Korean influencer fascinated by Jing'an's trendy PAC mall

Son Hana, a Korean entrepreneur who has lived in Shanghai for nearly 20 years, recently introduced her sister to one of her favorite hidden gems: the PAC shopping center on Changde Road in Jing'an district.

The sisters spent four hours enjoying indoor golf and dining at a Middle Eastern restaurant. "More than 90 percent of Korean tourists still don't know about this place," Son said.

Son Hana enjoys a beer at the PAC lifestyle festival, where outdoor seating and pet-friendly spaces create a relaxed spring atmosphere. [Photo/Shanghai Jing'an Media Center]

Son, who founded the Korean restaurant chain Eat with me near Jing'an Temple, praised the district's vibrant business environment. "If you can't succeed in Jing'an, it's hard to succeed anywhere else," she said.

Son tries a lemon pepper gelato at the PAC Bazaar. [Photo/Shanghai Jing'an Media Center]

The second PAC Lifestyle Festival, part of the 2026 Jing'an's Global Taste in Shanghai, features outdoor stalls, international cuisine and a pet-friendly atmosphere. Son sampled Turkish-style kebabs, Italian dishes at Pomodoro's first location in China, and even a lemon pepper gelato — a flavor she called "unimaginable but delicious."

Son enjoys dining at the PAC Bazaar. [Photo/Shanghai Jing'an Media Center]

Unlike conventional malls, the PAC features an open block layout. Its specialty stores focus on sports goods, including golf, skiing and cycling, rather than luxury brands.

"You can feel like you're in 2026 or even the future in Shanghai, just a short train ride away, you're in a place that feels like 1999, or even 100 or 1,000 years ago," Son said. "No other country offers that feeling. Only China."