China Shanghai Tours-See Tianzifang Shanghai

Tian Zi Fang is a warren of alleyways that run off of Taikung in the old French Concession of Shanghai. It is similar China tours to Nanluoguxiang in Beijing in that commerce is used as a basis for architectural preservation. But the vibe is a bit different. The alleyways of Tian Zi Fang are narrower and higher; the surrounding buildings are at least two to three stories high. The construction of a Beijing hutong is generally lower. Tian Zi Fang serves as a sort of creative and bohemian center of Shanghai. In Tian Zi Fang there are artists, especially painters, doing their thing. Thus, it has an element of Beijing's 798 Art District with an active creative-artistic energy, but not nearly as expansive and industrial as that famous Beijing art space. There are many small shops, cafes, and curious stores that hold all sorts of items of interest.

Tianzifang originally served as a residential neighborhood. Thus, besides all the creative stores, galleries and photographic exhibitions, cafes, bars and small restaurants, common Yangtze River cruises places are also found here. The air is always filled with the aroma of coffee and tea. Many Shanghai citizens still live in Tianzifang, and they live in an "outdated" way-- still using the old green pillar-box. Yet in their eyes, such a lifestyle is surprisingly peaceful and beautiful.

With a strong reputation both at home and abroad, Tianzifang has become one of the most influential gathering areas for the creative China tour industries in Shanghai.

Inevitably, the place gets compared with Xintiandi; but whereas the architecture there is modern pastiche, this is a set of real, warts-and-all longtangs, with the result that it’s quainter, shabbier and more charming. There are still plenty of local families around, who continue, boutiques or no boutiques, to hang their woolly underwear out to dry, and old folk shuffle round in their pyjamas, studiously ignored by the chic ladies who lunch. If you’re looking for an artsy knick-knack or accessory, quirky souvenir, tasteful homeware or a designer original, this is the place to come; an emphasis on local design and creativity rather than brands makes this the best shopping experience in the city. There’s a tourist information booth just inside the entrance and next to that, a map shop; you might balk at paying ￥5 for a glossy sheet of paper, but really the map is invaluable as the alleys are Shanghai tour package
something of a warren.

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