Shanghai’s colonial past is displayed in the distinctive Shikumen architecture of Xintiandi, fusing influences from both East and West.
Xintiandi is an important historical district with a very modern twist. It is an area of particular architectural interest as it contains an impressive collection of Shikumen Houses, a style of housing which is unique to Shanghai. Whilst preserving the distinctive arching stone doorways and external aesthetic of these singular buildings, the insides have been converted into a series of stylish shops, restaurants and cafés.
The entire Xintiandi District is pedestrianized, so you can wander around the narrow streets in relative safety. You couldn’t choose a prettier place to indulge in some serious shopping. As you wander between the chic boutiques, you can’t fail to notice the city’s spectacular architecture, its unique fusion of eastern and western influences creating a series of streets with sloping, angular roofs and elaborately carved lintels.
The five-roomed Shikumen Open House Museum gives a feel of what living in one of these buildings must have been like. It is crammed with authentic tools, furniture and toys from the 1920s, giving you a flavour of everyday life. A miniscule room recreates the living conditions of a Tingzijian writer, letting you step into his shoes for a few moments.
Xintiandi is also home to the historic building where the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held. It is now a museum displaying photos, documents and other fascinating items from the era. The gift shop is a great place to pick up a Communist-themed memento – the perfect reminder of how modern China came into being.
When you start to feel hungry, pull up a chair at one of the many cafés whose tables spill out onto the narrow alleyways and order yourself some delicious dim sum. The dumplings, which are a speciality of the area, are delicious. In the evenings, you will find a number of upmarket bars serving cool beer and cocktails to the thumping beat of live bands and world-renowned DJs.
Xintiandi is a popular area which is easy to reach on the bus or the underground. If you’re in downtown Shanghai, you can get there on foot in around 20 minutes.
