If you have been swept up in the golden-hued nostalgia of Blossoms Shanghai (繁花) — the critically acclaimed 2023 TV drama directed by Wong Kar-wai — you are not alone. Set in the roaring 1990s Shanghai business world, the show turned the city itself into a character. The good news? Almost every iconic backdrop is a real place you can visit today.
Here is your complete guide to the key filming locations, what to see, and how to get there.
1. Peace Hotel (和平饭店 / Fairmont Peace Hotel)
The Bund, 20 Nanjing Road East, Huangpu District
In the Drama
The Peace Hotel is the beating heart of Blossoms Shanghai. From the very first episode, protagonist Baozong (played by Hu Ge) and his mentor Uncle rent the legendary “British Suite” as their base of operations. It is also where Baozong invites Wang Xiaojie to ring in the New Year — one of the show’s most memorable scenes.
What to See and How to Shoot
Built in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel, the Peace Hotel is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in Asia. The green copper pyramid roof is instantly recognizable from the Bund waterfront. Step inside the grand lobby and you are transported back a century. The Jazz Bar on the ground floor has hosted live jazz every evening since 1980 — arrive at 7 PM for the full old-Shanghai atmosphere. For photos, the best angle is from the Bund promenade across the street at dusk, when the building glows gold against the Huangpu River.
Getting There
Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station, Exit 2 — 5-minute walk. From Pudong Airport: approximately 45 minutes by metro (Line 2 direct). From Hongqiao Airport: approximately 40 minutes by metro.
2. Huanghe Road (黄河路)
Huanghe Road, Huangpu District (near People’s Square)
In the Drama
Huanghe Road is the show’s most iconic street — the epicenter of Shanghai’s restaurant boom in the 1990s. The fictional “Zhizhen Garden” (至真园), where Baozong conducts his business deals over lavish banquets, is based on the real restaurant Taisheng Garden (苔圣园) at No. 50 Huanghe Road. After the show aired, the street became an overnight sensation.
What to See and How to Shoot
Huanghe Road is a short, atmospheric street lined with traditional Shanghai restaurants. Visit at night when the warm amber restaurant lights spill onto the pavement — this is exactly the look from the show. Taisheng Garden (苔圣园) at No. 50 is the must-visit spot; its five floors of glowing orange windows are unmistakable. Book a table in advance if you want to dine there. For photos, stand at the southern end of the street and shoot northward at night for the full cinematic effect.
Getting There
Metro Line 1, 2, or 8 to People’s Square Station, Exit 8 — 3-minute walk. Easily combined with a visit to the nearby Shanghai Museum or Nanjing Road pedestrian street.
3. No. 27 The Bund — Roosevelt Mansion (外滩27号 / 罗斯福公馆)
27 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District
In the Drama
This grand 8-story building served as the exterior of the Shanghai Foreign Trade Company where Wang Xiaojie (played by Tang Yan) works. Built in 1920 in English Renaissance Revival style, it was originally the Shanghai headquarters of Jardine Matheson — one of the most powerful British trading houses in Asia.
What to See and How to Shoot
Today the building operates as Roosevelt Mansion, with a rooftop bar on the 8th floor offering arguably the best panoramic view of the Bund and Huangpu River in Shanghai. The 6th floor houses the Jiushi Art Museum, featuring works by Shanghai masters. The building’s stone facade and arched windows make for stunning architectural photography — best shot in the morning light before the crowds arrive. The famous line from the show, “When Remy Martin opens, good things naturally come” (人头马一开，好事自然来), was set here — order a cognac at the rooftop bar and live the moment.
Getting There
Metro Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station, Exit 2 — 5-minute walk along the Bund. Directly adjacent to the Peace Hotel, making these two stops a natural pairing.
4. Jinxian Road (进贤路)
Between Shaanxi South Road and Maoming Road, Xuhui District
In the Drama
This quiet, 400-meter-long lane is the real-world inspiration for the street where Lingzi runs her small restaurant “Yedong Tokyo” (夜东京) — the show’s intimate, neighborhood counterpoint to the glitzy world of Huanghe Road. It represents the quieter, more human side of 1990s Shanghai.
What to See and How to Shoot
Jinxian Road is one of Shanghai’s most charming old lanes — a mix of French Concession-era architecture, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and local life. It has not been over-touristed yet, which makes it feel authentic. Several beloved Shanghai restaurants line the street: Haijinzi, Chun Restaurant, and Lanxin Restaurant are all worth a stop. Order a Sapporo beer and some cold dishes and soak in the atmosphere. Best photographed in the late afternoon when the plane trees cast dappled shadows on the old facades.
Getting There
Metro Line 1 to Shaanxi South Road Station — 5-minute walk. This area sits in the heart of the French Concession, so combine it with a stroll through Fuxing Park and Sinan Road.
5. Park Hotel Shanghai (国际饭店)
170 Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District
In the Drama
In one of the show’s most evocative scenes, young Baozong gazes from a balcony toward the Park Hotel, watching Shanghai transform before his eyes. The hotel was the tallest building in Asia for nearly 50 years after its completion in 1934 — a symbol of Shanghai’s ambition and modernity.
What to See and How to Shoot
The Park Hotel’s dark brick Art Deco tower is a striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers around it. The hotel’s ground-floor bakery became famous after the show aired for its butterfly pastries (蝴蝶酥) — expect a queue, but they are worth it. For photos, shoot from People’s Square looking north to capture the tower against the sky. The hotel lobby retains much of its original 1930s interior design.
Getting There
Metro Line 1, 2, or 8 to People’s Square Station, Exit 10 — 2-minute walk. Right next to Huanghe Road, making this an easy double stop.
Suggested Itinerary: The Blossoms Shanghai City Walk
All five locations sit within a compact area of central Shanghai and can be covered in a single day:
Morning: Start at the Peace Hotel and No. 27 The Bund — walk the Bund promenade for the classic river view.
Lunch: Head to Huanghe Road for a traditional Shanghai lunch at Taisheng Garden.
Afternoon: Walk to People’s Square, visit the Park Hotel bakery for butterfly pastries, then explore the Shanghai Museum nearby.
Evening: Take the metro to Jinxian Road for dinner at one of the old-school Shanghai restaurants. End the night with a drink at the Roosevelt Mansion rooftop bar.
Practical Tips for Western Travelers
- Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for mild weather and beautiful light.
- Getting to Shanghai: Pudong International Airport (PVG) handles most international flights. Hongqiao Airport (SHA) serves domestic routes. Both connect directly to the city center by metro.
- Getting around: Shanghai’s metro system is excellent, cheap, and easy to navigate with English signage. All five locations are on or near major metro lines.
- Dress the part: Several Hanfu and 1990s-style costume rental shops have opened near Huanghe Road since the show aired — a fun way to recreate the drama’s aesthetic for photos.
- Language: English is spoken at the Peace Hotel and Roosevelt Mansion. For Huanghe Road restaurants, a translation app is helpful.
Ready to step into the world of Blossoms Shanghai? Shanghai is waiting.