Local Talk: Wulumuqi Nan Lu

From its quiet beginning at Dongping Lu to its end at the heaving intersection with Zhaojiabang Lu, Wulumuqi Nan Lu in Xuhui District offers an array of different shops, cafes and spas that make for a tireless weekend shopping trip. Take a trip down on Line 7 to Zhaojiabang Lu station and enjoy our pick of the best…

  gloLondon

Popular restaurant and bar serving some of the best British grub we’ve had in Shanghai. Now the rooftop terrace is open again for spring, you’ll want to secure a seat and take advantage of Pig Out Monday (RMB 100 for helpings of one pig roast) or the Wine Away Midweek Wednesday offer of half price martinis (RMB 40). Now that it’s ice cream season, you’ll not want to miss their Guy Fawkes ice cream (RMB 98 serves two) either.

1 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Dongping Lu

Hongqiao Restaurant

A reasonably priced Shanghainese restaurant serving some of the best local dishes we’ve tried in the city. The stir-fried shredded eel (RMB 68) and dried wheat gluten with pork stuffing (RMB 38) are both musts. And the most exciting part is that every month for RMB 100, ladies can learn how to make dishes like these themselves in the monthly cooking class! This month, on 8 May at 11am you can learn how to make aubergine sautéed with beef, and fried noodles with green peas.

406 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Zhaojiabang Lu

Mentor Beauty

Quaint little massage parlour at the intersection of Jianguo Lu offering a range of treatments. The facials, which use Swissline products, are particularly popular, but we recommend going whole hog and investing in one of the relaxing spa programs: either RMB 700 for the Zen Spa, or RMB 780 for the Tropical Rainforest. There’s also the Vein Passages Sunstroke treatment for RMB 630 which we can see being popular as it heats up.

287 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Jianguo Lu

Haus 658

Luxury high-end furniture boutique selling some truly unique and out of the ordinary products that will make your home the envy of all your friends. Three floors of beautiful showroom space that don’t skimp on any details, their new spring collection can be found, featuring some gorgeous, creative works of art including this beautiful candle holder (RMB 3,182) by Dutch designer Jan Wolleswinkel. Also look out for their incredibly impressive giraffe and rhino sculptures.

288 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Jianguo Lu

Soleil de Provence

Newly opened French bistro and wine bar, Soleil de Provence is a lovely place to while away an afternoon, and worth checking out before the masses find out about it. Afternoon tea from 2 – 5pm at RMB 58 is a steal and includes a free coffee/tea refill including one dessert (we recommend the Cannelés de Bordeaux (caramel cake, RMB 52). Ask to see the wine cellar, which contains an impressive selection of imported wines with all house bottles available at RMB 160 on Fridays. Sacre bleu!

302 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Zhaojiabang Lu

Jack Peng Handmade Shoes

Cute little store which crafts one-of-a-kind leather shoes for both men and women. Whether you’re looking for a stylish pair of boots or flats, or just some classic Oxfords for the office, they’re all here, and you can also find wallets and belts to match. Prices start at RMB 1,900. A catalogue of ready made leather shoes are also available from RMB 1,600 upwards.

Lane 85, 2 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Hengshan Lu

Shanghai Triathlon and Multisports Shop

Pretty hidden away, down a small alley, the Shanghai Triathlon and Multisports Shop is a worthy find. Originally started as an online forum in 2004 to bring together people interested in outdoor pursuits, the oldest Triathlon Club in Shanghai has since opened its own store, selling a wide selection of fitness gear, energy products and accessories as well as some limited edition race bikes. Some great backpacking bags can be found here (RMB 460) to kick-start your summer adventures as well  as the increasingly popular compression pants (RMB 850).
Bldg 27, 396 Wulumuqi Nan Lu, near Zhaojiabang Lu