Xintiandi新天地
Xintiandi, in the Huaihai Road shopping district, is one of Shanghai's signature urban-renewal projects. The city's distinctive shikumen facades are preserved while the interiors have been recast as stylish dining, entertainment and culture spaces — a Chinese-and-Western blend that has made it a Shanghai fashion landmark and tourist favorite.
Shanghai · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Xintiandi worth visiting?
Shikumen renovation district opened in 2001, now a Shanghai fashion landmark; free entry, shops about 10:00 to 02:00, a 5-minute walk from South Huangpi Road station on Metro Lines 1 and 10.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free admission |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open all day; shops roughly 10:00 to 02:00 |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | All year; most atmospheric after dark |
| How to get there | Metro Line 1 or 10 to South Huangpi Road (Site of the First CPC Congress) station, then a 5-minute walk |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| Location | Huaihai Road shopping district |
| Architecture | Renovated shikumen houses |
| Style | East-meets-West |
| Opened | |
| North and South blocks | Two zones |
| Status | A Shanghai fashion landmark |
What to expect
Xintiandi divides into a North Block and a South Block. The North Block keeps the old shikumen houses and the look of old Shanghai's longtang lanes, now home to upscale restaurants, cafes and bars; the South Block is contemporary architecture devoted to fashion shopping and entertainment. Old and new face each other across the lanes for a striking visual effect.
The Taipingqiao green park is an integral part of Xintiandi — a rare stretch of nature in the dense city. Around it rise premium offices and residences, and buildings such as SOHO Fuxing Plaza are worth a look in their own right. The district has become one of Shanghai's flagship high-end consumption areas.
Xintiandi is also home to the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC; the memorial hall beside it opened in 2021 as a new landmark of "red culture". Come at dusk — tour the congress site first, then stay for dinner in Xintiandi.
How to get there
Metro Line 1 or 10 to South Huangpi Road station, then a 5-minute walk
Best photo spots
- Shikumen facades against the glass towers
- The North Block at night
- The Taipingqiao green
- The First CPC Congress memorial exterior
Tips
- Come at dusk — see the congress site first, then dine in Xintiandi
- Prices run high; spend as you please
- The Huaihai Road shopping district is next door — pair the two
- Parking is pricey — take the metro
Scams to avoid
- Beware unofficial valet parking touts
- Be wary of restaurants pushed by strangers
Frequently asked questions
Xintiandi or the City God Temple — which is better?
They are different experiences — Xintiandi is the fashion landmark, the City God Temple is old-town culture. Both are worth a visit.
Is Xintiandi expensive?
Comparatively yes — most restaurants run CNY 100-500 per person.
What is shikumen?
A Shanghai-only housing style with stone gate frames and dark-lacquered wooden doors.
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