Date Golden Goh and Zhou Dongyu: Explore Shanghai’s 4 Most Romantic Spots

The movie "This Is Not What I Expected," starring Golden Goh and Zhou Dongyu, showcases the most romantic love story through its culinary elements. Many scenes were filmed in Shanghai—from gourmet restaurants and luxury CEO hotels to balcony sunsets and heartfelt confessions at the local market. After the film's release, these locations became hotspots for fans. Follow in the footsteps of Golden Goh and Zhou Dongyu to experience the magical charm of old Shanghai.

In the film, Zhou Dongyu’s workplace and Golden Goh’s hotel are filmed at the iconic British classical building, "The Ruijin InterContinental Hotel." This century-old mansion was once home to famous figures in Shanghai, retaining a strong vintage charm of old Shanghai mansions while blending magnificent Eastern and Western architectural elements. Traditional Chinese motifs can be seen in the window grilles—simple yet elegant. It was also the location where Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling got engaged and lived during their time in Shanghai. Other notable guests have included Britain’s Prince William and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

One of the most surprising filming locations is the apartment balcony where the couple watches the sunset together, located at "Wukang Mansion" in Xuhui District. Originally named "Normandy Apartments," it is Shanghai’s first arcade-style apartment building, constructed in 1924 and designed by László Hudec, who was living in Shanghai at the time. Its early residents were mostly expatriate company executives. Nowadays, it’s a popular spot for newlyweds to take wedding photos. The production team noted that the building’s style is “very New York, yet very Shanghai.” Its seemingly old-fashioned corridors and windows create the “warmest and most romantic” sunset scenes when bathed in the evening light.

Beyond grand architecture, the film also features down-to-earth settings like buses and markets. One such scene shows Golden Goh’s confession at the “Huahuan Zhenbei Farmers Market,” a large market divided into sections for fresh meat, seafood, vegetables, cooked food, and more, along with various daily necessities stalls. Additionally, the “Xinchang Road,” where Zhou Dongyu rides her bike to work—intersecting with Shanhaiguan Road and Beijing West Road—is one of the best areas to experience the everyday vibrancy of Shanghai life, bustling with shops and locals.