Introduction

North Sichuan Road is a north‑south street in Hongkou District, Shanghai, with a total length of 3.7 kilometres. Divided by North Suzhou Road, its southern and northern sections fall under the jurisdiction of North Sichuan Road Sub‑district.

Records of Shanghai Local Customs contains the following account: “North Sichuan Road was dotted with dance halls, low‑to‑mid‑grade cinemas, Cantonese restaurants, Cantonese teahouses, Cantonese‑run brothels, Japanese‑style restaurants, bathhouses, brothels for local patrons, European‑operated brothels, beauty salons and massage parlours. Apart from Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road, North Sichuan Road ranked among Shanghai’s most bustling thoroughfares, thronged with vehicles and pedestrians day and night.” [1]

In the early 1990s, the Shanghai Municipal Government carried out large‑scale renovation on North Sichuan Road. It has since developed into a distinctive commercial street “oriented toward wage‑earning residents”. North Sichuan Road is also regarded as Shanghai’s third‑largest commercial street, second only to Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road.

In November 2025, the renovation project for the Excellent Historical Building at No. 2365 North Sichuan Road was successfully completed.

Section Features

Southern Section

A Leisure‑Fashion Hub on the Northern Bank of Suzhou Creek Crossing the North Sichuan Road Bridge, visitors reach No. 1 North Sichuan Road, the Shanghai Post & Telecommunications Building. Marking the southern gateway of Hongkou, this area, together with the Bund and Lujiazui, forms Shanghai’s “Golden Triangle”. It is also the zone where the North Sichuan Road district integrates with the North Bund development plan.

Current Status: The stretch from Suzhou Creek to Haining Road constitutes the southern starting‑point of the whole North Sichuan Road planning zone, as well as the western end of the North Bund area. It neighbours the Bund Source project on the southern bank of Suzhou Creek and lies close to the Qipu Road commercial district. Numerous classical buildings are located here, including British‑style residences along Kunshan Garden Road and the well‑known dining street on Zhapu Road. Besides small street‑front shops, major commercial venues include the 21st‑Century Sports Mall, Shanghai Spring Department Store and Jiuzhou Gold Store. Office buildings in and around North Sichuan Road comprise Gaobao New‑Era Plaza, Jingwu Mansion, Fuhai Building, Yuhang Mansion, Shanghai Bund International Tower, Gulf Tower and Shenglong Building. These are mostly mid‑grade office properties with daily rental rates ranging from 2‑3 yuan per square metre, or even below 2 yuan. No premium‑grade real‑estate projects exist to support higher‑end surrounding commercial development.

Central Section

An Exemplary Zone Blending Ecology and Commerce This is the liveliest and most bustling segment of North Sichuan Road. It draws heavy pedestrian traffic thanks to convenient metro access and the pleasant ecological environment of North Sichuan Road Park, Aisi Children’s Park and Yujingpu Creek. A 3.7‑kilometre walking route runs from North Suzhou Road all the way to Lu Xun Park along North Sichuan Road.

Current Status: The section between Haining Road and West Hailun West Road enjoys convenient transport served by Metro Lines 3, 4 and 10. It contains the highest concentration of newly‑built residential compounds on North Sichuan Road, including International Mingjia City, Jiajie International Plaza, Kairun Jincheng and Rose Square. North Sichuan Road Park has been transformed into a public green space for recreation. This segment also boasts the strongest business atmosphere along the road. A mature small‑to‑medium‑sized commercial cluster centred on Fude Business Centre, Dongbao Department Store, Jiajie International Plaza and Kairun Jincheng has taken shape at the intersection of Dongbaoxing Road and North Sichuan Road. The Fuhai Commercial Building, acquired by Lehman Brothers in 2006, was later redeveloped with a fresh‑look renovation. The 30‑storey complex houses retail premises from Basement 1 to Level 5, and office spaces on Floors 6‑29.

Planning Vision: This section is planned around three core themes — water scenery, green spaces and metro transit. It will be developed into a business‑and‑leisure centre with Shanghai‑style cultural characteristics, integrating comprehensive commerce, entertainment, high‑end business offices and residential communities. An approximately 700‑metre‑long east‑west commercial corridor combining mid‑to‑high‑end shops and mass‑market retail will be built along Dongbaoxing Road. Station‑front retail outlets around Dongbaoxing Road Metro Station will serve as a key anchor for the central district. An east‑west pedestrian promenade will be laid alongside Yujingpu Creek, coordinated with the commercial corridor and existing green belt, creating an eco‑friendly and pleasant public environment. International‑themed gift and specialty shops are planned within the area.

Northern Section

Culture‑Led Leisure Boosting Fashion‑Oriented Commerce The northern segment carries the richest cultural heritage along North Sichuan Road. Duolun Road, Tian’ai Road, Liyang Road and Shanyin Road each possess unique charm. Historical sites, gardens, sports venues and cultural‑art facilities are gathered in this zone.

Current Status: Stretching from Hailun Road to Hongkou Football Stadium, this section forms one of Shanghai’s major transport hubs, served by Metro Lines 3 and 8, more than ten regular bus routes, former Tourist Bus Line 10 (now Bus Route 167), and the Shanghai Tourist Distribution Centre. The Dongtai Leisure Plaza, the largest comprehensive entertainment‑and‑leisure complex on North Sichuan Road, is located here. After renovation, Tianxing Department Store has attracted fashion brands such as ONLY and ESPRIT, while Starbucks has opened an outlet near Lu Xun Park. Fangzhou Mansion was once a well‑known office tower on North Sichuan Road.

Planning Vision: Leveraging transport‑hub‑oriented comprehensive development to stimulate station‑zone economy, a large‑scale integrated consumption centre, Dream Plaza, will be constructed. Comprehensive redevelopment will be accelerated in the zones around Hongkou Football Stadium, Lu Xun Park, and Phase II of the Duolun Road Cultural Celebrities Street. Full advantage will be taken of local cultural, sports, leisure and tourism resources to drive fashion‑oriented commerce via cultural‑leisure industries. The distinctive atmosphere of Tian’ai Road, Liyang Road and Shanyin Road will be preserved, supported by leisure venues such as open‑air tea terraces, music cafés and bars.

Metro Service

North Sichuan Road StationSituated underground at the cross‑roads of North Sichuan Road and Wujin Road, Hongkou District, it is the 11th station on Shanghai Metro Line 10, and was opened to public service on 10 April 2010. During its trial‑operation phase, only Exits 2, 3 and 4 were accessible. The two‑level station has four ground‑level entrances, three of which are located around the North Sichuan Road‑Wujin Road intersection. The underground first floor accommodates the ticket‑hall and fare‑control concourse, from which passengers enter the paid zone. Restrooms for the whole station are located near Exit 2 on the underground first floor. The underground second‑floor level contains platforms and railway tracks.

Bus Routes

Bus 6, 13, 14 (towards North Zhongshan No. 2Road), 17, 19, 21, 25, 47, 52, 55, 61, 63, 65, 167, 220, Night‑line 305, Night‑line 308, Night‑line 319, 510, 576, 854, 939, 948, Shenchuan Special‑line Bus