Central Shanghai is easily accessible by foot. The former French Concession districts of Xuhui and Luwan are particularly good places for walking, with restaurants, shops and housing all situated close to one another. Pavements are generally well maintained and many now have raised lanes for the blind. Dangers occur when cyclists and scooters use the pavements in an attempt to avoid traffic jams, a practice the police are trying to stop. Most major roads have pedestrian overpasses and/or underpasses and minor roads have plenty of pedestrian crossings. If these are without traffic lights then do not expect drivers to stop for you. Be very careful when crossing and make sure to look both ways several times. This advice is also applicable when crossing on a green man at a traffic light because cars often disregard traffic lights when turning, and Chinese drivers never give way to those on foot.

In a bid to try to make crossings safer, many traffic light intersections now have marshals, who viciously blow their whistles at anyone attempting to jaywalk (and occasionally issue fines). Sadly, however, their presence seems to have little effect on drivers.­­­­