Xintiandi, which has been the talk of the town for quite some time. In the 19th century, Xintiandi was a residence area for people of status, and it had a scale and a reputation that unmatched in Shanghai. Afterwards, a large influx of lower middle class outside moved into the Shikumen buildings, and dramatically changed the social structure of the area. Originally created as a “one family per house” structure for people of wealth and influence, Shikumen became s place where ten families would squeeze into one residence. These buildings eventually became the inspiration for the movie 72 Tenants. Some of the movies’s famous characters and pleces such as Tingzi room, the Ke Tang room, Xiangfang, Tian-jing, the second landlord, and Baixiangren Saosao have all become part of what has evolved into “the old dream of Shikumen”. Although it once represented a time of hard living, today it evokes warm and nostalgic memories in Shanghai’s elderly. The newly refurbished modern day Shikumen at Xintiandi has become an enchanting and lively arena of sights and sounds.
The beautiful Sinan Lu and Rui Jin Lu roads are just a short walk away from Xintiandi. Here you can admire the old houses and residences of famous Shanghai figures are here, as well as the Rui Jin Guest House, and Taiyuan Villa. There old buildings still silently capture the memories of history and the splendor of the past.
1.XinTianDi area
Perhaps the old architecture at Shikumen is too mournful and nostalgic. Maybe the people of Shanghai’s alleyways suddenly developed yearning for some western-style night-life. With a variety of factors coming together at the right time, Xintiandi was born.
The NorthernPlaza: Covering an area of 30 thousand square meters, the northern plaza of today’s Xintiandi is also the location of this area’s earliest alley residences. It seems that in the blink of an eye, Xintiandi’s NorthernPlaza has become one of Shanghai’s most extravagant large-scale enterprises, attracting countless numbers of patrons to this area’s theme restaurants, clothing outlets, painting galleries, cafes, and bars. Even renowned artist, the late Chen Yifei’s studio has opened a store here, Layefe Home, selling magazines, clothing, ceramics, jewelry, and furniture. It has become one of the northern plaza’s most recognizable businesses.
Stars of the Shanghai fashion world have also surged into the area. Each residence is still arranged according to the old alley structure, and its façade is still united in the old Shikumne style, but the interiors are totally different, shaped into diverse collections of bright elegant styles. No one can deny that Xintiandi’s renovation has preserved the old buildings. But, it has also made them profitable and sustainable. It is a reminder of a time decades ago when Xintiandi represented the forefront of the new modern era. Grab dinner while you are here, and then sit for a while in one of the cafes along the plaza, savoring the fusion of the contemporary and the historical. Photographers will not want to miss an opportunity to wander around here. Dusk is the best time to take pictures when the sky is still awash with a subdued blue. The mood at this time is eerie and passionate, and is your best opportunity to line up your camera lens. Probably the only thing at Xintiandi worth complaining about is the numbers of tourists that have skyrocketed over recent years. The crowds have gradually become a permanent part of the scenery, and you have become part of theirs.
There is a ShikumenMuseum on Xingye road near the north entrance to Xintiandi. The museum uses a restored residential building to bring back the authentic look of an early twentieth century Shanghai family dwelling.
The Southern Plaza: It is regrettable that the Southern Plaza did not learn more from the experiences in the north and continue Xintiandi’s heritage preserving development. Here you can find tall buildings, wide movie screens, a huge plaza, and glass structures stretching to the sky. These modern architectural elements seem incompatible with older alley architecture in the north.
The first National Communist Party Congress site with its grey walls sits in its deep silence. In Xintiandi it is common to reflect on history, the fleetingness of fashion and the profoundness of fashion and the profoundness of the ancient, the years of war and years of peace. Exiting from the Southern Plaza entrance will take you by a post office that sells early twentieth century postage items including such things as postmarks. Feel free to grab some of the free pamphlets on the post office counter. Most introduce the various enterprises in Xintiandi.
The Site of the First National Communist Party Congress.
If you do not know much about the history of China’s Communist Party, than stop here for an enlightening taste of modern Chinese history. This is the spot where the Chinese Communist Party was founded, and it is now a patriotic educational site for Shanghai students. Although it looks like nothing more than a common residential building, it has become a daily stop for large numbers of out-of-town Chinese tourists. The Chinese Communist Party’s first ever meeting took place here on July 23, 1921. It was held on the first floor inside an 18 square meter living room. Among those present at the meeting included Mao Zedong, Dong Biwu and 13 other party representatives. The meeting was interrupted when the participants realized that they were being monitored by a French police station. They immediately fled the scene. The meeting was eventually reconvened on a boat off of Jiangxi’s JiaxingnanLake, and the central leadership was elected through the Party was born. The memorial hall has an exhibition room filled with artifacts and mementos of the party’s founding period.
The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Residence
The former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is located on Xiangshan road (originally 29 Moliai road) on the Western side of FuxingPark. This is a quiet and secluded two-storey deep grey European-style garden home. There is a square shaped yard in front surrounded on three sides with holly, magnolia, camphor, and pine. A statue of Sun Yat-sen stands among the pine trees.
History
In 1917, Sun Yat-sen resigned from his presidential duties and organized the government for Army of Law and Protection in Guangzhou. Elected as the army’s commander in chief, he rallied the troops for a Northern Expedition. In only his second year as commander in chief, Sun was forced out of office, and he came to Shanghai with his wife Song Qingling. In Shanghai, Sun was politically helpless and alone, and he found himself facing severe economic problems. This house was given to Sun and SongQingling as a gift by four overseas Chinese who had just returned to Shanghai from Canada. Sun moved here in 1918.
Sun and his wife lived in this house for five years, and the furnishings on display today were arranged according to the recollections of Song Qingling.
Residence of Zhou Enlai
Sinan road is a beautiful road that stands just outside the bustle of Shanghai life. The street has a style all its own, feeling neither monotonous nor lifeless, but its quietness makes it a place for silent introspection. The addresses between 51 and 95 on Sinan road were once called Yipin Cun. It was a gather place of celebrities and famous. 73 Sinan road was once the residence of Communist Party representative, Zhou Enlai. The front of the residence is marked with a placard reading “Zhou Residence” in Chinese and in English.
History
Simple and frugal, the Zhou Enlai residence was built between 1912 and 1936. Coming out the front door takes you right out onto the great Sinan road. The residence has a coarse grey stucco over coating that fills the old strong wall is a tangle of naked vines when the ivy leaves fall in the winter.
Tranquil on its surface, the Zhou Residence once served as Chinese Communist Party’s main base of activity in Shanghai, and was witness to a countless number of historical events. On September 16, 1946, Zhou met with reporters from United States, holding a local and international press conference which was attended by over 70 people. Here he met with US Present special envoy, General Marshal, and on October 17 and 19 of that year he met and exchanged views with Kuomingtang and third party representatives. This is also the place where Zhou Enlai met with American reporter, Anna Louise Strong, as she made her way to Yan’an.
The residence’s front entrance is tall because it sits right over the building’s shallow basement. Pushing open the newly painted red door is like watching the unfolding of an old scroll. While the light is dim, it is easy to see everything arranged in perfect order.
Zhou Enlai’s bedroom is on the first floor in a room east of the living room. It is the most highly furnished room in the house. Zhou did not live in this room for long. Because he frequently received guests, he moved into a safer and more convenient room on the eastern end of the third floor. The rooms on the second floor are spacious and receive very good light. An outdoor staircase installed next to the balcony leads into the garden. With its thicket of flowers and trees, the garden is full of vitality. A large pagoda pine tree stands in the middle of the verdant green yard. It is said that in the summer and fall, Zhou liked to stroll around tree every evening after dinner.
MAP OF XINTIANDI AREA IN SHANGHAI
