Old City

Tucked away in the east of Puxi are the remnants of Shanghai's Old City. Once encircled by a thick wall, a fragment of which still remains, the Old City has a sense of history among its fast disappearing old shikumen (stone gatehouses), temples, and markets; it wasn’t until 1854 that Chinese were allowed to move out of the so-called Chinese City and into the foreign concessions. Delve into narrow alleyways where residents still hang their washing out on bamboo poles and chamber pots remain in use. Burn incense with the locals in small temples, sip tea in a teahouse, or get a taste of Chinese snacks and street food. This is the place to get a feeling for Shanghai's past, but come soon: the wrecker's ball knows no mercy.