Shanghai Xintiandi - Represtative of Traditional and Fashionable Shanghai

Located in the center of Shanghai City, Shanghai Xintiandi (新天地) is a fascinating spot which was established in Shanghai in early 21st century to challenge the city’s standard consumer experience, redesigned by great architects from Benjamin T. Wood and Nikken Sekkei international. From the prospects of protecting the historical building and city-developing, the architects decided to retain the most ancient Shikumen (石库门, stone gate) buildings in the north block and inject the south block with fresh vitality. With the prosperous surrounding houses serving as gourmet restaurants, warm book bars, exotic cafes as well as slap-up shopping malls, Shanghai Xintiandi became one of the upscale lifestyle centers in Shanghai. As a result, it features in a combination of tradition and modernity as well as a mixture of east and west.

Also, Shanghai also enjoys historic significance. It is the site of the first congress of the Communist Party of China, now preserved at the Museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. Also nearby are the Shikumen Open House Museum and the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea when Korea was a Japanese colony.

• Popular Shanghai Tours including Xintiandi
✔ 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Half-day Cycling

Walking in the cobbled lanes of Shanghai Xintiandi, you will go back to 50 years ago and meet the ancient but prosperous Shanghai. You can strongly feel the antique flavor from the appearance of the Shikumen. Shikumen is the most featured Shanghai dwellings which mix western culture and the traditional style of Han Nationality. Its name was originated from the unique gate. Despite living in the busy downtown area, the residents wouldn’t be disturbed after they closed this heavy gate. The gate lintels are usually engraved with various exquisite patterns which are the quintessence of Shikumen Buildings. While renovating the Xintiandi Area, the designers retained these excellent Shikumen buildings and rebuilt some to make the whole buildings more harmonious. The primitive brick walls, tiled roofs, the dark-colored gates, and the gate lintel carved with coiled patterns are all telling old stories.

Embracing with Fashionable Shanghai at Present

With a vicissitude of the society, Shanghai Xintiandi keeps its original appearance of yesteryear but enriches its charms with times. If you are seeking the most up-to-date boutiques, or want to taste the daintiest meal, Shanghai Xintiandi is the right place. Passing through the authentic or modeled gate, you come to the most voguish world. The artfully-placed furniture and the meticulously-set lights in the stores always create a western romance. The life in the seemingly old buildings is tailor-made for the people in modern society, includes international art galleries, fashion shops, coffee houses, themed canteens...

Compared to the crowded and narrow Tianzifang, Xintiandi should be more spacious. Restaurants, businesses, entertainment, and cultural shops are arranged in straight pedestrian streets orderly. With the aged green brick walks, old bricks, and doors, you are like getting back in Shanghai in the 1930s. But it is very modern and fashionable to step into the interior of every building. Getting into the small lane with few tourists and take a picture and resting yourself in a stylish cafe might be good choices here. Also, you will see many professional photographers come here to take pictures.

Xintiandi is divided into two parts: Nan Li (South part) and Bei Li (North part). Nan Li is close to Xintiandi Station of Metro Line 10 with modern buildings and Shikumen complex around. There are a number of distinctive shops and restaurants. You can feast yourself with Chinese food Japanese food, Italian Martino pizza, and a great variety of desserts and drinks. Shops of trendsetters, the flagship store of luxury brands, famous food stores, cinemas are gathered there.

The north part, Beili is close to Huaihai Road. At the entrance of Beili square, there is a "spring of happiness", on which there is a three bronze statue of "Fu, Lu and Shou" meaning, blessing, power, and longevity. You can take photos here. There are many old houses in Shikumen and combined with modern architecture, decoration, and equipment. It has been transformed into malls and restaurants. The international dishes are two popular. In addition to famous Chinese restaurants such as South Beauty and Caidiexuan, there are also many bars in Beili to enrich your nightlife.

Xintiandi Shanghai Restaurants - Eating in the Popular Canteens

For the most tasty and reasonable-priced Shanghai dishes, Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰) is a choice second to no one. With tasty and well-priced food integrated with courteous and efficient service, you won’t be disappointed. Since launching in a tatty lane in Taipei over 40 years, it has developed like wildfire and dozens of branches took places in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and America. The staple snack - Xiao Lung Bao (小笼包, small steamed buns) has been voted as one of the finest snacks in the world many times. It enjoys heavenly pork or shrimp packages with incomparable delicacy and thin but tender skin. When you have a bite of it, a fragrant soup inside at a perfect temperature will pop straight into your mouth. You can also have some dumplings, the shrimp and pork Noodles which are worthy of your trying.

Except for Din Tai Fung, there are also some other canteens loved by some gourmets, like Shanghai Ye Shanghai, Simply Thai, Estado Puro Shanghai, etc.

Other Popular Restaurants: Din Tai Fung (Shanghai New World), The Refinery, ShangHai Ye ShangHai (Xintiandi), Simply Thai - Xin Tian Di, Cobra Lily, Element Fresh (Xintiandi), Estado Puro Shanghai, Sense 8 Cantonese Cuisine, Sproutworks (Xintiandi)

Shanghai Xintiandi has many very tony cafes and wine bars, and you can find whatever you are thirsty for. In Shanghai, the one who asserts to be a beer-lover but knows nothing about Jackie’s Beer Nest (杰克的酒窝) will be sneered at. This small bar predominated with charming oak is an Eden of beer-lovers. From the Chinese ale to Master Gao’s brewery, there are more than 100 kinds of beers from 17 countries on the wine list. The beer brewed by Jackie himself is well-welcomed by the customers. In the bar, you can suck the fragrance of malts and exchange your travel experience and opinions with surrounding friends. To pursue more surprise, turn to The Beer Shelf, Dean’s Bottle Shop, Drunk Uncle...

Other Popular bars: Rye & Co (Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Northern European), The Odd Couple (Restaurant, Bar, Italian, Fusion, Chinese), Highline (Restaurant, American), Cobra Lily (Restaurant, Bar, Italian, Fusion, Chinese), El Luchador (Restaurant, Mexican), Xixi Bistro (Restaurant, Bar, Italian, Fusion, Chinese), The Bunker (Restaurant, Bar, Italian, Fusion, Chinese)

Walking Leisurely in the Park

Fuxing Park close to Xintiandi is Shanghai’s only French-style park with wide tree-lined walkways and amazing flower beds, showcasing the unique commercial and cultural landscapes of Shanghai together. Since the wall seemingly fences the noise from the city, the park offers a contrast with the hustle and bustle of this metropolis. In the north and central part, there are colorful flowerbeds, pleasant fountains, and a wide road. In the southwest part are bestrewed with rockeries, lotus pond, streams, and grasslands. These natural landscapes and facilities make the park become a wonderful playground for both adults and kids. Thanks to its delicately-manicured space, Fuxing Park is also home to regular dancers, kite flyers, and children. Taking a leisure walk, you can get a relaxed feeling while watching the beautiful flowers and happy kids.

Purchasing in the Luxuriously Decorated Shopping Malls

With big name-brands branches and small characteristics shops sprouting up, undoubtedly Xintiandi is a paradise for well-heeled shoppers. Shopping in Shanghai is a very delightful experience and you are privileged with a wide range of shopping choices.

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Shanghai Xintiandi is located in the prosperous downtown area of Shanghai, with many attractions nearby to explore.

• 1.5km away from Shanghai Museum, 8 minutes’ drive
• 1.8km away from Tianzifang, 7 minutes’ drive
• 2.5km away from the Bund, 11 minutes’ drive
• 5km away from Jade Buddha Temple, 15 minutes’ drive

By Metro: Shanghai Xintiandi has its own namesake metro station with metro Line 10 running through. It is also available to transfer to most of the other metro lines.

By Public Bus: There are 5 bus stops within 500 meters and it’s convenient to take one bus from different directions to each of them. Within several minutes’ walk, you can get to Shanghai Xintiandi.

Travel with China Discovery

If you want to get rid of the hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining, and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Shanghai Xintiandi with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Best known as an international popular tourist destination, Shanghai perfectly preserves mixed culture of the western and eastern. The duration and theme of your Shanghai tour can be flexibly arranged based on your time and interests. Usually, tourists spend 2 days on sightseeing the most famous landmarks, including the Bund, Yu Garden, skyscrapers like Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Wukang Road, Shanghai Museum, etc. With one extra day, you can enjoy family fun in Disneyland Park or visit Zhujiajiao Water Town in the suburb. Don't miss the Shanghai Maglev Train, wonderful nightlife and Shanghai Cuisine.

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Convenient transportation makes it quite efficient and popular to make day trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and longer vacation in Huangshan Mountain, Nanjing, Mount Jiuhua and other places in surrounding areas. So you can visit West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture in Hangzhou, marvel at tasteful classical gardens and witness Chinese silk productive process. Splendid rocky mountains with exotic pine trees are highlights in Huangshan Mountain.

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Travel Shanghai with Beijing, Xian & More China Destinations

Beijing Xian Shanghai are golden triangle cities often visited together for a week holiday. You can use 3 days to visit the Great Wall and major iconic spots like Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and leave 2 days for fulfilling your Terracotta Warriors tour in Xian. With more time, you can extend the trip from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road, Tibet and more phenomenal destinations to enrich your China discovery. (more top China tours from Shanghai >>)

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