Slow Shanghai: Wukang Road Under the Plane Trees, a River Ferry at Night and a Suzhou Garden

Photos in this guide are AI-generated images of fictional POPORO CITY characters, made to illustrate the places; they are not real travel photos. Opening hours, prices and transport details change, so please check official sources before you go.

Shanghai moves fast, but some of its best moments are slow ones. Our Shanghai travel guide covers the Bund, the old water town of Zhujiajiao and the big sights. This spin-off adds three quieter experiences: an afternoon walk under the plane trees of Wukang Road, an evening crossing of the Huangpu River on a local ferry, and a day trip by high-speed train to the classical gardens of Suzhou.

1. Wukang Road and the former French Concession

What it is: Wukang Road is a gently curving street in the former French Concession, lined with plane trees and early twentieth-century villas and apartment buildings. Its best-known landmark is the wedge-shaped Wukang Mansion (once the Normandie Apartments) at the junction with Huaihai Road, one of the most photographed buildings in the city. Along the road and the lanes around it you find small boutiques, bakeries, bookshops and cafes in converted houses.

Getting there: Jiaotong University Station (Metro Lines 10 and 11) and Shanghai Library Station (Line 10) are both within walking distance. The street is best explored on foot, wandering off into side streets such as Anfu Road and Yongkang Road.

Best time: late October to late November, when the plane tree leaves turn gold and the light is soft in the afternoon. Weekday mornings are calmer; on weekends the corner by Wukang Mansion fills with photographers.

Tips: many of the old houses are private residences, so keep to the street and do not walk into courtyards. Look for the small heritage plaques on facades, which describe each building's history. Some cafes and shops expect mobile payment; set up a payment app that accepts foreign cards before you travel, and carry a little cash as backup.

2. The Huangpu River ferry at night

What it is: sightseeing cruises are the famous way to see the Bund and the Lujiazui skyline from the water, but Shanghai also runs simple public ferries across the Huangpu for commuters. The crossing takes only a few minutes for a very small fare, and from the open deck you see the historic Bund buildings on one side and the towers of Pudong on the other.

Getting there: a commonly used route links Jinling Road East on the Bund side with Dongchang Road on the Pudong side; both piers are a short walk from the riverfront promenades. Check current routes and hours locally, as piers and schedules change.

Best time: after dark, when the Bund and Pudong are lit. The lights are usually on in the evening, but the exact hours vary and may change on holidays, so confirm on the day.

Tips: ferries can be crowded at commuter times, so a slightly later evening crossing is more relaxed. Stand near the rail on the side facing the skyline you want. On the Pudong side, the riverside walk is quieter than the Bund promenade and gives the classic view back across the water.

3. A classical garden in Suzhou

What it is: Suzhou, west of Shanghai, is famous for its classical gardens, created by scholars and officials over several centuries and listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are designed as small worlds: ponds, rockeries, pavilions, covered corridors and round "moon gates" that frame each view like a painting. The Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest and best known, the Lingering Garden is famous for its corridors and rocks, and the Master of the Nets Garden is small and refined.

Getting there: high-speed trains from Shanghai Station or Shanghai Hongqiao reach Suzhou or Suzhou North in roughly 25 to 40 minutes, with frequent departures. Bring your passport: it is needed for train tickets and often for garden reservations.

Best time: late autumn is mild and the maples in some gardens turn red; go early in the morning before tour groups arrive. Some gardens hold seasonal evening openings or performances; check the official information for dates.

Tips: popular gardens may require advance real-name reservations, especially on weekends and holidays, so book ahead through the official channels. Give each garden at least an hour and a half, and walk slowly; the design rewards stopping at every window and gate. Pingjiang Road, a canal-side lane in the old town, is a pleasant place for tea between gardens.

Putting it together

• Day 1: the Bund in the morning, Wukang Road and the former French Concession in the afternoon, a ferry crossing after dark.
• Day 2: an early train to Suzhou, two gardens and Pingjiang Road, back to Shanghai for dinner.
• Day 3: Zhujiajiao or another sight from the main Shanghai guide.
• Paperwork: entry and visa rules for Korean and other passport holders have changed several times recently; confirm current requirements with official sources before booking.

The photos show the mood of each place through our fictional POPORO CITY characters: Maya, a stylist character, pausing at a boutique window under the gold leaves; Cevo, a reporter character, catching the skyline from the ferry deck; and Nala, a florist character, stepping through a moon gate.

More travel planning: POPORO BLOG. Our characters also share Korean-language trip notes on the KPOPORO Naver blog.