
Address: Room 103, 372 Xingguo Lu
Tel: 6249 7510
Hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
Stop by at Rumors Coffee for a hit of caffeine to fuel the rest of your afternoon cycle. They've got a warm and comfortable environment here that leave you feeling utterly relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.
Coffees are on the pricier side here, but they offer some quality choices such as Blue Mountain, Hawaii Mocha and more.
Tai'an Lu
Yet another beautiful street to bike through is Tai'an Lu, which has an eclectic mix of French beauty that's combined with Shanghai's urban vibes.
Chez Maurice
Address: 2F, 50 Tai'an Lu, near Xingguo Lu
Tel: 6229 9668
Hours: Daily, 5:30pm-10:30pm; Saturday and Sunday brunch, 11:30-3pm
Stop by Chez Maurice Bistro for some traditional French fare such as escargots, canard a l'orange, and other dishes. They've even got a rooftop on the fourth floor that'll make a lovely setting to while away a lazy afternoon - you'll have earned it after cycling here.
Heyday
Address: 50 Tai'an Lu, near Xingguo Lu
Tel: 6236 6075
Hours: Daily, 6:30pm-2am
If your cycling session lasts into the evening, and you're craving some live music and drinks, Heyday will satisfy your needs and transport you back into the glamor of 1920s Shanghai. Showcasing local jazz talents and live music seven days a week, it's an elegant experience and a real treat after an afternoon riding in the sun.
Yongfu Lu
Once a nightlife hotspot, Yongfu Lu has returned to its quaint and low-key roots for a more chilled out vibe - making it perfect for cycling through during a sunny afternoon.
Uptown Records n' Beer
Address: 131 Tongfu Lu, near Fuxing Lu
Tel: 135 2462 8450
Hours: Daily, 2pm-12am
Stop by Uptown Records n' Beer and have a root around this tiny little vinyl store which doubles up as a bottle shop for imported beer. Prices range from RMB 15 - 30 per bottle, and you'll be able to find names such as Goose Island and Guinness to Boddingtons and bottles of Whisky sat atop them all.
Boxing Cat Brewery
Address: 82 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Yongfu Lu
Tel: 021 6431 2091
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 5pm-12am; Thursday, 5pm-2am; Friday, 3pm-2am; Saturday, 10am-2am; Sunday, 10am-12am
After a long cycle ride through Shanghai's summer heat, you might want to stop off for dinner with friends or a nice cold drink as a treat for actually doing something productive with your day - exercise, yay! Boxing Cat Brewery's Yongfu location is back with daily specials (RMB 25 for beer and RMB 40 for food) as well as great bites for all to enjoy - Eastside Tacos, an iconic plate of Chili Cheese Nachos and more.
Yuyuan Lu
It's no surprise that the beautiful villas of Yuyuan Lu make it a contender for a beautiful street to bike through in Shanghai. But what is impressive about this road are the heaps of architectural gems that make the entire street utterly charming. There are a few new notable eateries well worth a stopover on your way too - Stone Brewing (new neighbor to The Cannery) and Together.
Stone Brewing
Address: 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 11:30am-12am; Thursday to Saturday, 11:30am-2am.
With unprecedented attention to detail, the newly opened Stone Brewing is preparing to deliver an unparalleled selection of craft beers with 30 taps rotating guest beers from sought-after breweries. After a long, hot bicycle ride, you'll love lounging in their 300 square-meter bar and restaurant featuring reclaimed wood, concrete, steel and vintage lighting or on their patio.
Together
Address: 546 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu
Tel: 5299 8928
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm-10pm
For some fascinating fusion, take a seat in Together's outdoor patio that overlooks Yuyuan Lu for a bite to eat. The lunch menu offers a selection of two dishes (out of eight choices) for RMB 158, and you can add a soft drink, lemonade, tea, or coffee for an additional RMB 18.
Waima Lu
Photo credit: Flickr user David Veksler
Waima Lu is a great street to cycle through if you're wanting to visit somewhere along the waterfront. When you scooter or cycle over, you'll be treated to entirely different views that are certainly comparable to the impressiveness of the Bund. Heading towards the Cool Docks area, you'll find a bustling environment filled with businesses and eateries to discover.
PuBen. Photo credit: Dianping user Nat0711
Address: No. 2, 5/F, Wharf Wharehouse, 579 Waima Lu
Tel: 021 6339 1188
Hours: Monday to Friday, 5pm-10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm
Dim Sum is a great choice for an afternoon snack, especially when you're needing to satisfy hunger pangs after a bike ride. At PuBen, you can experience all the amenities of a Bund view restaurant without breaking the bank - making it a great end to any day out!
Prepare to Get Soaked This Weekend