Shanghai - Pyjamas and Arts in a Shikumen

魔娜 狸鲨

On our last day in Shanghai, we paid a visit to a transformed shikumen (石库门; pinyin: shíkùmén).

Shikumens are residential buildings whose architectural styles combine Western and Chinese elements, first appearing in Shanghai in the 1860s.

Exit city, enter enclave

Tianzi Fang of Taikang Road (泰康路/田子坊) was one such area found in the French Concession of Shanghai. As the city developed over the years, this particular shikumen has retained some of its essence despite being redeveloped into a little art enclave littered with shops art, cafes art, everything trying to be art.

Tianzi Fang's kinda overran by tourists. Located in the center of the city, it is subjected to a relentless number of DSLRs at almost any time of the day. Art pieces tend to repeat in every alternate shop.

I have a preference for 798 Artzone in Beijing, where it is less crowded by visitors and more populated with genuine art lovers.

Of course, Tianzi Fang does exude some Shanghai flair with residents displaying their own form of art.

Underwear hung anywhere and everywhere

But the cynical us doubt the authenticity of their pyjamas parade.

Likely a marketing ploy to unique-fy the place.

Still, at least Shanghai has an art zone.

I think Singapore ought to have one of its own or does have one, but we've not been there.

Wondering where where where

Anyone knows of such a place?

Don't say Esplanade ah.