Our first stop today was Tianzifang (田子坊), which is a vibrant neighborhood in Shanghai that has transformed itself from a legacy residential and factory area into a thriving arts and culture hub.
Tianzifang's former life is evident in its architectural style. The neighborhood is characterized by Shikumen houses, traditional lanehouses with distinctive stone-framed doorways. These houses, built in the 1920s and 30s during the French Concession era, reflect a confluence of architectural influences. The area was once home to white-collar workers, artists, and other well-to-do residents.
In the late 1990s, Tianzifang began its artistic transformation. Renowned artist Chen Yifei took over abandoned factory buildings and converted them into his studios. This move paved the way for other artists to set up shop in the area, attracting a creative community and breathing new life into the neighborhood.
Tianzifang is a maze of narrow lanes, each one a treasure trove of shops, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.
The beauty of Tianzifang is in exploring its hidden corners, so it's ok if you get lost.
We bought some souvenirs from the several interesting shops before leaving Tianzifang.
We had noodles for lunch at a nearby local restaurant (below). Soon after we entered the store, the crowd started to come in as it's approaching lunch time.
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