Tianzifang
"An organic urban renewal project preserving 'Shikumen' stone-gate architecture, creating a claustrophobic, symbiotic ecosystem of commercial art galleries and raw local living."
Pratique
Free
Vibe
Labyrinthine, Artisanal, Claustrophobic
Duration
2-3 hours
Best For
Souvenir hunters
L'Histoire
These alleyways were built to house Chinese refugees fleeing the Taiping Rebellion. Saved from demolition in the 2000s when artists began renting the dilapidated spaces, forcing its preservation.
Secret Local
"Dodge the tourist keychains on the main path and slip down Lane 248. You'll walk beneath dripping laundry hung on bamboo poles and witness unvarnished alleyway life meters from overpriced espresso bars."
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The Bund
外滩
A sweeping mile-long granite promenade lined with 52 immaculately preserved colonial-era buildings operating as the financial command centers of former empires.
Yu Garden
豫园
A masterclass in spatial manipulation: a 5-acre classical Jiangnan-style garden featuring winding pathways, hidden courtyards, towering rockeries, and moon gates.
Shanghai Tower
上海中心大厦
A staggering 632-meter twisting mega-tall skyscraper that stands as the tallest building in China and physically asserts Shanghai's global financial apex.