Fang Wang
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I’ve been guiding tourists through Shanghai for over a decade. And every week, someone asks me the same thing: “How do I get to Tianzifang without wasting half my day?”
Here is the catch: most online guides will tell you to take Metro Line 9 to Dapuqiao and walk. That works — but only if you enjoy being packed like a sardine during rush hour and then fighting through a maze of identical alleys. I always tell my clients: skip the metro if you have more than two people and a bit of budget.
Let me save you some money and time. Below is the real breakdown — tested by me and hundreds of travelers.
Metro: Cheapest but Crowded
Yes, the metro is the cheapest way. But it’s also the most confusing for first-timers. Here’s how to do it right.
Which Line and Exit?
Take Metro Line 9 to Dapuqiao Station (打浦桥). Use Exit 1. Once you exit, you’ll see a pedestrian bridge — cross it and walk straight for about 3 minutes. Tianzifang’s main entrance (Taikang Road) will be on your left.
Pro tip from my own pain: Exit 1 puts you right in front of a Starbucks. If you see a Starbucks, you’re on the right track. But during weekends, the stairway from the platform to the ticket gate gets bottlenecked. I once spent 8 minutes just climbing those stairs. If you’re in a hurry, consider the next option.
Hours and Fares
Metro runs from about 5:30 am to 10:30 pm (last train around 10:20 from Dapuqiao inbound). A single ticket from People’s Square costs 4 RMB (≈ $0.55). You can use Alipay or WeChat Pay to scan the QR code at the gate. International credit cards? Forget it — they don’t work at the ticket machines. Buy a Shanghai Public Transportation Card at any station (refundable deposit 20 RMB) or download the Shanghai Metro app.
When to Avoid the Metro
Weekday rush hours (8:00-9:30 am and 5:30-7:00 pm) and all day on weekends. The station itself is fine, but the alleyways inside Tianzifang become a human river. If you arrive at 11 am on a Saturday, expect to shuffle at the pace of a snail.
Taxi / Didi: Best for Groups
Here’s my personal favorite for groups of 3 or more or if you’re carrying luggage. A taxi from the Bund area takes about 20 minutes (non-peak) and costs around 30-40 RMB. Didi (Chinese Uber) is even better — you can estimate the fare in advance and avoid language issues.
How to Call a Didi
Download the Didi Chuxing app (international version available). Set your pickup and drop-off as “Tianzifang (Sinan Mansions side)” to avoid traffic on Taikang Road. The app supports English. Pay with Alipay, WeChat, or international credit card (Visa/Mastercard sometimes work — I’ve had mixed results).
Drop-Off Point
Ask the driver to drop you at “Taikang Road near Sinan Road”. That’s the south entrance, which is less crowded than the north. From there, walk 2 minutes into the lane. Never let a driver take you to the main gate on Taikang Road — that’s where all the tour buses dump people, and it’s a nightmare.
Bus: A Local’s Alternative
Few tourists take the bus, but it’s actually a hidden gem for avoiding metro crowds. Two lines stop within a 5-minute walk: Bus 17 and Bus 24. Get off at “Ruijin 2nd Road Jianguo Middle Road” stop. From there, walk east along Jianguo Middle Road for 5 minutes, then turn left into Sinan Road. You’ll hit the quiet south entrance of Tianzifang.
Fare is 2 RMB. Pay with a transport card or scan Alipay’s “Shanghai Bus” QR code. The bus is slower (add 10-15 minutes compared to metro), but you get to see local life — old ladies with shopping carts, students chatting, and the occasional street food vendor.
Bike or Walk: For the Adventurous
Shanghai is flat and increasingly bike-friendly. If you’re staying in the French Concession area, cycling to Tianzifang is my top recommendation. Rent a shared bike (Mobike, HelloBike) via their apps (Alipay integration works). The ride from Huaihai Road takes about 10 minutes.
Walk if you’re near Xintiandi — it’s a lovely 15-minute stroll through tree-lined streets and historic villas. Just follow Sinan Road south until you hit the buzz of Tianzifang.
Where to Park
There’s a designated bike parking area at the south entrance (Sinan Road side). Don’t lock your bike to trees or poles — they get removed quickly. The parking is free and guarded.
Avoiding Crowds and Scams
Now, the part most guides won’t tell you.
Timing is everything. Tianzifang looks best at 8:30 am — the shops are just opening, the light is soft, and you can actually see the architecture. By 10 am, it’s a sardine can. I’ve seen tourists literally crying from claustrophobia in July.
Scam alert: At the metro exit, you might be approached by people offering “guided tours” for 100 RMB. They’ll take you to a “local art studio” that’s actually a souvenir trap. Politely say “bù yào” and keep walking.
Bathroom break: The public toilets inside Tianzifang are… an experience. Long queues and questionable hygiene. Use the Starbucks at Dapuqiao Exit 1 before entering. Trust me.
Tried the walking route recommended here (starting from Xintiandi). It was about 20 minutes of charming tree-lined streets, past beautiful shikumen houses, and ended right at the entrance of Tianzifang. No crowds, no ticket machines, just a pleasant stroll. My friend who took the metro arrived sweaty and grumpy from the transfer. This is the way to go! 5/5, would do it again.
Followed this advice to the letter—took the bus No. 17 from People's Square instead of metro. Absolutely loved it! The bus route wound through old Shanghai neighborhoods I'd never seen before, full of street food stalls and laundry hanging out windows. Got off just two stops from Tianzifang and felt like I'd discovered a secret layer of the city. The article is spot on: the metro is efficient but soulless.
Best decision ever! Took the ‘ferry + walk’ route instead of the metro, and it turned a boring commute into a mini adventure. The ferry across the Huangpu gave me stunning skyline views, and the walk through the old French Concession was gorgeous—shady trees and hidden cafes. Arrived at Tianzifang feeling relaxed and already in vacation mode. Do yourself a favor and skip that underground tube!
Decided to skip the metro and rent a bike per the recommendation. The ride was fun and way less crowded, but finding parking near Tianzifang was a nightmare. Spent 10 minutes circling before locking it to a random pole. Once inside, it was worth it though—the tiny streets and quirky shops make up for the hassle. Just be prepared for the parking struggle.
Tried walking from the Bund like the article suggested instead of taking the metro. Honestly got a bit lost in the side alleys and ended up taking twice as long. The route wasn't as well marked as I hoped, and my feet were killing me. If you're in a hurry, just stick with Line 9. The walk is pretty though, just not for everyone.
This saved our Sunday afternoon! My friend and I took the bus (route 17) from Huaihai Middle Road – the article didn’t mention bus options but it worked perfectly. We sat upstairs in the front and watched the city wake up, then walked the last two blocks through a residential area that smelled like fried dumplings and jasmine. Tianzifang was packed as usual, but the approach made it feel like our own little secret. 5/5, would ditch the metro every time.
Honestly not sure why everyone raves about skipping the metro. I followed the walking route suggested in the article, but the map on my phone kept glitching and I ended up going in circles for 40 minutes. By the time I got to Tianzifang I was already tired and annoyed. Maybe it works if you know the area or have a local guide, but for a first‑time visitor it was more frustrating than helpful. The alley itself was nice, but the approach? Not worth it.
We tried the “skip the metro” advice and took a Didi instead. Honestly, it was faster than the subway (no transfers!), and the driver dropped us off right at the narrow alley entrance. The ride cost around 25 RMB from People’s Square and we got to see some interesting old buildings along the way. My only complaint – the driver’s air conditioning was broken, so it got a bit stuffy. Still, way more comfortable than the metro crowd. Solid 4 stars.
Best decision we made was renting a bike from the hotel instead of taking Line 9. The ride through the tree-lined streets was so peaceful, and we passed by a little fruit market where I grabbed the freshest mango I’ve had in Shanghai. The only downside was that the bike return spot near Tianzifang was a bit hard to find, but once we locked up, we were right at the entrance. Definitely do this if you want a scenic, sweat-free start to your visit.
Absolutely loved this tip! Skipping the metro and walking through the French Concession to get to Tianzifang was a game changer. I followed the route along Taikang Road and ended up discovering tiny alley cafes and a hidden vintage shop I never would have found underground. The whole walk took about 20 minutes from Xintiandi and felt like a mini exploration. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to actually feel the neighborhood vibe instead of being packed in a train car.
Honestly, I was a bit let down. The article makes 'Skip the Metro' sound like a genius hack, but the walking route was confusing and ended up taking longer than just hopping on Line 9. I got lost in the side alleys and wasted 20 minutes. Maybe it works if you know the area, but for a first-timer, the metro is just simpler. Tianzifang itself was fine—nothing special, really crowded. Not my favorite experience.
The advice to skip the metro and walk is solid—definitely more scenic. However, with two kids in tow (ages 6 and 9), the walk was a bit longer than I expected, and they got tired before we even reached the main area. Still, once we got there, the kids loved all the quirky shops and the crepe stall. I'd recommend it for adults or older teens, just bring a stroller if you have little ones.
I'm a big fan of skipping predictable tourist routes, and this guide delivered. Walked from the French Concession area exactly as described—zero metro hassle, and I stumbled upon a tiny coffee shop hidden inside a courtyard that I'd never have found otherwise. Tianzifang itself was packed but charming. Five stars for the strategy alone.
As a photographer, I loved this approach. The metro is boring and crowded, but the route suggested here took me through some gorgeous old residential streets. I got some incredible shots of laundry hanging, old uncles playing chess, and then the sudden chaos of Tianzifang. The article saved me from a cramped train ride and gave me a much better story to tell.
This article was spot on! I followed the walking route from Xintiandi instead of squeezing into the metro, and it turned into one of my favorite parts of the day. The lane houses, the smell of street food, and the little boutiques—it felt like stepping into old Shanghai. Absolutely recommend doing it this way if you want to soak in the vibe before you even get there.