A whisper of silk and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages. That’s the scent and sound of Nanjing West Road. It wasn’t always Nanjing West Road though. Originally known as Bubbling Well Road this street boasts a rich history stretching back to the 1860s.
Before luxury boutiques and high-end department stores lined Nanjing West Road it was a residential area. Mansions and estates dotted the landscape. These have mostly vanished replaced by the gleaming storefronts of today. The name Bubbling Well Road came from a spring at Jing’an Temple. This temple gave the road its first name Jing’an Temple Road. The road was initially a private one. Tolls were collected at gates marking its beginning and end. When these tolls dwindled the Shanghai Municipal Council took over.
This marked a turning point. The council invested in infrastructure. They planted trees initially willows later plane trees. Pipes were laid drainage ditches dug. The road was widened. Streetlamps appeared first gas then electric. In 1879 to improve pedestrian safety a raised sidewalk was built. Two patrol officers were stationed to manage horse-drawn carriage traffic. The street was evolving.
Nanjing West Road reflects Shanghai’s journey. It transformed from a colonial outpost into a modern metropolis. Think of the modernization of Shanghai reflected in this street’s development. The filling in of Western Bubbling Spring River allowed for the westward extension of the road. This process lasted until 1952. The original water feature is now long gone.
In 1945 after World War II Jing’an Temple Road and Nanjing Road East were renamed. Thus Nanjing West Road was born. It is now home to the Shanghai Exhibition Center many luxury hotels high-end shopping and modern office buildings. More than 1200 brands call it home. Over 750 are international. Many top brands have flagship stores here.
Walk along Nanjing West Road today. Feel the pulse of this historic street. See the blend of old and new. Remember the spring the temple the horse-drawn carriages. Experience the evolution of Shanghai encapsulated in this vibrant street.