Indigenous Recommendation | The Old Western-style Houses in Magic City Worth Checking In (Part I)

What to see in the Magic City? The Bund's myriad of international architecture, the dazzling Lujiazui, or the charming Suzhou River bank... As a local, I strongly recommend you to explore the old foreign-style houses of the Magic City. These houses, filled with a sense of time and exotic style, are the unique bone-eroding romance of Shanghai. Due to word limit, this is the first part. Nio House Bookstore Originally the Columbia Country Club with nearly a century of history, the bookstore has perfectly preserved the fireplace and Corinthian columns from the original building, perfectly blending the historical charm of the old building with the cultural heritage of the bookstore. 📍Location: Building 7, Shengxinso, 1262 Yan'an West Road 🈺️Hours: 10:00-22:00 PRADA Rong House One of the filming locations for "Nameless", this pure white century-old building is both classical and modern, provocative yet subtle. Art exhibitions or pop-ups are held irregularly. 📍Location: 186 North Shaanxi Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 💡Reminder: Open when there are exhibitions, reservation required DG ART SPACE This old foreign-style house on Yongjia Road, built in 1906, was once the residence of the "Egg King". The classical romantic old house perfectly combines with the modern home design. 📍Location: 617 Yongjia Road 💡Reminder: Reservation required Cha Mansion A classic old foreign-style house "hidden in plain sight" next to Xingye Taikoo Hui. Built in 1907, it was originally the mansion of Shanghai pigment tycoons Qiu Xinshan and Qiu Weiqing, later named "Cha Mansion", now Harrods Tea Room. 📍Location: 420 Weihai Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 🚇Transport: Metro Line 2/12/13 to West Nanjing Road Station MELT SEASON Dustland A two-story Spanish-style old foreign-style house on Taiyuan Road, once the residence of Ms. Zheng Nian, "the last generation of famous women in the Republic of China". 📍Location: 1, Lane 45, Taiyuan Road 💡Reminder: Reservation required Shimen Second Road Community Cultural Activity Center A century-old foreign-style house on the south bank of the Suzhou River, in the typical style of the British Queen Anne era. It was another residence of Zhang Ailing besides Changde Apartment, and the place where she was born. 📍Location: 85 Kangding East Road, Shanghai 🈺️Hours: 08:30-20:30 Shanghai Film Group Corporation A gem among existing Spanish-style residential buildings in Shanghai. Exhibitions are held irregularly and open to the public. 📍Location: 52 Yongfu Road 💡Reminder: Reservation required Guan Xia to Summer A cream-colored Spanish-style old foreign-style house built in 1936, elegant and noble. 📍Location: 111 Hunan Road 🈺️Hours: 11:00-21:00 #thingstodoshanghai