Shanghai's Hidden and Authentic Romantic Treasure District

🚶‍♀️Say no to crowds! This City walk route, filled with architectural aesthetics and stories of time, lets you immerse yourself in the "hidden tenderness" of the magical city— 🚇Transportation Guide: Exit at Nanjing East Road Station on Metro Line 10 and start a romantic journey spanning over a century~ 🏦【Former East Asia Bank Building】 At the corner of Nanjing East Road, the "East Asia Bank" and "Shangtou Building" preserve the unrefined golden texture of old Shanghai. Standing at the crossroads, on one side is the weathered texture of Shikumen, and on the other, the modern light and shadow of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Time and space quietly converse at this moment. 🏨【Back Street of the Peace Hotel】 Turn into Dianchi Road and instantly leave behind the hustle and bustle of Nanjing East Road. Bluestone pavements, cast iron railings, old walls covered with vines... this is the "backside of time" of the Peace Hotel, where even the wind carries the lazy rhythm of old Shanghai jazz. 🌆【Yuanmingyuan Road: The Underrated International Architecture Blind Box】 This street, hiding half of Shanghai’s modern history, surprises at every step— ▪️ Born in the 1860s, it has witnessed many changes and is now a "living architectural museum": ✅ East side: The spired 【New Tian’an Church】 (built in 1886, the old high point on the south bank of Suzhou Creek), the tranquil former British Consulate, and the modern Peninsula Hotel neighboring historic buildings—a gentle handshake between old and new; ✅ West side: Eight row houses with distinct styles, from Queen Anne Revival to Art Deco, known as a "miniature international architectural cluster," where every brick softly tells the past. 🌟Must-visit Architectural List: 1⃣️【Zhanguang Building】 Designed by Hungarian architect Udvarhelyi, featuring dark brown brick walls and vertical glass windows, a textbook example of American Art Deco. It was once the site of the Chinese Baptist Bookstore and Shanghai University, blending literary charm with modernity. 2⃣️【Lanxin Building】 Formerly Shanghai’s first Western-style theater, "Lanxin Theater," rebuilt in 1929 with exquisite neoclassical carvings. It became a cultural landmark again after the film of the same name starring Gong Li. 3⃣️【Hami Building】 Former site of the Wen Hui Bao newspaper, it retains a solemn aura despite the years, with the warmth of old Shanghai’s ink and paper hidden in the brick joints. 4⃣️【Yuanmingyuan Apartments】 Bare brick walls with white reliefs, typical British Queen Anne Revival style. The patterns on the balcony railings resemble the lace hems of old times. 5⃣️【Amoy Trading Company】 British classical stone columns paired with a dome, now transformed into a Christie’s art space. The clash of oil paintings and old architecture makes every shot a work of art. 🌉【Zhapu Road Bridge: The Romantic Final Stop】 Walk along South Suzhou Road to Huqiu Road and step onto this century-old iron bridge known as the "sister bridge of Shanghai’s Waibaidu Bridge"— On the left is the golden skyline of the Bund buildings, on the right the shimmering waves of Suzhou Creek. At dusk, the sunset gilds the old buildings, and even the wind turns into a gentle orange. 📸 Strolling Tips: ▪️ Recommended to start after 3 PM when the slanting light adds more story to the old buildings; ▪️ Along Yuanmingyuan Road, there are niche cafes and art galleries. When tired, sit down for a coffee and watch the plane tree leaves fall on the stone pavement~ Avoid the crowds in Shanghai and hide in these "breathing old streets." Walk along the architectural patterns and listen as time softly says: "Hello, this is romance itself."