Shanghai Attractions: Famous Streets & Buildings
Shanghai is a place of fantasy. Hanging around the city, you will find that the streets and buildings here absorb different flavours from east and west, classical and modern, tradition and novelty. And all of these elements result in the unique combination of styles which defines Shanghai.
Following our previous article on Sightseeing in Shanghai, today we visit the Famous Streets and Buildings in Shanghai.
XinTianDi 新天地
XinTianDi literally means ‘New Heaven and Earth‘. In Chinese language, this ‘Heaven and Earth’ is usually referred to as a realm or world. Hence XinTianDi is a ‘new world’. This statement is both right and wrong, because while basking in its unique atmosphere and architecture does make one feel like you are in a different world, the elements of XinTianDi is not exactly foreign within the city of Shanghai. Conversely, XinTianDi represents the very blend of western and eastern influence existing in Shanghai.
XinTianDi is considered one of the first lifestyle centres in China and currently still an active and popular spot for both tourists and locals alike. Here, you can find retail, entertainment, cultural, recreational, commercial and residential facilities in restored Shikumen houses (an architectural style distinctive of Shanghai which combines western and eastern elements).
Artistically ancient architecture coupled with modern and trendy interior is what makes XinTianDi special. Fashionable boutiques, designer shops, restaurants and cafes can be found at every corner. The open-air bars are especially popular; sipping your drinks whilst basking in the atmosphere is a relaxing and culturally enriching experience.
Get enthralled by the nightlife at XinTianDi, which is when the place really becomes alive.
There are a number of outstanding stores in XinTianDi, click here and get more information about them.
TianZiFang 田子坊
TianZiFang is a residential area near downtown Shanghai. It is transformed and furnished by old houses of the Shikumen architecture style.
TianZiFang is similar to XinTianDi but also special in its own ways. It has become a place which is embraced by the artistic community in Shanghai. You can find many contemporary Art galleries, studios and craft shops. There are also bars and fashion boutiques here. Walking down the narrow lane of TianZiFang, you will be forgiven for wondering if you were really in Cosmopolitan Shanghai.
TianZiFang is not just about the mix of old and refurbished brick houses. Strolling along the alleys, you will find the atmosphere inspiring and refreshing.
With many artists and local designers setting up boutiques and laid-back cafes, TianZiFang draws crowds of yuppies, fashionistas, designers, expatriates as well as visitors with its alluring charms.
At night, TianZiFang lights up with a different charm.
Info
TianZiFang Address: Lane 210 Taikang Road
Hengshan Road 衡山路
About 2.3 kilometres long, Hengshan Road was first constructed in 1922 by Police Consulaire Francaise. Its old name was Beidang Road, and was renamed “Hengshan Road” in Oct. 1943. Its over 80-year history has left many outstanding historical architectures and human landscapes for Hengshan Road now.
One end of the Hengshan Road connects to the bustling Xujiahui District, where many young white collars work in foreign-founded enterprises. The other end adjoins to the areas of embassies and high-class residences, inhabited mostly by expatiates and the more well-to-do locals.
Recently, along with the increasing prosperity of Xujiahui business circle, Hengshan Road ceaselessly rediscovers its cultural and historical extract details, combining the business and tourism, and putting priority on the development of businesses such as the catering industry of different countries’ tastes and customs, leisure bars, entertainment and bodybuilding.
Hengshan Road has now built an atmosphere of unique individuality, enterprise culture and management characteristics. It is a leisure and characteristic street of New Shanghai with an European taste.
Duolun Road 多伦路
Located in Hongkou District, Duolun Road is a peaceful taste of the past behind busy Sichuan Road. The villas, which line this pedestrianized road, are attractive examples of the Chinese and International architecture styles of this former American concession area.
Today the road is home to a fascinating selection of art and antique shops as well as the more usual souvenirs stalls selling Chinese curios and collectibles.
Duolun Road was once a popular haunt of many eminent figures from Shanghai’s past. Life size bronze figures of some of the road’s former patrons are poised at intervals around the beautifully paved road and add some extra historical perspective.
Shanghai Museums and Theatres
Shanghai Museum 上海博物馆
As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world.
History of Shanghai Museum
Founded and first open to the public in the building previously of the horseracing club at no.325 W. Nanjing Road in 1952 and then moved into the former Zhonghui Building at no.16 S. Henan Road in 1959, the museum developed very quickly in aspects of acquisition, conservation, research, exhibition, education and cultural exchanges with other institutes.
In 1992, the Shanghai municipal government allocated to the Museum a piece of land at the very center of the city, the People’s Square, as its new site. The whole construction took three years, from August 1993 to its inauguration on October 12th, 1996.
The 29.5 meters high building has a construction space of 39,200 square meters. Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls.
Info
Shanghai Museum Address: No.188 Wusheng Road, People’s Square
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (9:00am – 8:00pm)
Entrance Fee: Free
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum 上海科技馆
As the primary site for the APEC meeting in 2001, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a rising helicoids structure that resembles the advancement of science and technology. Located in Shanghai City, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum has a spacious construction area of 68,000 square meters and a total floor area of 98,000 square meters.
The museum’s themes, “Nature, Human, Science and Technology“, are well integrated into all aspects of its features. The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum features exhibitions, science and technology education, scientific studies and exchange, collections and productions, and tourism in Shanghai. With 12 various exhibition halls, four scientific theatres and many interactive stations, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum offers all kinds of entertainments and information about science and technology. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum contains a large 3-D screen cinema and a 4-D screen cinema that provides spectacular experiences for its visitors.
Info
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Address: No.2000 Pudong Century Avenue
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm (closed on Monday)
Entrance Fee: 60RMB
Shanghai Grand Theater 上海大剧院
Shanghai Grand Theater is located to the north of People’s Square in the heart of the city. Since its opening on August 27, 1998, the Shanghai Grand Theater has staged operas, musicals, ballets, symphonies, chamber music concerts, spoken dramas and various Chinese operas.
The construction of the Grand Theater lasted four years from 1994 to 1998. The theater covers an area of 11,528 square meters, with 10 stories, two underground, six making up the theatre and two above. The Grand Theater houses three stages: a 1,800-seat main stage for ballets, operas and symphonies, a 600-seat medium theater for chamber orchestras and a small 200-seat auditorium for dramas and fashion shows.
The elegantly decorated lobby covers approximately 2000 square meters. A large chandelier, shaped like six pan-pipes, is suspended in the lobby. The floor is made of a rare marble called “Greece Crystal White”. The floor has piano keyboard patterns, together with the pillars and the stairs, making the lobby seem full of rhythms.
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall 上海城市规划展示馆
The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall is a six-story building, with two basement levels, which displays Shanghai’s urban planning and development. Exhibitions include models of planned and recent developments, as well as Shanghai’s history. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a huge scale model of the city of Shanghai, showing all existing and approved buildings. Visitors can view the model at “ground level”, or ascend a gallery running around it for views from above.
The model is intended to represent the entire city, including all planned developments. However, a few stout pillars, necessitated by the building design, penetrate the scale model. This means certain areas are missing from the model, and views of the model are sometimes obscured by the columns.
Info
Address: No.100 Renmin Avenue
Opening hours:
9:00am – 5:00pm (Monday — Thursday)
9:00am – 6:00pm (Friday – Sunday)
Entrance Fee: 30RMB
Shanghai Art Museum 上海美术馆
The Shanghai Art Museum (上海美术馆) is an art gallery in the city of Shanghai. It is located in the former clubhouse building of the Shanghai Racing Club. Today, it is the home of the Shanghai biennial and stands adjacent to People’s Square. It sits on the edge of People’s Square, and was once the Shanghai Horse Racing course.
The Shanghai Art Museum features 12 exhibition halls, located on five floors and exhibiting a mixture of modern and traditional fine art. Various temporary art shows are also organised regularly and often support local artists. Visitors can take sketching and painting lessons for a small fee, and popular art lectures are held regularly at the gallery.
Info
Address: No.325 Nanjing West Road
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: 20RMB
More of Shanghai
Next we will bring you to some popular shopping spots in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai in our next article!
Learn Some Mandarin
| 众多 | zhòng duō | Multitude | n. |
| 大都会 | dà dū huì | Cosmopolitan | n./ adj. |
| 雅皮士 | yǎ pí shì | Yuppy | n. |
| 时尚达人 | shí shàng dá rén | Fashionista | n. |
