Living in Gubei & Hongqiao Shanghai: Expat Rental Guide 2026
Gubei and Hongqiao are among Shanghai’s longest-established expat residential areas, particularly for families and long-term international residents.
Located in Changning District, the area offers larger apartments, international schools, restaurants, supermarkets and easy access to Hongqiao transportation links.
To explore Shanghai’s top 5 neighborhoods for expats, click here.
Gubei, Shanghai
1. Popular Areas
Gubei New Area is the most established international residential pocket.
Hongqiao Road and the surrounding streets provide a mix of apartments, compounds and family housing, while areas farther west transition toward larger homes and international-school communities.
A cafe in Hongqiao, Shanghai
2. Amenities & Lifestyle
Gubei and Hongqiao are particularly convenient for everyday life.
Residents have access to international supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, clinics, gyms, parks and family services.
The area has longstanding Japanese, Korean and other international communities and tends to feel more residential than Jing’an or the Former French Concession.
An apartment in Hongqiao, Shanghai
3. Gubei & Hongqiao Rental Prices
Typical 2026 long-term rental ranges are approximately:
1 bedroom: RMB 6,000–12,000/month
2 bedrooms: RMB 10,000–19,000/month
3 bedrooms: RMB 15,000–28,000+ per month
Current listings show everything from compact 1-bedroom apartments below RMB 10,000 to larger family apartments above RMB 20,000.
An apartment in Gubei, Shanghai
4. Types of Housing
Gubei and Hongqiao have a strong supply of modern compounds, larger family apartments, and some townhouse-style housing.
Compared with central Xuhui or Jing’an, families can often get more usable space for the same budget.
Shanghai Community International School
5. International Schools
School access is one of Gubei & Hongqiao’s strongest advantages.
Shanghai Community International School Hongqiao operates campuses directly in Changning, while YCIS Shanghai also has Puxi campuses in Hongqiao and Gubei.
Need helping finding a rental in Shanghai?
You can reach out to us whenever you’re ready:
We look forward to your business.
