Xintiandi Guide

Xintiandi, whose name means new heaven and earth, is the polished sibling of Tianzifang. Instead of a messy maze of artists and residents, it is a carefully planned district of restored lane houses, now turned into restaurants, bars, shops and offices. It opened in the early 2000s as one of the first projects to show that old Shanghai could be preserved and made profitable, and it has been copied around the country ever since.

How it works

The district is built around two blocks of old houses in the style described in our shikumen guide, with grey brick walls, stone door frames and black doors. Inside, the interiors have been modernised, with glass roofs and open dining rooms. The mixture of old facades and new interiors can feel theatrical, but it also shows the details of the original architecture more clearly than a ruin would.

The shikumen museum

A small museum in one of the houses recreates a family home of the 1920s, with furniture, kitchen items and rooms arranged as they would have been. It is a quick and useful visit if you want to understand how people lived in these lanes. Verify opening times and tickets, which can change, and treat it as a short stop of about thirty minutes.

A site of modern history

Close to Xintiandi, in a lane house in the former French Concession, is the site of the first national congress of the Chinese Communist Party, held in 1921. A memorial museum stands there today. It is free but may need a reservation, so check the official booking details. Whether or not you share its politics, it is a key place in the story of modern China and it sits close to the shopping streets.

Eating and drinking

Xintiandi is upmarket, with international restaurants, wine bars, cocktail spots and several well-known dumpling and Shanghainese places. Prices are higher than in a neighbourhood lane, but the settings are lovely and the food is reliable. Our soup dumpling guide includes advice on finding excellent dumplings nearby. For a quieter meal, walk a few blocks away from the main lanes.

The lake and the park

A small lake and park sit just beside the district and make a calm break from the shops. Locals walk, exercise and sit here, and it is a fine spot to rest between visits. In the evening, the water reflects the towers and the lit windows.

Xintiandi or Tianzifang?

If you only pick one, ask what you want. Xintiandi is clean, planned and comfortable, with upscale dining and a smooth surface that suits an evening out. Tianzifang is messier, cheaper and more local, with real residents, more crafts and a livelier feel. The two are close, and walking from one to the other shows the contrast neatly.

Shopping

The shops are mostly fashion, design and gift stores, with a large mall beside the lanes. Prices are fixed and generally high, and bargaining is not expected. It is a convenient place to buy tidy gifts, but it is not where you will find bargains or true local crafts.

When to go

The district is at its best in the evening, when the lamps come on and the terraces fill. Weekday lunch is calm, and weekend afternoons are busy. If you want to see the architecture without the crowds, go in the morning before the restaurants open.

Getting there

Xintiandi station is on line 10, and South Huangpi Road station on line 1 is a few minutes away. Both put you close to the lanes, and it is an easy walk to Tianzifang and the French Concession.

What to skip

You do not need to spend a lot here, and you can skip the priciest bars if you are on a budget. Walk the lanes, see the museum and the party site and then move on to a cheaper neighbourhood for dinner. If you prefer a more lived-in feel, Tianzifang is the better choice.