1933 Old Millfun

1933 Old Millfun is a former slaughterhouse in Shanghai’s Hongkou District, now used for shops, cafes, restaurants and offices. Its concrete structure is the main draw: curved stairs, bridges and sloping walkways wind through a maze of corridors, creating plenty to explore and photograph. Some spaces are quiet and many storefronts are shuttered, so come chiefly for the architecture rather than a full day of shopping. A few occupied shops provide places to stop for coffee or browse.

A former slaughterhouse in Hongkou

The building once housed the Shanghai Municipal Council Slaughterhouse, described in the supplied material as the largest slaughterhouse in Shanghai. It has since been converted into a mix of shops, cafes, restaurants and offices. The change in use has not erased the industrial character of the structure, which remains the main reason to visit.

The building is at 10 Shajing Road in Hongkou District. Its scale and maze-like layout make it easy to spend time exploring beyond the first staircase or corridor you find. Shops and other businesses occupy only some parts of the complex, so the visit is more about the building than a broad choice of places to browse.

How to explore the architecture

Look for the curved staircases, sloping walkways and bridges that connect different sections. The routes create varied views across the interior, and the concrete walls give the spaces a strong industrial feel. Take your time moving through the corridors rather than treating the building as a single photo stop; different passages reveal different shapes and viewpoints.

The light inside is described as dark, and the walkways can feel quiet. Photography is a common reason to come, but the architecture also rewards a slower look at how the stairs and bridges fit together. If you want coffee or a shop stop, check the businesses that are open as you explore; many storefronts are shuttered.