Yueyang Road seems to embody the differing personalities of Shanghai. This relatively short street manages to pack in a mix of old and new, and taking its visitors on a journey. From historical buildings and art, cuisine and shopping, right through to the party scene, Yueyang Road has something for everyone. With a number of the original buildings government owned, access is limited but passing by the decorative architecture makes for a fascinating walk before hitting the road's popular spots.

For art lovers a number of galleries lure those with an eye for modern styles. Hours could be spent trying to select between the many brightly colored pieces available, which would add flare to apartments or offices. For those wanting to add more subtle color to their home, there are also a number of interesting shops dotted along the road with decorative pieces. In keeping with the artistic feel of the area, a number of bright and quirky restaurants offer a welcome break from the bustle on the street. A good idea is to stretch dinner out into the evening when the road becomes a thriving bar and party spot.


Zen deco's one-off specials

Zen deco explores your needs for one-of-a-kind special furniture design when you've lost your appetite for big brands and those massive manufactured products. The shop sells design furniture and home accessories, ranging from English 1930s style sofas, Chinese style cabinets, ceramic vases and English style brass lamps, to contemporary photographs. Most pieces on display are in neo-vintage style, exuding a strong Eastern influence and flaunting daring colors. The striking East-meets-West pieces are set to inspire your home.

Opening hours: 10am-8pm

Address: 18 Yueyang Rd

Tel: 5466-5690


Latitude & Longitude options

For color, cuisine and atmosphere head to Latitude. This fairly new French bistro tries to create a romantic setting with a richly decorated interior. A set menu is available for lunch starting at 58 yuan (US$8.50) for one course, 78 yuan for two and 98 yuan for two courses plus a dessert. For dinner expect to pay about 218 yuan. A new autumn menu is to be launched in the next few weeks. After dining, customers can head upstairs to the bistro's bar, Longitude. Filled with couches decorated with bright silk cushions, music and an outdoor terrace, the venue has become a popular party spot. Every Thursday, two-for-the-price-of-one martinis are available and there is a happy hour from 5pm to 8pm. On Sunday the party scene winds down again with brunch available on the terrace for 78 yuan between 11am and 4pm.

Opening hours: Latitude 11:30am-1pm; Longitude 5pm-2am or later.

Address: 1 Yueyang Rd

Tel: 6431-7751


Built in 1928, this three-story garden home was once the private residence of T.V. Soong, the Minister of Finance in Chiang Kai-shek's National Party government, a position that served the multi-millionaire well. With the defeat of the Kuomintang in the Civil War, he moved to New York where he lived until his death at the age of 77. This building tucked away on Yueyang Road has a very symmetrical style, featuring a red tiled roof, spacious veranda and lobby. The living room on the ground floor once served as a ballroom and between the two bedrooms on the second floor is an open veranda of 60 square meters. The residence overlooks a 2-hectare garden in which there are camphor trees, pines, cypresses, palm tress and hollies. Now, it is the location of Shanghai's old comrades center.

Address: 145 Yueyang Rd


Noeli Gallery

Noeli Gallery is tucked away in an old house, which was once the residence of a high-ranking military officer. Since its opening in 2007, the gallery devotes itself to promoting potential Chinese and foreign artists. According to the gallery owner, they keep scouting out new talented artists in painting, sketching, photography and sculpture. Currently, the gallery is hosting Chinese contemporary artist Mou Huan's solo exhibition "Less is More'' until December 13. As early as 1988, together with Zhang Xiaogang, he was one of the earliest pioneers of China' contemporary art scene. After living in Germany for 10 years, the artist returned to China to show his latest works. His art is devoted to visionary and surreal phenomena.

Opening hours: 11:30am-9:30pm (Tuesday to Thursday, and Sunday); 11:30am-10pm(Friday and Saturday); closed on Mondays

Address: 150B Yueyang Rd

Tel: 6431-9442


People Six's tricks and treats

Whether making a reservation, trying to get through the door, or already seated, tricks and games greet you at People Six. The creative restaurant on Yueyang Road is one of the oldest in a chain of the Shintori Collection outlets. Running for eight years, the many regular customers know what to expect at the playful venue but for first-time diners, trying to get the metallic, sliding doors at the entrance to open can be tough °?-- as a clue look to the decorative monument on the left. Once through the doors, the lighthearted theme continues with a metallic hopscotch game decorating the path up to the restaurant. Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed with big white sofas allowing diners to comfortably enjoy the food. Lunch sets are available for 45 yuan and include one side dish, two main courses, including popular dishes like boiled bull frog and spicy pork intestine, and one bowl of rice and soup which changes each day, as well as tea or coffee. Afternoon tea sets are available at 38 yuan and come with one coffee, tea or juice, dessert of the day and finger food of the day. In the evening, People Six is a popular spot for couples. Every sixth person who calls to make a reservation is offered a secret room for the evening. Popular dishes on the night menu include fried chicken strips, Chinese broccoli in an ice bowl, stir fried beef on iron plate and miso flavored cod fish steak.

Opening hours: 11:30am-1am

Address: 150 Yueyang Rd

Tel: 6466-0505


No. 320

This Gothic-style building opened in 1930 was designed by renowned Japanese architect Yoshikazu Uchida, who is best remembered for the buildings he designed on the campus of the University of Tokyo. With the assistance of younger colleagues and students in the Department of Architecture, he designed some 30 buildings in a distinctive style known as "Uchida Gothic.'' This one on Yueyang Road is very similar to the library on the campus of the University of Tokyo. The building emphasizes vertical lines and the exterior walls are light brown. The decoration by the windows is very Gothic in style, while the tapering bands that protrude upward from the building show geometric patterns that are typical of the Art Deco style. The building now is used by the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

Address: 320 Yueyang Rd


Grandeur in a city garden

Built in 1928, this English country style garden residence complex has a big multi-tiered roof with numerous attic windows. The front facing lower level is covered with red clay tiles and the second floor exterior is painted white with wooden beams as decorations. There are well-made red brick chimneys on the roof. One of the structures in the compound was the French Consulate before 1949. Both buildings have been restored to their original splendor. The complex became Chinese Academy of Science's Shanghai office after 1956.

Address: 319 Yueyang Road