Both my husband and I were completely unprepared for the level of prostitution in Shanghai around Peoples Square and Nanjing Road East. We had read about Shanghai, looked on tripadvisor etc. Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw.
My husband was asked for sex constantly and this began as early as 6 p. Frankly and living in a city myself and being aware of what goes on in parts of cities I might have expected this kind of acvtivity from 11 p. The 'approaches' also ranged from lacklustre calling out to direct hassling and being followed to being physically grabbed by a pimp. The physical nature of some of the approaches was threatening and disturbing.
My husband is only 28 and we have travelled a lot but we have never encountered this before unless we 1 knew we were entering a red light district e. Amsterdam or 2 wandered around central areas late at night - after midnight e. New York. We have never expereinced being physically grabbed before either. We appreciate that Peoples Square and environs are central and there are malls, transport hubs, restaurants etc.
We moved on to a hotel in the French Concession and my husband was not hassled for sex again and we had a far more pleasant time. Of course, I am sure there is prostitution in the French Concession as well but it was more discrete and less 'in your face'. One guy with his 2 girls in the lift really made me feel ill. This was a 5 star luxury hotel in the centre of town - not some seedy flea pit of motel in the red light district of Amsterdam. Consider other central areas e.
French Concession for a trip with less sex for sale. Le Royal Meridien is a fine hotel. By all means stay there. Just be aware that most people stay near the Bund or Peoples Square to "walk around. Wander during the day to the Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Museum and similar and return to your hotel. You will probably only be approached a couple times by people wanting to speak English maybe innocently and maybe trying to fleece you.
