The centre most foreigners picture when they say Shanghai: lane houses and glass towers on the same block, four metro lines crossing under Jing'an Temple, and a shop, clinic or gym on every corner that will serve you in English.
At a glance
Life without Chinese
Metro access
Quiet at night
Value for money
Good for students
What is around
Metro17
Supermarket27
Park23
Pharmacy8
International hospital29
Shopping mall16
Counted from OpenStreetMap data for this district.
What works
Lines 1, 2, 7 and 12 meet here — most of the city is under 30 minutes away
Daily life works without Chinese: pharmacies, clinics, gyms, delivery apps
Walkable in a way little else in the city is
What to expect
Among the highest rents in China per square metre
Converted lane houses often have no lift and thin walls
Flats on Nanjing West Road are loud until late
Suits:Working professionalsCouplesA first move to China