Zhang Yuan, Shanghai
When one hears of Shanghai, one automatically thinks about its status as an international metropolis. Indeed, Shanghai lives up to its reputation as a modern business hub. However, did you know that this city is also known for its long and varied history?
If you are interested in finding out more about the intricate architecture in Shanghainese buildings, forget the Yu Garden or The Bund! Instead, explore a hidden gem of Shanghai, Zhang Yuan, where you will get to view traditional housing and its unique features.
Shikumen石库门 (or literally Stone Warehouse Gate) refers to a special style of housing that combines Western and Chinese elements in Shanghai. Such an interesting style dates back to the olden days where European developers were playing a part in designing houses in Shanghai.
What you can expect
The rows of traditional alleyway houses, Shikumen, translated as ‘gates wrapped in stone’, or ‘stone gate’ in Mandarin, have a unique housing style notable for their mix of Western and Eastern architecture elements. These houses are typically two-story high and constructed with bricks and woods.
Wandering into Zhang Yuan is akin to entering a gateway of a bygone era. The origins of Shikumen-style houses date back as early as the 18th century, a tumultuous and revolutionary time in Shanghai that saw the influx of British and European communities.
Those who are looking for a good place to take their #OOTD shots will be glad to know that the front doorways of Shikumen are usually magnificent looking and grand! You can pose photos under plaques that feature the names of residents’ ancestors, written in beautiful Chinese calligraphic script.
What makes Shikumen so unique and intriguing is the way it is designed and arranged. If you get an opportunity to see Zhang Yuan from a bird’s eye view, you’ll notice that the houses are arranged into grids.
Take a walk around the Lilong 里弄 settlement and you can will find an interesting array of shops that served the houses around them, such as the community hall and other little dining spots. You can also spot several share amenities such as sinks and toilets along the alleyways, which the small houses could not accommodate.
These doorways lead to a small courtyard where children can let loose a little and play! After all, this would be a welcoming sight after you tread through the somewhat narrow alleyways of the streets. Of course, such a packed settlement structure served the residents well as they were able to mingle with their neighbours easily.
Nowadays, it’s a pity that the condition of Shikumen houses are degrading due to the demographics – mainly the elderly and poor immigrants – of these settlements, especially as they are such an integral part of Shanghai’s history. Before these traditional houses become a thing of the past, do visit them as part of your itinerary and wow your friends back home with tales of this underrated travel site when you get back home! One word of advice is that this is still a residential area so please be respectful and don’t trespass on private property without consent of the owner.
How to get there
Getting to Zhang Yuan
- Take exit 4 from the subway and you will be on Nanjing Road West 南京西路
- Look out for Taixing Road泰兴路 and walk 5 minutes to Zhang Yuan.
