The Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall in Shanghai combines a small display about indigo-dyed cloth with a shop selling handmade textiles and accessories. Look for cotton and silk scarves, embroidered blouses, tablecloths, shoes, hats and bags. Upstairs, photos and tools explain how nankeen is starched and dyed by hand. The cloth may also be displayed in the courtyard, where the setting is quieter than the busy streets outside. The hall can be difficult to find, so head towards Changshu Road on Changle Road and allow time to explore nearby lanes.
The cloth and its craft
Nankeen, also called blue calico, is cotton or silk cloth dyed indigo by hand. The exhibition hall’s upstairs display uses photographs and tools to explain how the fabric is starched and dyed. It gives context to the textiles in the shop, where the focus is on finished pieces as well as the process behind them.
The hall stocks work made by artisans in rural Anhui Province. You can browse scarves, tablecloths and blouses with Chinese embroidery, along with cushions, bedding and other goods. Clothing and accessories include mandarin-collar shirts for men and women, small tea dresses, soft-soled slip-on shoes, hats and bags.
Finding the exhibition hall
The hall is on Changle Road, towards Changshu Road, but directions can point visitors to the wrong end of the street. Leave extra time to search the nearby alleys and corners rather than relying on a single map pin.
A courtyard provides a quieter place to pause, and cloth is sometimes arranged there to move in the breeze. Weekends can be busier, so a weekday visit is a practical choice if you prefer a calmer browse. The main reason to stop is the combination of craft displays and textiles available to see and buy.
Perguntas frequentes
What can you see at the Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall?
An upstairs display uses photographs and tools to explain how nankeen is starched and dyed. The shop has textiles, clothing and accessories made with the fabric.
What is sold at the exhibition hall?
Items include cotton and silk scarves, tablecloths, embroidered blouses, cushions, bedding, shirts, shoes, hats and bags.
How do you find the exhibition hall?
Head along Changle Road towards Changshu Road. Some directions point to the wrong end of the street, so allow time to search nearby lanes.
When is a good time to visit?
Weekdays are a good choice if you want to avoid the busier weekend crowds.
