In the French Concession in the heart of Shanghai, Xintiandi is a trendy shopping, dining, lifestyle, and entertainment district popular with tourists and locals. A mix of modern and traditional, it’s one of the first developments in China to incorporate historical structures—stone gate shikumen courtyard houses were restored and now hold upscale boutiques, galleries, cafés, restaurants, and bars. The area spans just two city blocks, yet there is no shortage of things to do in Xintiandi, including shopping, eating, drinking, and people-watching.
You can visit Xintiandi at any time, though different establishments, including museums, galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars, will have different opening times. Come in the day for a better view of the architecture and to shop. The Shikumen Open House Museum is open fairly late. The area is known for its nightlife, with plenty of late-night options. Weekends and holidays will be the busiest periods in Xintiandi. Visit on weekdays for smaller crowds.
The best way to get around Xintiandi is to walk. The area is pedestrianized and spans two city blocks. To get to Xintiandi, take Metro line 10 or line 13 to Xintiandi Station (Exit 6, Madang Road) and walk north or Metro line 1 to South Huangpi Station (Exit 3) and walk south. You can also take bus 146 or 805 to Madang Road and Xingye Road or City Sightseeing Bus line 1 to Yida Huizhi Xintiandi.
Don’t miss strolling down the small lanes that cut through the north block area of Xintiandi (especially perpendicular to Huangpi Road South). You'll escape the crowds on the main streets and get a better sense of the traditional shikumen structures of the area. To better understand what life was like in the shikumen, don’t miss a visit to the Shikumen Open House Museum (Wulixiang Shikumen Bowuguan).