Jing'an is a central Shanghai district where a temple, a major metro interchange and a dense grid of commercial streets sit side by side. For a visitor it works as a base rather than a single sight: you are within easy reach of the rest of the city, and the streets around the temple and along the main roads give you shops, restaurants and transport on your doorstep.
For booking purposes, the useful way to think about Jing'an is in terms of the streets and landmarks the sources mention: the temple and its metro station, the elevated road that runs past it, the main commercial roads such as Nanjing West Road, Yan'an West Road, Beijing West Road, Huashan Road, Jiaozhou Road and Wulumuqi Road, and the side streets running north of the station. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, who each suits, and what kind of accommodation you find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Jing'an
1. Around Jing'an Temple and its metro station
This is the most practical base in the district. The temple and its station anchor the area, and the sources describe accommodation on the side streets north of the station as decent but less expensive than the large hotels. A hostel in the area is described as a ten-minute walk from Jing'an Temple, and a serviced apartment option sits at the Jing'an metro station itself, where you enter exit 6 for the adjoining mall.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants transport, food and shopping within walking distance. The main practical point is the elevated road: one large hotel is described as two blocks south of the station on the other side of the Yang'an elevated road, so check which side of it you are booking on if you want to be closest to the station.
2. Along and around Nanjing West Road
Nanjing West Road is one of the district's main commercial arteries, and the sources place several places to stay along it, including a design hotel on the west side of the road and an Art Deco hotel at number 170, near People's Park station. The same stretch is described as convenient for reaching the Bund, the Jade Buddha Temple and Nanjing Road.
It suits visitors who want to be on a major road with easy connections and a choice of accommodation types. The practical trade-off is noise: rooms with the good views facing Nanjing West Road also have to deal with the road's traffic noise, so consider a room away from the front if quiet matters to you.
3. The Yan'an West Road corridor
Yan'an West Road runs through the district and the sources list several mid-range options along it, including all-suite hotels and a hotel near the Jing'an Temple commercial district. One property on this road is described as about ten minutes from Shanghai Railway Station.
This suits travellers who want mid-range, suite-style accommodation and do not mind being on a long, busy artery rather than in the immediate orbit of the temple. The practical point is that this is a corridor rather than a compact neighbourhood, so the distance to the station and to the temple varies considerably depending on where on the road you are.
4. Jiaozhou Road and the surrounding side streets
Jiaozhou Road appears in the sources as a location for both budget and top-end accommodation: a youth hostel in a converted 1930s building that keeps its narrow lane, stone-frame and packing-case details, and a small luxury property nearby. The hostel is described as a ten-minute walk from Jing'an Temple and offers a lively atmosphere with a cafe and bar.
This suits budget travellers and anyone who wants a residential-feeling lane setting while staying central. The practical point is that the appeal here is the lane itself, so expect a smaller-scale street rather than a main road, with the temple and station reached on foot.
5. Wulumuqi Road (north) and the western edge
The sources place a four-star hotel on North Wulumuqi Road and serviced apartments on the same road, including one at number 199 with studio, twin and suite layouts. This is the quieter, more residential-feeling edge of the district.
It suits longer stays and business travellers, particularly those using serviced apartments, which the sources note are rented by the week or month and are mainly taken by people whose companies cover the cost. The practical point is that this area is a little removed from the temple and station cluster, so plan on using transport rather than walking everywhere.
6. Huashan Road and the Beijing West Road area
Huashan Road is home to a classic Spanish-style hotel with dining and leisure facilities, and Beijing West Road has a mid-range hotel with a Cantonese restaurant and leisure facilities including a sauna and fitness centre. These are established, quieter addresses than the temple cluster.
This suits visitors who prefer a calmer street and hotel facilities on site over immediate proximity to nightlife and shopping. The practical point is that you trade some of the convenience of the station area for a more low-key setting, so check how you will get to the sights you plan to see.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: youth hostels and simple hotels, including dormitory beds and private doubles, often in converted older buildings on side streets and lanes; some offer cafes, bars, bike hire, laundry and luggage storage, and a travel desk for booking tickets and tours.
- Mid-range: all-suite hotels, design hotels and established three- and four-star properties, typically with air-conditioned rooms, internet access, on-site restaurants and bars, and business or meeting facilities.
- Splurge: large international luxury hotels and small high-service properties, with extensive dining, business amenities and, in some cases, butler service; some occupy historic buildings on the main roads.
- Serviced apartments: studio, twin and suite layouts rented by the week or month, with business centres, meeting rooms and airport or city transfers, aimed mainly at business travellers on company budgets.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself around Jing'an Temple and its metro station. It puts you within walking distance of the temple, the shops and the transport you need to reach the rest of Shanghai, and the side streets north of the station give you a range of places to stay at lower prices than the large hotels. It is the simplest area to orient yourself from on a first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Jing'an is most convenient for getting around?
The area around Jing'an Temple and its metro station, where you can enter exit 6 for the adjoining mall. From there the rest of the district and the wider city are easy to reach, and several places to stay sit within a short walk.
Where should I stay if I want to be near the main sights?
Nanjing West Road is convenient for the Bund, the Jade Buddha Temple and Nanjing Road, according to the sources. Note that rooms with the good views facing Nanjing West Road also face the road's traffic noise.
Is there budget accommodation in Jing'an?
Yes. The sources describe a youth hostel on Jiaozhou Road, a ten-minute walk from Jing'an Temple, with dormitory beds and private doubles, plus a cafe and bar, free internet, bike hire, laundry and luggage lockers. There are also less expensive hotels along the side streets north of the station.
What if I am staying for several weeks?
Look at serviced apartments, which the sources say are rented by the week or month and are mainly used by business travellers whose companies cover the cost. Options appear on North Wulumuqi Road and Yu Yuan Road, with studio, twin and suite layouts.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page.