A loop through the old walled city (Nanshi) following the official Huangpu old-town citywalk: Yu Garden and the City God Temple, then west along Fangbang Middle Road (Shanghai Old Street) into the lanes to the Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, the Confucian Temple and the Dajing Pavilion on the line of the old city wall.
Best time: Morning, before the Yu Garden crowds; Sunday morning for the book market around the Confucian Temple.
The route, stop by stop
- 1Yu Garden (Yuyuan)
Classical garden with more than 40 scenic spots, pavilions, rockeries and ponds; ticketed, metro Yuyuan Garden (Lines 10 and 14). 60 min
- 2City God Temple (Chenghuangmiao)
Taoist and folk temple of the city's three city gods, in the middle of the Yuyuan bazaar. 20 min
- 3Xiaotaoyuan Mosque
Shanghai's largest mosque (built 1917, rebuilt 1925-27) on Xiaotaoyuan Street, reached through the old-town lanes south of Fangbang Middle Road; view from outside unless open. 10 min
- 4Confucian Temple of Shanghai
Wenmiao, founded in the Yuan dynasty. Closed for a major renovation since 2021; the city said it would reopen in 2025, but no reopening was confirmed by October 2026, so see the gate and walls from Wenmiao Road. The Sunday book market moved away in 2020. 10 min
- 5Dajing Pavilion and Old City Wall
Small museum pavilion on Dajing Road, on the line of the old city wall; end of the loop near Laoximen. 20 min
More walks in Shanghai
- The Bund to the North Bund over Garden Bridge
- Former French Concession: Wukang Road to Anfu Road
- Xintiandi, Sinan Road and Fuxing Park
- Hongkou Jewish quarter: Tilanqiao
- Lujiazui riverside loop with the Huangpu ferry
- West Bund riverside art walk
- Yuyuan Road to Columbia Circle
- Suzhou Creek: M50 to the Garden Bridge
- Yangpu Riverside industrial heritage