Staying around People’s Square

People’s Square is the geographic and transport centre of Shanghai, which makes it exceptionally practical and not very atmospheric.

The reason to consider it is simple: it is often meaningfully cheaper than staying three blocks east toward the Bund, while being five minutes from the same things.

The practical case

You can reach the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, the Concession and Jing’an all within twenty minutes, and every airport connection is straightforward.

Hotels here often price below their Nanjing Road equivalents for nearly identical products.

What is there

The Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and People’s Park are all adjacent, which is a solid day of indoor activity for bad weather.

There is also excellent cheap eating in the lanes immediately north.

The honest trade-off

Step outside and you are at a major road junction with heavy traffic. It is not unpleasant, just unremarkable.

For a first trip where you want the romance of stepping out into old Shanghai, choose the Concession.

The downside

It is a transport interchange with hotels, not a neighbourhood you will enjoy walking.