Shanghai Jiao Tong University Area

Budget-friendly spots and eclectic charms

Some of the city’s more affordable and lively dining and nightlife options have naturally sprung up around Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Xuhui Campus. At Xingfu Li complex on Panyu Lu, for instance, you’ll find casual al fresco restaurants; Insta-friendly cafes that serve specialty coffee and bubble tea; and Nice to Meet You, a beautiful bookshop that stocks quirky gifts and home products. Shanghai insiders often refer to this part of town as the "gaybourhood" thanks to LGBTQ-friendly venues like Lucca 390, which hosts parties and eccentric themed nights every week. If you’re in the mood for some Yunnan food, Lotus Eatery on Dingxi Lu delivers some deeply flavourful renditions of dishes such as pan-fried goat cheese and black chicken salad with lime and chillies.

The area is more residential than visitor-minded, so we’d recommend staying at one of the hotels back in the Jing’an Temple area – a short drive away on the Yan’an Elevated Road. The PuLi Hotel & Spa, which brands itself as an urban resort, is a great place to escape Shanghai’s buzzing lights and crowded streets and tuck in for a restful night.