Shanghai Layout, the city layout of Shanghai (Tips, Photos & Map)

Quite Different from Beijing & Xian

The navigation of Shanghai is exhausting mainly due to the random city layout of Shanghai.

Shanghai is quite different from Beijing and Xian whose city layouts are based on the former imperial grid patterns as ancient capitals in successive dynasties. See the grid-like Xian city layout.

Shanghai Layout

But behind the seemingly irregular city pattern of Shanghai, people still can have a fairly clear picture of Shanghai orientation.

See the map below and the red line ( Huangpu River) divides Shanghai into two parts: West Part ( the traditional area) known as Puxi and East Part ( the newly developed area) known as Pudong.

Pudong Airport is in Pudong while Hongqiao Airport in Puxi.

The city proper of Shanghai is divided into two parts by Huangpu River – Puxi (West of Huangpu River) and Pudong (East of Huangpu River).

Puxi & Pudong

The old Shanghai with its major attractions such as Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, Jade Buddha Temple and the trendy Xitiandi are located in Puxi (west of Huangpu River).

Pudong (east of Huangpu River) is China’s future, a fast-developing economic development zone with maga shopping malls, skyscrapers such as Jinmao Tower, Oriental TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center. Pudong International Airport is located in Pudong area while Hongqiao International Airport in Puxi area.

Virtual Tour of Shanghai Layout

Follow us to have a virtual tour of Shanghai layout

Puxi (west of Huangpu River)

People’s Square is locally referred as the center of Puxi, broadly the center of Shanghai. People’s Square is a huge interchange station for the three important subway lines 1, 2, and 8. Some major attractions are located on People’s Square, such the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Art Museum, and Shanghai Grand Theatre and Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Hall.

Check out: How to Visit People’s Square in Shanghai

The Bund is about 1.6 km to the east of People’s Square. They are linked by are several streets, including the famous Shanghai Nanjing Road the China’s number-one commercial street. Shanghai International Cruise Port is located on the Huangppu River, just north of the Bund.

Check out: How to Visit the Bund in Shganghai

The south of People’s Square is one of Shanghai’s trendiest neighborhoods, teemed with colonial architecture and attractions. It accommodates some of the city’s most expensive real estate, its most faddy shops and restaurants, such as in Shanghai Xintiandi.

Check out: How to Visit Xintiandi

To the southwest of the Bund is the old towm, where the city of Shanghai developed from a small fishing village. The old Chinese city has retained a plethora of typically Chinese sights, such as the Yu Yuan Garden, several temples, and the Old Town Bazaar.

Check out: How to Visit Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar

The north of Puxi is home to a few attractions including the Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, the Lu Xun Museum, and the Ohel Moshe Synagogue.

Check out: Shanghai Hongqiao Airport for more information

To the west of People’s Square, beyond the Inner Ring Road, is the Hongqiao Development Zone, where Hongqiao International Airport is located. The Hongqiao Development Zone is a fast growing modern commercial and industrial development area.

Pudong (east of Huangpu River)

Just opposite the Bund is the Lujiazui which is home to the modern skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center as well as many restaurants, and shopping malls. The Lujiazui is often regarded as the commercial center of Pudong as well the whole Shanghai.

Check lout : How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong

Waigaoqiao Port is part of Shanghai Port 25km to the east of the Lujiazui of Pudong. At best, Waigaoqiao can handle four cruise ships at any one time. More than 100 international cruise ships are expected to stop by Shanghai each year.

Check out: Public Transportation at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Pudong International Airport is located in Pudong new zone, east of Huangpu River, about 30 kilometres from the city centre.

Hassle-free Shanghai Guided Tours

If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Shanghai:

Shanghai Tour
Shanghai Day Tour
Shanghai Multi-Day Tour
Shanghai Evening Tour
Shanghai Cruise Port ( Transfer& Excursions )
Shanghai Beijing Tour
Shanghai Xian Tour
Shanghai Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings

Top 10 Attractions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s Top 10 Iconic Landmarks
Top 10 Markets in Shanghai
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do at night in Shanghai
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in Shanghai
Top 10 Things to Do in Winter in Shanghai
Top 10 Souvenirs in Shanghai
Top 10 Photo Spots in Shanghai
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Shanghai
Top Things to Do for Kids in Shanghai
Top family-friendly spots to visit in Shanghai
Top 10 Shanghai Museums
Doing things the local way in Shanghai
Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival

How to Plan a Trip to Shanghai
Best time to visit Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai on a Budget
Where to stay in Shanghai
Visit Shanghai in December
How to Visit Shanghai in November
Visit Shanghai in October
How to Visit Shanghai in March
Visit Shanghai in February
Shanghai in January Travel Guide
Shanghai Layout, the city layout of Shanghai

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
Public Transportation at Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
Huangpu River Cruis e Ticket Booking (Tickets, Photos and Map)
Shanghai Hop On Hop Off
Ferry from the Bund to Pudong
The highest al fresco dining venue in China
Shopping in Pudong Shanghai
Top 10 Shanghai Classic Vegetarian Restaurants
Beijing Shanghai high speed rail
Ticket Booking for Beijing Shanghai High Speed Rail
Top 10 Shanghai Budget Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Luxury Hotels
Top 10 Shanghai Boutique Hotels

Tips for Visiting Nanjing Road in Shanghai
The Neon-Colored Nanjing Road
Night walk along Nanjing Road in Shanghai
How to Visit the Bund in Shanghai (Tips, Photos & Map)
The Bund at Night pictures
Foggy Pudong Skyline at Sunrise, Shanghai
The Bund and Small Pool of Rainwater
Early Morning Kite Flyers on the Bund in Shanghai
Historic Buildings on the Bund in Shanghai (the 22 heritage buildings)
Evening View of the Bund and Pudong Skyline Shanghai
How to Visit Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar
The Old World Charm in Shanghai (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Lujiazui in Pudong
How to Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town
How to Visit Qibao Ancient Town
How to Visit Tianzifang
How to Visit Xintiandi
How to Visit Shanghai World Financial Center
How to Visit Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai Tower
Tips for Visiting People’s Square, Shanghai
How to Visit Shanghai Auto Museum
Feeling Chinese New Year’s Atmosphere in Shanghai

How to Visit Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou and Shanghai
Huangpu River in Shanghai VS River Thames in London
Some similarities and differences between Paris and Shanghai

Any questions, just drop a line.