Nestled in the heart of Shanghai City in China is an area named Xin Tian Di, teeming with Shikumen (stone gate) style buildings. The fine blend between 19th century building style and 21st century lifestyle makes Xin Tian Di an upmarket entertainment district drawing tourists from all parts of the world to Shanghai.
Shikumen are townhouses with 2-3 floors enclosed by tall brick walls. It is a hybrid of Western and Chinese architecture styles. These townhouses are built adjacent to one another and are neatly aligned straddling paved alleys called ‘Longtang’. These alleys have sturdy yet graceful stone archways at each entrance, duly giving the name Shikumen – stone gate – to these types of buildings.
Shanghai Xin Tian Di was redesigned by the American architect Benjamin Wood in 1997, converting the area into a sumptuous entertainment, shopping and dining hotspot. This car-free zone is also renowned as the first lifestyle zone in China.
You will discover an interesting array of stylish boutiques, a mall with a cinema complex, an art gallery, cafes and restaurants offering fine dining options in addition to clubs providing a dynamic nightlife everyday.
The external appearance of these buildings has retained the Shikumen essence while their interiors have been converted to give a contemporary classy look and feel. You can also find alfresco food outlets among the cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood.
Xin Tian Di comprises of 2 main blocks called the South Block and the North Block. You can discover the old Shanghai of 1920s in the North Block, which has preserved its historical facade in its pristine condition with luxurious interior decor and amenities, while at the South Block you will find more contemporary styles and few traces of Shikumen.
The South Block is open to the visitors as leisure, entertainment and shopping zone sprawled over 6.2 acres. You will be delighted to find themed restaurants, food courts, ornament shops as well as fitness centers at your disposal.
At the North Block you will come across fine dining outlets offering delicacies from countries such as America, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Japan besides some elegant shops.
What’s more fascinating about Xin Tian Di is that you will have the privilege of meeting and chatting in person with some of the famous idols who have opened their own shops in the area. Not only shopping and dining, you can also enjoy various types of performances at themed restaurants varying from Japanese Rock to South American Folk music.
Whether you are a business or pleasure traveler, Shanghai offers a plethora of choices for fine accommodation. You can find numerous Shanghai hotels strategically positioned in the city, providing convenient links to Shanghai’s many attractions including Xin Tian Di. At a Shanghai luxury hotel such as The Langham Yangtze Boutique Shanghai, you can take pleasure in sumptuous amenities and food while enjoying your holiday in an exclusive cozy abode.
