What Is Xintiandi?
Xintiandi ("New Heaven and Earth") is a stylish pedestrian district in central Shanghai built around traditional shikumen houses — the stone-gate courtyard homes that once housed most of the city's middle class. Restored rather than rebuilt, the lanes now mix century-old architecture with cafés, restaurants, boutiques and galleries.
What Are Shikumen Houses?
Shikumen ("stone-gate") homes are a distinctly Shanghai invention from the late 19th century — a hybrid of Western terraced housing and traditional Chinese courtyard design, framed by a grand stone gate at the entrance. For much of the 20th century they were the city's most common dwelling. Walking them now gives a real sense of old Shanghai's street life.
What to See & Do
- Stroll the north & south blocks — one more upscale, one more boutique, both photogenic.
- Admire the shikumen architecture — stone gates, brickwork and courtyard layouts.
- People-watch at open-air cafés and dine at restaurants tucked into the lanes.
- Shop for crafts and souvenirs among the boutiques.
- Visit the former site of the First National Congress of the CCP nearby for a dose of history.
Practical Information
- Getting there: metro Line 1 or Line 10 to South Huangpi Road (Xintiandi) station.
- Pace: 1-2 hours of relaxed wandering covers it.
- Best time: late afternoon into evening, when the lanes and cafés light up.
See It With a Guide
Xintiandi pairs well with the nearby French Concession. Include it on our Offbeat Charms & Qibao tour or a customClassic Full-Day Tour, and a local guide will bring the shikumen's stories to life.