Located to the west of cental Shanghai, the Changning District covers 37.19 square kilometers. Also called the Hongqiao district, this is a large area with Hongqiao Road as the main thoroughfare from the airport to downtown. Hongqiao is actually a special economic zone within the Changning District and is best know for it’s airport, the zoo and it’s many expatriate communities.

Hongqiao International Airport for many years was the only airport in the city, but in recent years it has been relegated primarily to domestic flights while the international traffic has been assigned to Pudong International Airport. Hongqiao Economic and Technologic Developing Zone, and the Gubei New Area, which is the biggest high-grade dwelling area for foreigners in Shanghai, are both located in the district.

Changning ( Hongqiao) offers many western style residential compounds, both apartments and villas, with gardens, pools, tennis courts and gyms, and is an excellent choice for families with small children since this is where you will find most of the international schools and kindergartens in Shanghai.

There are plenty of high grade apartment/office complexes and luxurious villa compounds and the shopping and services cater heavily to foreigners. Lots of shopping markets. Western supermarkets and stores with western goods are located here . Recently, however, the opening of the new international airport in Pudong has effectively removed one of the main geographic advantages enjoyed by the district, but it remains a favorite area for foreigners to live in.

The majority of the housing is comprised of garden villas in compounds, of varying sizes and prices. Several compounds now have apartments within them, enabling residents on smaller budgets to enjoy the facilities and amenities of compound living — playgrounds, pools, activities and English-speaking staff. Housing is significantly cheaper than living downtown and, as it is the case with Pudong as well, if your priorities are focused on quiet living, recreational facilities and green surroundings, the Changning District ( Hongqiao) still has a lot to offer. However if you are interested in nightlife and dining downtown is your best bet.

Sights in the area include the Shanghai Zoo, the Xi Jiao Guest House and Sassoon Park Gardens. The Westin Tai Ping Yang and Yangtze River Hotels as well as the Friendship Store and Shanghai Mart are also found in this area.