To the Old French Concession, with its beautiful plane tree tunnel. After having your taste buds captivated by the cutting-edge digital panda (Chef Baobao), head to the “Old French Concession”—the site of the foreign settlement (concession) that was under French rule from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Once known as the “Paris of the East,” this area—with its green tunnel of plane trees and rows of beautiful, retro Western-style buildings—is truly a miraculous oasis of relaxation in Shanghai! Right now, the spot that stands out as particularly bustling in this area is the “Wukang Building.” The Wukang Building is a historic apartment complex completed in 1924, now over 100 years old. It is characterized by its unique shape, built to fit the incredibly sharp corner where six roads intersect at a six-way intersection. As an “Instagrammable” landmark symbolizing modern Shanghai, it has become a hugely popular spot attracting tourists from all over the world. Next, we’ll head to “Sinan Mansions,” a beautiful area that preserves the history and prestige of the former French Concession. This was once a place where leading cultural figures and VIPs flocked to build their mansions. Today, while retaining its original charm, it has been transformed into a high-end destination for strolling, featuring a collection of select shops, restaurants, and stylish cafes.
What is the true identity of the giant “ship” that has appeared on Nanjing West Road!? After enjoying a nostalgic stroll through the former French Concession, head to Nanjing West Road, one of Shanghai’s most iconic shopping streets. This area is said to be one of Shanghai’s premier prime locations, lined with massive flagship stores of high-end global brands and luxury malls. “Anchored” right in the middle of this area is “The Louis” (Lu Yi Hao), a massive ship-shaped complex opened by Louis Vuitton in the summer of 2025. The area around the ship’s dazzling silver Monogram hull was bustling with people trying to capture its overwhelming exterior on camera! I truly felt the tremendous power and sense of speed that Shanghai possesses today. And right next to “The Louis” stands a building resembling a circular theater—the “Starbucks Reserve Roastery Shanghai,” which caused quite a stir when it opened in 2017 as the “world’s largest.” The interior, equipped with massive roasting facilities, is absolutely stunning—it’s practically a coffee theme park! However, this time I only popped in to use the restroom (sorry about that). The reason I deliberately skipped one of the world’s largest Starbucks locations was because “CHAGEE (Ba Wang Cha Ji),” a trendy shop I really wanted to visit, was right nearby. CHAGEE is a premium Chinese tea specialty shop that’s become an explosive hit in China’s beverage scene, gaining momentum that’s even surpassing Starbucks. When I tried their signature drink, “Boya Zhe Xian (Jasmine Milk Tea),” the gorgeous aroma of jasmine filled my nose, and the mouthfeel was incredibly light. It wasn’t too sweet—it had a refreshing, elegant flavor—and it was absolutely delicious! By the way, while CHAGEE (Hawang Chahui) is causing a huge sensation across Asia, including Malaysia, it hasn’t made its way to Japan yet. I heard there were massive lines when it launched in South Korea this past April, so I can’t help but hope, “After South Korea, will Japan finally be next!?”
© Source travel watch