Xintiandi

Overview

Xintiandi is a masterfully restored shikumen neighborhood that blends 1920s stone-gate lane houses with contemporary dining, shopping, and nightlife. The development pioneered Shanghai's heritage-adaptive-reuse model and remains one of the city's most popular lifestyle destinations.

Highlights

• North Block: Heritage-focused, housing galleries, boutiques, and the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC.
• South Block: Modern dining and entertainment hub with al fresco restaurants and cocktail bars.
• Shikumen Open House Museum: A faithfully restored lane house showing how middle-class Shanghainese lived in the 1920s.

History

Developed by Shui On Group and designed by American architect Benjamin Wood, Xintiandi opened in 2001. It was conceived as a commercial answer to the question of how to modernize without demolishing Shanghai's architectural heritage.

Visitor Tips

• Evening Dining: Reserve ahead for popular restaurants on weekend evenings.
• Cultural Context: Visit the CPC First Congress site for free before exploring.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.