Shanghai is a surprisingly compact place, considering its enormous population (17 million people), and although its layout is less obviously geometrical than that of Beijing, it's not hard to find your way around the various quarters on foot - though you'll certainly need buses or taxis for crossing from one quarter to the next.

There are a total of 16 districts in Shanghai including 4 districts in downtown, 1 district in Hongqaio area and Pudong new area.

The following map presents Shanghai's central districts.

Shanghai is split into two main areas, divided by the Huang Pu river. The West is known as Puxi and the East side is known as Pudong.

PUXI
It refers to downtown which also means "Old Shanghai". Most attractions are in Puxi: it is the heart of Shanghai, downtown and beyond where most of the shopping, dining, entertaining and schools are located. Living here is no doubt a bit more exciting, but a little crowded too. Life within the downtown districts of Xu Hui, Lu Wan, Huang Pu and Jing An ensures convenience to work, public transportation, restaurants and bars; as well as the traffic, noise and congestion that goes with living in one of the worlds busiest cities.

PUDONG
It is rapidly developing into the new trade and business heart of Shanghai and although it will take many more years of development, many businesses and properties are expanding through Pudong and out to the International airport.


For more information about Shanghai districts, Click here.