Shanghai, located on China's eastern coast, is China's largest city and a global financial and trade hub. Centered around the Huangpu River, modern skyscrapers and historic European-style architecture blend seamlessly, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere that earns it the nickname "New York of the East."
A unique blend of tradition and modernity permeates the city, offering a diverse range of attractions and dining options, including Shanghai Disneyland, the Bund, Xintiandi, and Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. As one of China's most open and trendy cities, it exerts influence across tourism, business, art, and fashion.
I'm sharing some of the Shanghai design spots that deeply inspired me during this trip.
181 Taipei Road, Huanghai District, Shanghai City
This traditional cultural space in Xincheonji is a modern interpretation of a traditional scholar's study, offering a variety of Chinese cultural experiences including calligraphy, tea ceremonies, Chinese music performances, and garden walks. It is designed as a reception room that conveys the spirit and artistry of Chinese intellect.
Hidden in an unexpected space, this serene and sophisticated space offers inspiration. Filled with beautiful furniture and fixtures inspired by traditional Chinese style, the South Study is also available at Aman Yangyun Resort.
616 Fuzhou Road, Huanghai District, Shanghai City
Established in 1934, this historic store boasts Shanghai's largest selection of paper and stationery. It offers a wide range of paper and stationery products, as well as customized services such as sophisticated paper cutting.
The uniquely Chinese paper with its rough texture is captivating, and the space itself has a unique atmosphere. Reinterpreting paper as an artistic material and lifestyle object, rather than a mere consumable, the space is known as a "treasure trove" in Shanghai.
789号兴业太古汇LG131, Nanjing West Road, Shanghai City
China's most renowned luxury lifestyle brand specializes in floral art, home decor, and fragrances. Its name derives from its pursuit of the free and bright colors of Fauvism.
We offer a wide range of high-end lifestyle products, including perfume, furniture, wallpaper, fabric, and ceramics, all beautifully crafted with unique artistry and handcrafted details.
The combination of floral art and fragrance makes the space itself feel like a work of art, providing a brand experience that fuses art and everyday life.
The flagship store features décor and design inspired by Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, drawing on the history and culture of early 20th-century Shanghai.
No. 186, West North Road, Zhengyang District, Shanghai City
Located at No. 186 Beixiang Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, Prada Longzhai is a historic mansion built in 1918. Restored by Prada and now operating as a space for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture, it is a landmark Shanghai landmark. Originally the residence of Chinese flour and textile entrepreneur Rong Zongjing, the building is a unique three-story villa that combines European Renaissance, French, and Chinese traditions.
Recently, the restaurant has attracted even more attention by collaborating with director Wong Kar-wai to open Asia's first independent dining space called 'Mi Shang'.
Located in the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Shanghai's Chengpu District, this property is a quaint and luxurious guesthouse, renovated from the Yang Clan House, built in the late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty. While preserving the traditional brick and wood architecture, it also features modern amenities, providing a comfortable stay for both travelers and business travelers.
The unique way of entering the village by taking a small boat along the waterway adds to the unique charm of the village. Inside, there are also experiences that allow you to feel the passage of time, such as the nightly bedding-making ritual with the provision of Apochah tea, and the experience of seasonal tea ceremonies.
The building follows the traditional merchant-style layout, combining retail and residential spaces. The design of the curved garden and the seasonal flowering trees enhance the classic aesthetic. Originally the operator of "Gangnam No. 1 Tea House," the restorer created this space by combining tea house culture with the operation of a guesthouse, creating a unique accommodation that harmonizes past and present.
