NANJING Road E. Business District is where Shanghai remembers its heritage.

Amid the bright signs and constant foot traffic, some businesses have stayed strong for over a century. They are known by their signs, names and stories in this ever-changing metropolis.

A sip of aged Shaoxing rice wine may evoke the echoes of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) poets. A crisp butterfly pastry from the Park Hotel may remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen. The herb-scented pharmacy, the old scissor shop and the steam rising from a tray of sticky rice balls serve as reminders of Shanghai’s rich history. These elements represent the city’s heritage, still speaking in flavors, textures and quiet pride.

We pick seven “time-honored shops.”

Park Hotel

Built in 1934, the Park Hotel was once the tallest building in the Far East and continues to serve as an architectural symbol of old Shanghai. Beyond its Art Deco façade, it is famously recognized as the birthplace of Shanghai-style butterfly pastries.

These pastries, introduced by European chefs and refined in Shanghai, evolved from their French and German origins into a uniquely local creation that is richer in butter, crispier in texture and deeply comforting.

Today, no trip to Shanghai is complete without a box of these golden, flaky treats. Each piece is handmade with 256 layers, baked to shatteringly crisp perfection and sweetened just enough to evoke nostalgia. Visitors and locals alike line up every morning at the hotel’s bakery for this iconic snack, a small pastry that has become a delicious symbol of the city’s cosmopolitan charm.

Shen Da Cheng

Founded in 1875, Shen Da Cheng began as a humble porridge shop. By 1897, founder Shen Ajin pivoted to focus on Suzhou-style pastries, establishing what would become one of the most beloved dessert brands in Shanghai. Its name, Da Cheng, implies “greatness in snack-making,” and that legacy continues.

The shop specializes in taro cakes, sticky rice balls, red bean cakes, green rice dumplings and Double Ninth Festival cakes.

After surviving wars and urban renovations, the shop expanded into a two-story space offering quick snacks, full meals and elegant dining to meet diverse customer needs.

It has launched frozen food lines, built a large Songjiang production base, and promoted e-commerce and cross-brand collaboration. Creative products like cheese-flavored mooncakes and matcha milk rice balls have attracted young customers. Shen Da Cheng remains a harmonious blend of old flavors and modern flair.

Wang Bao He

Wang Bao He, the “ancestor of crab banquets,” is known for its Shaoxing yellow wine and expertly prepared crab dishes. Starting as a small wine inn in 1744, the establishment has become a cultural institution and beloved of the literati and aristocrats for its high-quality wine and seasonal crab feasts.

By the 20th century, Wang Bao He had become a full-fledged restaurant. Today, its signature Golden Autumn Crab Banquet, featuring delicacies made from Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, is a much-anticipated culinary event. In recent years, the brand has innovated further with unique creations like crayfish buffets and Shaoxing-flavored dishes, making it a must-visit for gourmets.

Lao Feng Xiang

On Nanjing Road E., Lao Feng Xiang shines with gold, diamonds and a 170-year legacy. This famous jewelry house started as a small shop in Shanghai’s old town in 1848 during the Qing Dynasty. Feng Xiang, which combines the phoenix with good fortune, has long symbolized feminine grace and the desire for happiness through adornment.

Today, Lao Feng Xiang is one of China’s most prestigious jewelry brands, ranked among the “top 100 global jewelry companies” and repeatedly featured in Fortune’s China 500 list.

The flagship store on Nanjing Road E. has three floors: The first two display gold, silver, platinum and diamond jewelry, while the third offers gem testing. It’s more than a shop — it sparkles with the city’s love of beauty, tradition and craftsmanship.

Cai Tong De Tang Traditional Pharmacy

Cai Tong De Tang was founded in 1882. It is one of China’s earliest Chinese medicine shops — its signature plaque symbolizing health and trust for generations.

Founder Cai Hongyi moved the store from Hankou in Hubei Province to Shanghai, combining storefront sales with a production facility. The pharmacy was known for high-quality herbs, handmade pills, tinctures and ointments. It even had a factory making medicinal wine and pastes from donkey-hide gelatin and tiger bones.

Today, Cai Tong De Tang is known for its legacy and its human approach to health care, offering free consultations, mail orders, personalized prescriptions and quality authentication. China’s GSP and GMP certifications make it a trusted name in Chinese medicine that combines tradition and technology.

Duo Yun Xuan

Founded in 1900, Duo Yun Xuan started as a shop selling fine paper and fans. What truly elevated it was its mastery of woodblock watermark printing, a rare and intricate traditional Chinese craft. Soon, it became a hub for literati and painters, earning the nickname “home of Chinese painting and calligraphy.”

Duo Yun Xuan not only sold materials but also helped launch the careers of numerous artists, offering a platform and market for their work. Its support of traditional arts has made it an institution in the cultural landscape of Shanghai.

Duo Yun Xuan continues to promote traditional Chinese aesthetics through exhibitions, workshops and cultural collaborations, while staying grounded in its artistic roots.

Wangkai Photo Studio

Wangkai Photo Studio, established in 1923, holds a distinctive place in Shanghai’s cultural history. During its peak period in the 1930s and 1940s, it was the premier destination for celebrities, elites and couples seeking portrait photography. The studio even had the exclusive right to photograph significant events, including the Far East Games.

What set Wangkai apart was its technical finesse, using a proprietary four-stage water washing technique to ensure lasting quality. Its archives include images of iconic stars from Shanghai’s golden age of cinema, making the studio not just a business but a historical vault.

Today, it continues to serve visitors seeking classic-style portraits and a brush with Shanghai’s glamorous past.