22 great things to do on Wulumuqi Lu
Slap-bang in the middle of the city, Wulumuqi Lu is one of Shanghai's major arteries, stretching from the backstreets of northern Jingan, right down to the very edge of the Former French Concession on Zhaojiabang Lu.
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Watch: Wulumuqi's best bits (Video: Ian Kumamoto)
Offering everything you could possibly need, Wulumuqi Lu is your one-stop-shop for everything from your weekly grocery shop (we're looking at you, Avocado Lady) to a complete pampering session from head-to-toe.
Here's a tour of Wulumuqi's best bits, working your way north to south.
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1. Swing by Xinjiang Yining Yuanzheng for freshly baked naan and authentic street-side chuan'r. The restaurant itself may be shuttered but that hasn't stopped its proprietors from serving the grilled goods from its traditional barbecue at the corner of of Wulumuqi and Yuyuan Zhi Lu.
20 Yuyuan Zhi Lu, near Wulumuqi Bei Lu.
2. Leaf through artsy 'coffee table' books, browse fancy ceramics and expensive stationery or catch a seminar over a cappuccino at classy book café MADHAUS.
459 Wulumuqi Bei Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu.
3. Catch a free lunchtime orchestral show or pick up a new hobby for weekday evenings at Jingan District Cultural Centre. The newly renovated hub offers Chinese-only programmes ranging from traditional opera to ballet dancing to calligraphy.
459 Wulumuqi Bei Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu.
4. Tame the beast with one of the best Brazilians in town (the waxing treatment, we mean) from Strip and a quick tidy up of the monobrow at Browhaus.
84 Wulumqi Zhong Lu, near Changle Lu.
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5. Chow down on the super savoury flavours of spicy Hunan-style cuisine at Hunan Country Cuisine. Try beef in sour soup (酸汤肥牛), firepot chicken (干锅鸡) and drypot cauliflower with Chinese ham (酸汤肥牛).
168 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Anfu Lu.
6. Upscale your barnet with a fresh wash, cut and blow-dry, perm or a swish set of braids at ultra-hip new eponymously named Barbershop.
170 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Anfu Lu.
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7. Relieve that sweet tooth with Sea Salt Chocolate & Banana Pancakes (48RMB) and a Kenyan drip coffee at Japanese-inflected spot, Fine Café & Canteen.
192 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
8. Upgrade your kicks for under 100RMB at Culture Matters with a brand-spanking new pair of Feiyues – one of Shanghai's most iconic home-grown brands.
206 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, Wuyuan Lu.
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9. Get up early and treat yourself to one of the best Shandong-style jianbing in the city. Cutting the perfect balance between crisp and moist, ayi knows exactly how to sort your morning cravings.
170 Wulumuqi Lu, near Yuyuan Lu.
10. Revive the summer vacay feels with street-side Vietnamese eats in the heart of the Former French Concession with a legit banh mi and real Vietnamese iced coffee at Mr. Bánh Mì.
272 Wulumuqi Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
11. Restock your cupboards and fill your fridge with a weekly shop at the Avocado Lady. She might not have the best avos in the city these days, but she’s certainly got a lot of swag you’ll be missing from home.
274 Wulumuqi Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
12. Treat yourself to an after-dinner gelato at Bonus. The rotating menu offers a mix of classics and quirky new additions – think pine nut and olive oil, salted egg yolk and our personal favourite, mojito.
276 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
13. Pick-up Lebanese and Levantine classics from Eli Falafel. From juicy stuffed vine leaves to fluffy falafel to home-made hummus and baba ganoush, this new joint has it all.
294 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
14. Throw the rule book out the window and order breakfast for dinner at Diner, you naughty thing. Choose from fully-loaded pancakes, indulgent French toast or a staple American brekkie – just don't get caught and don't tell mum.
145 Wuyuan Lu, near Wulumuqi Zhong Lu.
15. Shop 'til you drop at Dutch lifestyle store and accessory brand Kate Wood with stylish eye-wear, watches, phone cases, bikes and more, all handcrafted from repurposed wood and bamboo.
338 Wulumuqi Lu, near Fuxing Lu.
16. Tuck-in to one of the city’s best poke bowls or stock up your freezer with quality imported seafood at the original branch of Little Catch.
247-6 Wulumuqi Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
17. Smash cheat day with classic shawarma or doner meats from Brother's Kebab or satisfy your post-club-carb-craves with a kebab every Friday or Saturday until 4am.
247-7 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
18. Pamper yourself on the cheap at this clean and friendly neighbourhood spa, Flower Fingers. Expect to spend no more than 100RMB for basic mani-pedis, foot massages and simple facial treatments.
344 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu.
19. Close your eyes and think of the tropics at Slurp! as you sample traditional street-style Yunnanese rice noodles with sides of goats cheese and fried potatoes and a bottle of Dali beer in hand.
243 Wulumuqi Lu, near Wuyuan Lu.
20. Get your caffeine fix at super-chic minimalist café And Coffee. Pass by before 11.30am and get a 6RMB discount on a coffee-croissant combo. Sorted.
315 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu.
21. Pack in the high-quality proteins at My Butchery with a well-curated selection of imported meats in a variety of different cuts. Pick up a rotisserie chicken for 58RMB for a quick weeknight TV dinner.
315 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu.
22. Sip on expertly crafted cocktails or throw on your Sunday best and enjoy a classy brunch at Blackbird café, nestled in a leafy and altogether sleepier corner of the thoroughfare.
Third Floor, 1 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Dongping Lu.
Reach Wulumuqi Lu by jumping off at Jingan Temple, Changshu Lu or Shanghai Library stations.