Located in the center of Shanghai City and only one block south of the Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai Xin Tian Di has become an urban tourist attraction with the historical and cultural legacies. It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style.
Shanghai Xin Tian Di is unique because of its concept of construction. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xin Tian Di, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century.
The special old form of residence in Shanghai "Shikumen", meaning "stone gate”. A typical Shikumen house is built along narrow alleys (or "long-tangs") and features a stone gate framing a black wooden front door that leads into a small-enclosed courtyard. Shikumen Building appeared in the mid-1800's, and is a product of Chinese and Western architecture styles.
Xin Tian Di is divided into two parts: the South Block and the North Block. The South Block mainly consists of modern architecture with Shikumen architecture as an accompaniment. The dividing line between the two blocks, Xingye Road, is the site of the First Congress Hall of the Chinese Communist Party.Its North Block kept the old Shikumen architecture style, forming a contrast to the modern South Block.
