18 amazing things to do on Wuyuan Lu

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Compared to the hustle and bustle of Wukang Lu or its buzzing neighbour Wulumuqi Lu, Wuyuan Lu feels like their quieter little kid sister. Low-key and full of charm, this 820-metre, tree-lined street is sprinkled with independent cafés, quirky restaurants and hidden boutiques tucked away in old residential compounds. If you feel like chilling on a Sunday afternoon, far from the maddening crowd, this is the place.

Got extra time to kill? Check out the best things to do on Changle, Anfu and Wulumuqi Lu – literally just around the corner.

Bird

This relaxed wine bar and kitchen set serve a rotating menu of creative Chinese-influenced cuisine, with some signature dishes that have become regulars. It also has a good selection of natural wine.

50 Wuyuan Lu

Bitter

A fashionable café and aperitivo bar, next door to partner concept Bird, that's perfect for a lazy late-afternoon drink or early evening cocktail.

58 Wuyuan Lu

Chill

A small opening inside what seems like the first floor of a residential building leads to a treasure trove filled with handwoven Persian tapestries and crafts – carpets, cushion covers and even patterned cup stands – all imported from Iran.

67 Wuyuan Lu

Spicy Moment

For nine years, this low-profile Hunan diner has been serving up fiery dishes like crab tofu, lazi ji (chilli pepper chicken) and spicy frog – remember to ask for liquorice tea to help cool your mouth afterwards. Also suitable for vegetarian-friendly ordering.

71A Wuyuan Lu

My Life

Its facade painted in Mediterranean blue, this flower shop is a place to let your creativity run wild with roses, lilies and sprays of baby's breath. It's reasonably priced and when you need some inspiration, the owners are there to offer helpful suggestions.

71 Wuyuan Lu

Cin Cin Wine Bar & Cellar

Housing a huge shelf filled with more than 200 bottles sourced from all over the world, Cin Cin hits the spot for both a casual business meeting or get-together with friends. If you're looking for suggestions on what to drink, down-to-earth owner and sommelier Yudi Yu gives excellent recommendations.

86 Wuyuan Lu

Area 31

One for caffeine nerds, this minimalist indie café makes your coffeeshop standards with a custom La Marzocca lever-actuated espresso machine – which is said to be better at retaining the coffee bean oils.

88B Wuyuan Lu

Senator Saloon

This dimly-lit and cosy speakeasy-style bar is a fantastic throwback to the Prohibition Era. Hidden behind red curtains and decorated in dark lacquered wood, it serves more than 50 cocktails made primarily with bourbon, rye and gin. Soak up the liquor with bites like cheese edamame, chicken wings and fries.

98 Wuyuan Lu

Crazy Oyster House

A casual spot to slurp some fresh oysters and wash them down with a glass of wine. Imported oysters hail from various corners of the world depending on the season and the kitchen also turns out a range of basic French-inspired dishes.

88A Wuyuan Lu

Shanghailander

The second location after its original Wulumuqi Nan Lu branch, this spacious, Art Deco-inspired café is decorated with green armchairs upholstered in a retro panda pattern, dark wood cupboards and an old-school piano. Food and drinks are served on colourful vintage enamelware and in Mondrian-patterned glasses. The café also sells a selection of pastries (try the almond tiles).

92 Wuyuan Lu

Miss Fu in Chengdu

Located inside an old three-storey mansion, this Sichuanese chain restaurant has a swirling staircase leading straight up to the third floor with more seats on the terrace. It's famous for its mouth-numbing chuan chuan (spicy skewers) alongside other favourites like brown sugar rice cakes and braised pork trotters.

137 Wuyuan Lu

Diner

It's all about American indulgence at this 'diner gone cosmopolitan', which serves gussied up takes on traditional American breakfast fare like French toast and pancakes as well as juicy burgers and crispy Southern-style fried chicken.

145 Wuyuan Lu

Monkey

This intimate cocktail bar has been around for 11 years across multiple homes, its latest sitting on the floor just above Diner. Come between 6-8pm for 60RMB happy hour and don't sleep on the spicy quail eggs.

145 Wuyuan Lu

FZ H Within

This independent clothing and accessories store sells quirky handmade hats, hairbands, totes and dresses using reclaimed fabrics sourced from around the globe. It also offers custom tailoring services (prices vary depending on the fabric) and if you're looking for more, they've got a bigger store on Yongjia Lu (number 362).

124 Wuyuan Lu

HOMTIQUE

This homeware boutique seems expensive at first look – the vermillion Nemo mask chair sitting in the yard, for one – and you wouldn't be wrong. Price tags aside, the owner's meticulous taste and the artfully displayed European designer furniture and decor are reason enough to walk inside.

250 Wuyuan Lu

HandS Antiquité

Open the gate that seemingly just leads to a residential complex and you'll find yourself falling down a rabbit hole filled with a collection of antique furniture, homeware and decor from all corners of the Earth.

No 2, Lane 270 Wuyuan Lu

Former Residence of Zhang Leping

Zhang Leping is the creator of one of the most iconic characters in Chinese comic book history, Sanmao – an orphan living through the harsh conditions of Shanghai's concessions during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This three-storey mansion served as Zhang's residence from 1950 to 1992 and is now a museum that celebrates his life-long work.

No 3, Lane 288 Wuyuan Lu

Godly Vegetarian Restaurant

Open since 1922, Godly makes traditional mock meat dishes like crispy 'duck', 'pork belly' or sour and sweet 'ribs', all made from soy and other vegetarian products. There are two Godly restaurants on Wuyuan Lu – number 82 sells packaged vegetarian produce and number 303 has a dining area.

303 Wuyuan Lu

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