Xintiandi is a pedestrian shopping, dining and entertainment district in Shanghai’s Huangpu District, at 123 Madang Road. Its restored shikumen houses pair stone gateways, brick walls and narrow lanes with modern restaurants, cafés, bars, galleries and boutiques. Walk the older-looking streets to see the architecture, then browse the shops or settle in for a meal. The district is polished and upscale, with international dining alongside Chinese options; for a less crowded stroll, choose a weekday and explore the smaller lanes as well as the main streets.
Shikumen houses and modern streets
Xintiandi brings together renovated shikumen houses and newer buildings in a pedestrian district in central Shanghai. Shikumen, or stone-gate houses, combine Chinese and Western architectural elements. Their brick façades, black gates and narrow lanes give the area a different feel from the modern interiors now used for shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants.
Many shikumen homes across Shanghai have been demolished or altered as the city has grown. Xintiandi preserves and renovates a number of these buildings, though the district is a commercial redevelopment rather than an unchanged residential neighbourhood. Its mix of old façades and contemporary businesses is part of what you see on a walk here.
A district built for dining and browsing
The area was redeveloped as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the late 1990s and opened in 2000. Former residential blocks became a cluster of restaurants, bars, cafés, boutiques and galleries. The pedestrian streets make it easy to wander between them without needing to plan a route.
Dining ranges from Chinese, Shanghainese and Cantonese food to European and other international cuisines. The district is upscale, so it suits a meal or an evening out more than bargain shopping. For a different selection of Chinese restaurants, take a look down the smaller lanes rather than limiting your walk to the main stretches.
A place with a political history
Xintiandi is also associated with the first meeting of the Communist Party of China. A memorial house at the site includes life-size figures representing the meeting’s attendees. It offers a historical point of interest amid the district’s shops and dining venues.
The area draws crowds, particularly at weekends, when its pedestrian streets can be busy. A weekday visit makes for a more relaxed architectural stroll. Come in the evening if you want the bars and restaurants to be part of the visit, or make a short daytime stop to focus on the shikumen façades and lanes.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Xintiandi in Shanghai?
Xintiandi is in Shanghai’s Huangpu District, at 123 Madang Road.
What is Xintiandi known for?
The district combines renovated shikumen houses with pedestrian streets lined with restaurants, cafés, bars, galleries and boutiques.
How long should I spend at Xintiandi?
Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for a walk through the district. Add time if you plan to eat, shop or visit in the evening.
When is a good time to visit Xintiandi?
A weekday is a good choice for a quieter stroll. Visit in the evening to include the bars and nightlife.
