Spaces to Know: Explore NYU Shanghai’s New Bund Campus Neighborhood

Picnics in the park, bike rides and walks along the Huangpu River after class, dining in trendy international restaurants or traditional Shanghai eateries, going for a swim, or having coffee and studying in a cozy bookstore–whether you’re new to Shanghai or just NYU Shanghai’s New Bund Campus, there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding neighborhood.

Qiantan, also called the New Bund, is one of Shanghai's newest neighborhoods, and many of its rich recreational, commercial, and educational resources are within walking distance of NYU Shanghai’s new campus.
 

Take the nearest metro stop to explore all of Shanghai

Just a ten-minute walk from the New Bund Campus is the Oriental Sports Center Metro Station–where Lines 6, 8, and 11 can take you just about anywhere in the city from the Pearl Tower to People’s Square to the former French Concession to Shanghai Disneyland. Bus lines 1115 and 1160 also service the area.

Grab a bite to eat, a book to read, or go for a run at Taikoo Li

Just outside of Exit 1 of the Oriental Sports Center metro station is Taikoo Li, one of the largest shopping malls in Qiantan’s International Business District and the first mall in Shanghai with its own 450-meter rooftop running track. Among its 250 retailers are international clothing brands, trendy coffee shops, and a myriad of food options - from local Shanghai cuisine and hot pot to Japanese sushi and Thai noodles to vegetarian restaurants and classic American fare is offered by Shake Shack and Cheesecake Factory. The famous Japanese bookstore Tsutaya Books and a first-run movie theater round out the mall’s offerings.

Across the street from Taikoo Li is Qiantan Crystal Plaza, another shopping center stacked with its own movie theater, a large supermarket offering local and imported goods, and a plethora of other restaurants including local street food-style snacks and bubble tea.

^{Next to Taikoo Li is The Qiantan Center, an office building and paired hotel along the bank of the Huangpu River. Photo by Charles Bingaman ’24}

Try indoor and outdoor sports at the Oriental Sports Center

Next to the Taikoo Li and Crystal Plaza shopping centers and accessible from the Metro’s Exit 5,  the Oriental Sports Center includes an indoor stadium that accommodates basketball, table tennis, and badminton as well as an indoor pool. Outdoor facilities include a swimming pool equipped with diving boards, a soccer field, and outdoor basketball and tennis courts.

Court time can be reserved via the Oriental Sport Center WeChat channel. Usage fees are reasonable: reserving the badminton courts costs RMB 30-60/hour (less than USD10).

Walk a bit further south and you’ll come across Qiantan Sports Park, another venue that has a soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and even indoor golf.

Explore the arts and unwind in nature

Fresh air, a stunning river view, and free entry are just a few perks of having Qiantan Park nearby–only a 7-minute bike ride or 20 minute walk from campus. Stretching across more than 600,000 square meters, it’s the perfect spot for long meditative walks, bike rides, and picnics with friends overlooking a river view across from art centers like TANK Shanghai, the West Bund Art Center, and the Center of Photography.
 

Qiantan’s Bund 31 Performing Arts Center is a venue that will be bringing world-class performances to local audiences and is just a six-minute walk or two-minute bike ride from campus. Discounted group-rate tickets are available to the NYU Shanghai community when purchased at the door.

Flip through NYU Shanghai’s New Bund Campus brochure to learn more.