Xintiandi is located at Lane 181, Taicang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai. As a highly representative urban tourist attraction in Shanghai, it has become one of the city's cultural landmarks with its unique positioning. The core feature of the scenic area lies in the perfect integration of the typical Shikumen lilong buildings of modern Shanghai with modern commercial and leisure formats. It not only preserves the architectural style and historical heritage of old Shanghai but also injects international fashion elements, making it a core area for Chinese and foreign tourists to experience Shanghai's "Haipai Culture". Xintiandi covers a total area of about 30,000 square meters, with its core architectural area composed of two parts: South Block and North Block, including a total of 58 Shikumen-style buildings built in the early 20th century, with a total construction area of about 60,000 square meters. Among them, North Block mainly retains the original appearance of Shikumen buildings, while South Block integrates modern architectural styles, forming a unique visual effect of contrast between the old and the new.
History and Culture
The area where Xintiandi is located was originally the core zone of the former French Concession in Shanghai. Its Shikumen buildings were first constructed in the 1920s, being a typical representative of modern residential architecture in Shanghai. Combining the characteristics of traditional Jiangnan dwellings and Western terrace houses, Shikumen buildings get their name from the architectural feature of stone door frames and black lacquered solid wooden door leaves. They were once the main residential form for the middle and upper classes in Shanghai, witnessing the development of Shanghai from its opening as a treaty port to modernization.
The renovation of Xintiandi started in 1997, led by Hong Kong's Shui On Group. On the basis of preserving the core historical features such as building facades and structural forms, the internal space was renovated in a modern way, which not only avoided the abandonment and demolition of old buildings but also endowed them with new commercial value. This renovation model has become a classic case of the adaptive reuse of historical buildings, and also made Shikumen, a unique architectural and cultural symbol of Shanghai, rejuvenate. In addition, the area is adjacent to the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, where red culture and Haipai culture blend, further enriching the historical and cultural connotation of Xintiandi.
Main Attractions
Xintiandi North Block
As the core area of the entire scenic spot, Xintiandi North Block covers an area of about 12,000 square meters and preserves the most complete architectural style of Shikumen. Most of the buildings are 2 to 3 stories of brick and wood structure, with classic Shikumen elements such as blue and red brick tiles, carved lintels and dormer windows all well preserved. Gathered here are numerous high-end catering establishments, characteristic bars and brand flagship stores. Each building has its unique historical background, and some buildings built in the 1920s have a history of nearly a hundred years to this day. Tourists can both feel the architectural charm of old Shanghai and experience an international leisure atmosphere here.
Xintiandi South Block
Covering an area of about 18,000 square meters, Xintiandi South Block forms a contrast with the retro style of North Block by integrating modern architectural elements such as glass curtain walls and steel structures. Its core building is Xintiandi Style Shopping Mall with a total construction area of about 40,000 square meters, a modern commercial space integrating shopping, catering and entertainment. The design of South Block not only continues the spatial layout logic of Shikumen but also meets the functional needs of modern commerce, making it a model of the integration of old and new architectural styles and a major leisure and consumption area for young tourists.
Tai Ping Qiao Artificial Lake
Located on the south side of Xintiandi, Tai Ping Qiao Artificial Lake is a leisure supporting area of the scenic spot, with a lake surface area of about 10,000 square meters, surrounded by green spaces and landscape footpaths. An open-air stage is set beside the artificial lake, holding various cultural and artistic activities all year round, such as music festivals and light shows. The artificial lake is bright with lights at night, forming a delightful contrast with the surrounding Shikumen buildings, making it an ideal place for tourists to rest and enjoy the night view.
Pacific Xintiandi Observation Deck
As the highest observation spot in the core area of Xintiandi, it stands at a height of 258 meters, with the observation area covering floors 55 to 58, including indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, themed exhibition areas and conference spaces. Floor 55 features the carbon neutrality theme, equipped with environmental protection exhibition installations and a 398-square-meter multi-functional conference hall. Floor 56 has 4 conference rooms with a total area of 240 square meters. Floors 57 to 58 are outdoor viewing platforms designed with an iceberg as the inspiration and integrated with traditional sundial elements. It boasts a 360-degree unobstructed panoramic view, allowing visitors to take in both the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui and the traditional Shikumen style of Xintiandi in the same frame.
Tour Route
The recommended tour route of Xintiandi follows the core thread of "History - Fashion - Leisure": Start from the entrance of Xintiandi North Block (the intersection of Taicang Road and Madang Road), walk along Xingye Road and view the classic Shikumen buildings in North Block one by one to experience the historical style of old Shanghai, with a total distance of about 800 meters and a walking time of about 1 hour; then head south into Xintiandi South Block to visit the modern commercial block and enjoy leisure shopping, with an internal walking route of about 500 meters and a time of about 1 hour; finally go to Tai Ping Qiao Artificial Lake on the south side to appreciate the lake view and rest, with a walking distance of about 300 meters and a time of about 30 minutes. The total walking distance of the whole route is about 1.6 kilometers, taking about 2.5 hours. If including catering and visiting experiences, it is recommended to reserve 4 to 5 hours. In addition, you can make a detour to the adjacent Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (about 200 meters on foot) to enrich the cultural connotation of the tour.
Travel Suggestions
- Best Time to Visit: 14:00 to 18:00 on working days, when there are fewer tourists, convenient for taking photos and sightseeing; the night view of Xintiandi can be enjoyed from 19:00 to 21:00, and the Shikumen buildings under the lights have a more lingering charm.
- Suggested Duration: 2 to 3 hours for simply sightseeing the architectural style; it is recommended to reserve 4 to 6 hours if including catering, shopping and experience activities.
- Seasonal Suggestions: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) with pleasant climate are the best seasons for a visit; Christmas and New Year themed decorations can be experienced in Xintiandi in winter, and open-air cultural activities can be participated in summer.
- Experience Suggestions: Choose a Shikumen-style café or restaurant to take a break and feel the integration of old buildings and modern consumption; pay attention to the official announcements of the scenic spot and participate in special activities such as art exhibitions and markets held irregularly.
Notes
- Most areas in Xintiandi are commercial consumption zones, with catering and drink prices higher than ordinary business districts, so it is recommended to consume rationally according to your own budget.
- Pets are prohibited in the core area (except guide dogs), and random vending and smoking are forbidden (smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas).
- Applying for approval and going through relevant formalities with the scenic spot management in advance is required for shooting commercial advertisements and wedding photos, and occupying public areas for shooting at will is prohibited.
- The number of tourists is large during holidays (such as the Spring Festival and National Day), so it is recommended to travel off-peak to avoid crowds.
- Some buildings in the scenic spot are historical protected buildings, so climbing and carving are forbidden, and public facilities should be cherished.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Shanghai Metro Line 1 to South Huangpi Road Station (Exit 2) and walk about 500 meters to reach; take Shanghai Metro Line 13 to Xintiandi Station (Exit 1) and walk about 300 meters to reach.
- Bus: Take bus routes such as No.17, No.24, No.36, No.42, No.109, No.146, No.780, No.781, No.869, No.932 and No.986 to Madang Road Xingye Road Station or South Huangpi Road Middle Fuxing Road Station, and reach on foot.
- Self-driving: There is a Xintiandi parking lot around the scenic spot at Lane 123, Xingye Road, Huangpu District, with a parking fee of about 20 RMB per hour. Parking spaces are tight during holidays, so it is recommended to take public transportation first.
Opening Hours
Xintiandi is an open block as a whole without a unified closing time. Most merchants in the core commercial areas (North Block and South Block) are open from 10:00 to 22:00, and some bars and catering merchants are open until 02:00 the next day; Tai Ping Qiao Artificial Lake and the surrounding public areas are open 24 hours a day, with night lighting from 18:00 to 23:00. There is no access control in the public areas of the scenic spot, and tourists can pass through all day long. It is recommended to plan the visiting time according to the business hours of the merchants.
Tickets
Open to the public free of charge. The ticket price for Pacific Xintiandi Observation Deck is 85 RMB per person.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.