Holiland Shanghai Tianzifang Review 2026: Towel Cakes & More

Ever heard of Holiland's legendary 'towel cake'? This unique dessert took social media by storm a while back, even sparking copycat versions in various countries. But trust me, nothing beats trying the original right here in Shanghai!

If you're planning a trip to this vibrant city and haven't experienced it yet, make a beeline for Holiland.

I visited their Tianzifang branch, and I'm excited to share all the details: Holiland's exact locations, how to find them on your map app, towel cake prices, and my honest review!

1. Holiland Shanghai Locations

Finding a Holiland bakery in Shanghai is pretty straightforward, with several popular branches across the city. Here are the two main ones you might want to check out, especially if you're exploring tourist hotspots:

📌 Zhengda Plaza (Super Brand Mall) Branch (Near Oriental Pearl TV Tower)

For easy navigation, search for this on your preferred map app (like Amap or Google Maps):

· English: Holliland (Uper Brand Mall)

· Chinese Characters: 好利来(正大广场店)

📌 Riyueguang Center Branch (By Tianzifang)

This is the branch I visited, perfectly situated if you're exploring the charming alleys of Tianzifang. You can find it on your map app as:

· English: Holliland (Dapuqiao Riyueguang Branch)

· Chinese Characters: 好利来(打浦桥日月光店)

Good to know: you can also get delivery via local apps like Meituan, but nothing beats the in-store experience! I personally opted for the Riyueguang Center location since it was a convenient stop on my way to Tianzifang.

2. Exploring Holiland Shanghai

Stepping into a Holiland bakery is a treat for the eyes! While they're famous for their chilled desserts, especially the towel cakes, you'll discover a wide array of other delectable baked goods.

Beyond the pastries and croissants you see, they offer an impressive selection of cakes, cookies, and more.

Oreo Towel Cake: ~$5

Basque Cheesecake: ~$4

On my very first trip to Shanghai a few years ago, I made the mistake of visiting Holiland in the evening and the towel cakes were completely sold out! But I'm happy to report that these days (as of 2026), even later in the day, they seem to have plenty in stock. So, you should have no trouble getting your hands on one.

Thankfully, there was ample stock, so I was able to purchase my picks.

Besides the towel cakes, I spotted other tempting treats like their 'brick cake' (another Oreo-themed delight), various roll cakes, and a fantastic selection of cheesecakes.

If you're looking for souvenirs, they also have shelf-stable gift options in adorable tin cases.

I saw designs featuring popular characters like Super Mario, Zootopia, and Minions – quite a fun variety!

I ended up buying a pudding sandwich and, of course, a towel cake!

They thoughtfully package your purchases in an insulated shopping bag with an ice pack, which is perfect for keeping your goodies cool for a short journey back to your hotel.

It won't last for hours, but it's definitely enough to get your delicious treats safely to your accommodation!👍🏻

3. My Shanghai Towel Cake Review

Since I was also visiting Xian Jiu Yi Qian at Riyueguang Center, and the wait can be a bit long, I decided to pull out my Holiland towel cake to curb my hunger.

It's not a huge dessert, so it's the perfect size for a single serving.

If you're not usually a fan of rich, creamy desserts, you might find it a little indulgent, but the chocolate flavor is definitely high-quality, not that cheap, artificial taste. It was absolutely delicious!

The next day, I tried the pudding cheesecake back at my hotel, but it was just okay for me.

Honestly, for my money, the famous towel cake is still the undisputed champion at Holiland Shanghai!

Beyond Holiland, the Riyueguang Center near Tianzifang is a treasure trove of other fantastic spots.

You'll find popular places like Lucy Ho Butter Tteok, Lillian Bakery, Xian Jiu Yi Qian, Heytea, and even a Hema Market.

My tip for maximizing your time? Get your name down for the (often lengthy) waitlist at Xian Jiu Yi Qian first, then spend your waiting time exploring Holiland, Lucy Ho, Lillian Bakery, and Hema Market!

Plus, just outside Riyueguang Center, you can discover unique shops offering things like Qingzhi hand cream and Blanbunny Tea.

I found the Xian Jiu Yi Qian branch here much less crowded than the one on Nanjing East Road, which was a huge plus!👍🏻

For more Shanghai travel tips, including Tianzifang shopping lists and dining recommendations for Nanjing East Road, feel free to explore my other Shanghai guides!