Taikang Lu (Shanghai)
Encyclopedia
Tianzifang or Tian Zi Fang is an arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a renovated residential area in the French Concession area of Shanghai
, China
. It comprises a neighborhood of labyrinthine alleyways off Taikang Road , and is therefore also referred to as Taikang Road or Taikang Lu. Tianzifang is known for small craft stores, coffee shops, trendy art studios and narrow alleys. It has become a popular tourist destination in Shanghai, and an example of preservation of local Shikumen
architecture, with some similarities to Xintiandi
.
Tianzifang is largely hidden from the neighbouring streets, as it grew from the inside of the block outward, although there are now shops on Taikang Lu itself. Historically Lane #248 was a key entrance that, in order to gain access to the commercially developed area, required walking about 50m through whilst be surrounded by local residents' life, including bicycles, hanging laundry, etc. until finally emerging in the 'new' area.
residential district. It remained very local until about 2006 when it was slated for demolition to make way for redevelopment. Opposition amongst local business owners and residents, as well as a famous artist Chen Yifei
who had a studio in Tianzifang, in addition to a group submitted a proposal to the local government to preserve the Taikang Lu area and its traditional architecture and ambience.
Rezoning of Tianzifang began in 2005/2006 with nearby art schools and studios, and later small international business owners found out about Tianzifang through the local grapevine. Its development began very slowly with local merchants, a New Zealand store, Japanese restaurants, and a tea house setting up in the district.
From the beginning of 2007, journalists, visitors and local residents began to visit the area and spread the word about a cosy little lane district that housed some interesting and creative businesses. Additional articles in both local and foreign media such as the New York Times helped increase awareness of this older and unusual community, that stood out among the more modern and commercial shopping areas of Shanghai.
Line 9 Dapu Bridge station and less than 15 minutes walk from the 2010 Shanghai Expo site.
Despite all the businesses selling trendy foreign goods, the area does not have the look of having been overly beautified - electricity cables are still strung overhead, and air conditioning units are obvious on the outside of the buildings. The district is distinctly different from Xintiandi
, another Shikumen redevelopment in the vicinity, in that it has managed to preserve its residential feel, adding to its appeal.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It comprises a neighborhood of labyrinthine alleyways off Taikang Road , and is therefore also referred to as Taikang Road or Taikang Lu. Tianzifang is known for small craft stores, coffee shops, trendy art studios and narrow alleys. It has become a popular tourist destination in Shanghai, and an example of preservation of local Shikumen
Shikumen
Shikumen , literally "stone gate", is an architectural style for residential buildings in Shanghai, China combining Western and Chinese elements that first appeared in the 1860s...
architecture, with some similarities to Xintiandi
Xintiandi
Xintiandi is an affluent car-free shopping, eating and entertainment district of Shanghai, China. It is composed of an area of reconstituted traditional shikumen houses on narrow alleys, some adjoining houses which now serve as book stores, cafes and restaurants, and shopping malls. Most of the...
.
Tianzifang is largely hidden from the neighbouring streets, as it grew from the inside of the block outward, although there are now shops on Taikang Lu itself. Historically Lane #248 was a key entrance that, in order to gain access to the commercially developed area, required walking about 50m through whilst be surrounded by local residents' life, including bicycles, hanging laundry, etc. until finally emerging in the 'new' area.
History
The neighborhood was originally built in the 1930s as a ShikumenShikumen
Shikumen , literally "stone gate", is an architectural style for residential buildings in Shanghai, China combining Western and Chinese elements that first appeared in the 1860s...
residential district. It remained very local until about 2006 when it was slated for demolition to make way for redevelopment. Opposition amongst local business owners and residents, as well as a famous artist Chen Yifei
Chen Yifei
Chen Yifei was a famous Chinese classic painter, art director, vision artist and film director....
who had a studio in Tianzifang, in addition to a group submitted a proposal to the local government to preserve the Taikang Lu area and its traditional architecture and ambience.
Rezoning of Tianzifang began in 2005/2006 with nearby art schools and studios, and later small international business owners found out about Tianzifang through the local grapevine. Its development began very slowly with local merchants, a New Zealand store, Japanese restaurants, and a tea house setting up in the district.
From the beginning of 2007, journalists, visitors and local residents began to visit the area and spread the word about a cosy little lane district that housed some interesting and creative businesses. Additional articles in both local and foreign media such as the New York Times helped increase awareness of this older and unusual community, that stood out among the more modern and commercial shopping areas of Shanghai.
Today
Tianzifang is today a major tourist attraction and has more than 200 diverse small businesses such as cafes, restaurants, art galleries, craft stores, design houses and studios, and even French bistros. It is adjacent to the under-construction SML center which will be among the largest shopping malls in Shanghai upon completion. It is also next to the MetroShanghai Metro
The Shanghai Metro is the urban rapid transit system of China's largest city, Shanghai. The system incorporates both subway and light rail lines. It opened in 1995, making Shanghai the third city in Mainland China, after Beijing and Tianjin, to have a rapid transit system...
Line 9 Dapu Bridge station and less than 15 minutes walk from the 2010 Shanghai Expo site.
Despite all the businesses selling trendy foreign goods, the area does not have the look of having been overly beautified - electricity cables are still strung overhead, and air conditioning units are obvious on the outside of the buildings. The district is distinctly different from Xintiandi
Xintiandi
Xintiandi is an affluent car-free shopping, eating and entertainment district of Shanghai, China. It is composed of an area of reconstituted traditional shikumen houses on narrow alleys, some adjoining houses which now serve as book stores, cafes and restaurants, and shopping malls. Most of the...
, another Shikumen redevelopment in the vicinity, in that it has managed to preserve its residential feel, adding to its appeal.