Skip to main content

Fuzhou Lu

The streets running perpendicular to the Bund are named after cities such as Hankou, Suzhou, Beijing, Jinling and Nanjing. Those running parallel to the Bund are named after Provinces such as Sichuan, Henan and Shandong. These streets are thriving areas of activity each of which offers a sample...
The streets running perpendicular to the Bund are named after cities such as Hankou, Suzhou, Beijing, Jinling and Nanjing. Those running parallel to the Bund are named after Provinces such as Sichuan, Henan and Shandong. These streets are thriving areas of activity each of which offers a sample of a slightly different aspect of Shanghai life. Often dwarfed by the fame of its neighboring sister street Nanjing Lu, Fuzhou Lu is an understated, underrated and often overlooked gem.
 
Starting from the Bund, the street runs down to Peoples Square, home of the Shanghai Museum, the Urban Exhibition Center as well as plethora of restaurants, shops and historical buildings.
 
At the end of the Bund, number 19 houses Ristorante Truffre, an exquisite Italian restaurant with a genuinely romantic atmosphere. With main meals at 180 RMB per plate, the restaurant is certainly at the pricier end of the pasta scale. However, Ristorante serves up authentic cuisine, and that’s the bottom line.
 
Further down at number 37 is the Captain Youth Hostel, a firm favorite and legend amongst budget travelers  in Shanghai. The hostel’s bar, offering cut price beers and the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, is wildly popular amongst both guests at the hostel and a loyal resident clientele. Book rooms or beds early to avoid disappointment.
 
At number 209 is the famous American Club. The club was host to American politicians and traders 200 years ago when Fuzhou Lu was renowned for its entertainment and hospitality.
 
Of course, Fuzhou Lu is now known as a cultural centre by most Shanghai residents, the reason being the street’s innumerable book stores. Travelers passing through who are itching for some new reading material should head for two large bookstores boasting a bountiful selection of English language books. At number 390 is the Foreign Language Bookstore, and at number 465 is City of Books, a gargantuan 7 floor building. Despite its size, City of Books only reserves the corner of one floor, the 7th, for English books. Therefore I much prefer the former with its three floors of foreign language titles. Go to the third floor to find modern novels and magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Hello. The first floor contains mostly souvenirs, books about China, and old classics. The City of Books, however, offers a vast collection of western music CDs that are not pirated, yet still rather affordable. Expect to pay around 25 RMB for an album.
 
Past the bookstores, on the left, is the Beijing Opera theater, which is well worth checking out for professional performances. Further down on the right at the end of Fuzhou Lu is the ever popular Raffles City shopping mall, and its impressive collection of retail outlets for all your shopping needs. The basement includes a Hotdog stand and a Watson’s pharmacy, the Chinese version of Boots, which stocks name brands of shampoo, toothpaste and the like.  Across the road is the magnificent Peoples Square, the cultural and traffic hub of Shanghai. The square also marks the intersection of metro lines 1 and 2.  
 
I am confident that as every person who wanders down Fuzhou Lu will find their own hidden treasures.   

Yu Garden (Yuyuan)

Yu Garden is located in central Shanghai’s Huangpu District, on a spot within the boundaries of former Old City. It is the only classic Chinese garden in the downtown area and was once a private garden for Ming Dynasty officials. The garden covers roughly two hectares and contains various ramblin...

Yu Garden is located in central Shanghai’s Huangpu District, on a spot within the boundaries of former Old City. It is the only classic Chinese garden in the downtown area and was once a private garden for Ming Dynasty officials. The garden covers roughly two hectares and contains various rambling pathways, hidden pavilions, and classic flora. It is a good place to escape the bustling modern city outside. Take note of the hundreds of plaques and inscriptions written by well-known individuals, as well as the park’s collection of stone carvings. Yuyuan Bazaar, located nearby, is good to browse for antiques and souvenirs.

 

Tianzifang

Walking on the Taikang Road and looking into the narrow lanes, there are multiple rows of old-fashioned townhouses. This is what was called Shikumen, the most characteristic residence in Shanghai. Generally speaking, Shikumen is a two-story building with its upper floor for residence and the...

Walking on the Taikang Road and looking into the narrow lanes, there are multiple rows of old-fashioned townhouses. This is what was called Shikumen, the most characteristic residence in Shanghai. Generally speaking, Shikumen is a two-story building with its upper floor for residence and the lower floor rent to various shops, such as romantic bar, coffee shop, old teahouse, art gallery,artware workshop and featured restaurant etc which are all popular. The mazy blocks are exactly the famous ''Tianzifang''-a genuine creative market.

The Former French Concession

In 1849, much of Shanghai was carved up and shared among the key colonial powers of Europe. Much of what is known today as the Xuhui and Huangpu districts went to the French. And while the concession era is widely regarded as an unfortunate blight on the city’s history, there’s no denying that Fr...

In 1849, much of Shanghai was carved up and shared among the key colonial powers of Europe. Much of what is known today as the Xuhui and Huangpu districts went to the French. And while the concession era is widely regarded as an unfortunate blight on the city’s history, there’s no denying that France’s colonial legacy has made this one of the more atmospheric areas in town. Narrow, tree-lined streets and modernist architecture make it great for a casual stroll. It is home to several consulates -- Poland, The U.S. and France, to name a few – as well as some of the city’s trendiest bars, cafes and restaurants, all of which make it a popular area among the city’s young professional population.

Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)

The Ming tombs is the Ming dynasty emperor's tomb group of China, is located in the northwest Beijing Yanshan piedmont of the interest in Changping district. Here since seven year of Yongle (1409) in May as Changling, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty Chongzhen being buried Si Ling, during whi...

The Ming tombs is the Ming dynasty emperor's tomb group of China, is located in the northwest Beijing Yanshan piedmont of the interest in Changping district. Here since seven year of Yongle (1409) in May as Changling, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty Chongzhen being buried Si Ling, during which more than 230 years, successively built the thirteenth emperor mausoleum, seven princess tomb, tomb a eunuch. Thirteen emperors were buried, 23 queen, two prince, more than thirty two concubines and eunuchs.

Shanghai Great World Carnie

Aside from some outstanding skyscrapers, Shanghai Great World Carnie is a building that must appear in a visitor's eyesight at some point with probably no much of your attention. Although it's critically located at the intersection of two arteries of the city, Sou...

Aside from some outstanding skyscrapers, Shanghai Great World Carnie is a building that must appear in a visitor's eyesight at some point with probably no much of your attention. Although it's critically located at the intersection of two arteries of the city, South Xizang Road and Yan'an Road Elevated Highway, the building looks inactive at present as it hasn't been in operation for a few years. 

This building, built in 1917,  was originally owned by Huang Chujiu, the boss of a famous pharmaceutical company. As an entertainment site, the business in the beginning was sluggish. Not until 1931 when Huang Jinrong, one of the bigwigs of gangsters in Shanghai, bought it and renamed it "The Rong's Big World", the business soared and it soon became the entertainment center for celebrities and common people in Shanghai.

After the liberation of Shanghai, the PRC government took it over in 1954. During 1955 to 1958, it was named "The People's Carnie" and then it shut down. In the end of 1970s it was reopened as "The Youth Palace". In 1987, its original name was retrieved and open to public. Since 2008, the Great World Carnie has undergone renovation and its re-opening time remains undefined.

Shanghai Museum of Glass

Shanghai Museum of Glass was initiated and funded by Shanghai Glass Co. Ltd, which had witnessed the development of the glass industry in Shanghai and attentively preserved the inherited a century-old history and its product culture.

The design of the Museum integrates both new and existi...

Shanghai Museum of Glass was initiated and funded by Shanghai Glass Co. Ltd, which had witnessed the development of the glass industry in Shanghai and attentively preserved the inherited a century-old history and its product culture.

The design of the Museum integrates both new and existing structures, which keeps and highlights the features of the old workshop, and also gives the architecture new functionality and iconic status.

The Museum covers a building area of about 5,000 square meters of which 3,750 sqms is the main hall. And it also has a reception hall, permanent and temporary exhibition halls, collection rooms, an office area, museum shops, a library, a café, a hot glass demonstration hall and DIY shop. The demonstration of hot glass making is at 14:30 daily.