Treasure caves of Tai'an Road
By Yang Di and Deng Ran |
August 16, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LOCATED between the more famous Huashan Road and Wukang Road, Tai'an Road is overshadowed to some extent. However, take a closer look and you'll detect its unique, unassuming beauty. The roadside boutiques, with low-key facias, feel like secret treasure caves when you step inside. The European-style architecture reflects the road's richly affluent neighborhood's past.
The road is just perfect for a relaxing stroll - take a look at 1920s-30s' villas, lilongs and apartment buildings in an "off-the-beaten-track" part of the former French Concession. Even during the city's rush hours, the road still displays a leisurely slow pace, which is quite unusual to find in the bustling downtown.
1930's genuine collectables
Born into a family trading Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties furniture, Gao Shiling gradually developed her own preferences and founded 1930, a store selling original furniture and lighting from Shanghai's 1930s. It stocks a kaleidoscopic collection of furniture, domestic facilities and decorative items that once graced bourgeois homes in old Shanghai. In collecting the items from special markets and street hawkers, Gao always scrutinizes each piece to ensure it is genuine. The rich variety of items - ranging from closets, desks and chandeliers to radios and watches - gives a hint of the owner's enthusiasm. A visit to the store definitely pays off for those who embrace Shanghai's bygone eras. It's a place where one can easily get lost in romantic thoughts of the stories behind all the aged pieces.
Address: 29 Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 11:30am-6:30pm
Tel: 6431-7729
Spring Swiftlets Food & Beverage
The name "spring swiftlets" reflects the restaurant's goal of "soaring to a higher quality of life" which is meant to be achieved through its delicate dishes and plush environment. Pricy dishes feature versatile approaches to birds' nests, abalone and shark fin. The fridges are usually empty in order to reinforce the concept of freshness as, for example, seafood and freshwater fish are transported from the likes of Qingdao, Dalian and Yangcheng Lake immediately after orders are made. Formerly known as a club for quality car owners, it was converted into a restaurant in May and caters for guests in separate dining rooms where they can enjoy fine meals in private, quiet and luxurious style. The building is part of Willow Garden where the first chairman of the Continental Bank used to live.
Address: No. 27, Lane 120, Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 10:30am-9:30pm
Tel: 6283-9977
Willow Garden
The Continental Bank built 31 three-story villas, named Willow Garden, back in 1924. Occupying a total of 12,000 square meters and straddling both Huashan Road and Tai'an Road , it is one of the highest-ranking residential areas in west Shanghai. In the 1920s and 1930s, the mansions designed in French, Spanish and British country styles, were rented to wealthy businessmen. Former residents have included He Zizhen, ex-wife of late Chairman Mao Zedong, and Huang Zuolin, a famous director and scriptwriter. Now well-known scholars, teachers, artists and successful businessmen live in the villas. Each house has a garden as large as 100 square meters and the complex is deemed as excellent modern architecture by the municipal government.
Address: Lane 120, Tai'an Rd
Adobo Restaurant
Discover the pleasures of Mexican cuisine while immersing yourself in its true flavors in this restaurant which claims to offer authentic Mexican food and drink. The interior design and fittings carry a strong Mexican flavor, featuring characteristic Mexican paper-cuts and murals. Mexican cuisine is a melting pot of flavors and delicious ingredients and here the key spices and chilies are imported from Mexico to ensure authentic tastes. The local chefs are trained every three months by Mexican specialists. It endeavors to fulfill expats' cravings for Mexican food, as well as local people's curiosity of Western flavors. The eatery also functions as an ideal party place for overseas students from nearby universities as it is open late till midnight and serves drinks and snacks at very reasonable prices.
Address: 139 Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 11am-1am
Tel: 6281-4891
The road is just perfect for a relaxing stroll - take a look at 1920s-30s' villas, lilongs and apartment buildings in an "off-the-beaten-track" part of the former French Concession. Even during the city's rush hours, the road still displays a leisurely slow pace, which is quite unusual to find in the bustling downtown.
1930's genuine collectables
Born into a family trading Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties furniture, Gao Shiling gradually developed her own preferences and founded 1930, a store selling original furniture and lighting from Shanghai's 1930s. It stocks a kaleidoscopic collection of furniture, domestic facilities and decorative items that once graced bourgeois homes in old Shanghai. In collecting the items from special markets and street hawkers, Gao always scrutinizes each piece to ensure it is genuine. The rich variety of items - ranging from closets, desks and chandeliers to radios and watches - gives a hint of the owner's enthusiasm. A visit to the store definitely pays off for those who embrace Shanghai's bygone eras. It's a place where one can easily get lost in romantic thoughts of the stories behind all the aged pieces.
Address: 29 Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 11:30am-6:30pm
Tel: 6431-7729
Spring Swiftlets Food & Beverage
The name "spring swiftlets" reflects the restaurant's goal of "soaring to a higher quality of life" which is meant to be achieved through its delicate dishes and plush environment. Pricy dishes feature versatile approaches to birds' nests, abalone and shark fin. The fridges are usually empty in order to reinforce the concept of freshness as, for example, seafood and freshwater fish are transported from the likes of Qingdao, Dalian and Yangcheng Lake immediately after orders are made. Formerly known as a club for quality car owners, it was converted into a restaurant in May and caters for guests in separate dining rooms where they can enjoy fine meals in private, quiet and luxurious style. The building is part of Willow Garden where the first chairman of the Continental Bank used to live.
Address: No. 27, Lane 120, Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 10:30am-9:30pm
Tel: 6283-9977
Willow Garden
The Continental Bank built 31 three-story villas, named Willow Garden, back in 1924. Occupying a total of 12,000 square meters and straddling both Huashan Road and Tai'an Road , it is one of the highest-ranking residential areas in west Shanghai. In the 1920s and 1930s, the mansions designed in French, Spanish and British country styles, were rented to wealthy businessmen. Former residents have included He Zizhen, ex-wife of late Chairman Mao Zedong, and Huang Zuolin, a famous director and scriptwriter. Now well-known scholars, teachers, artists and successful businessmen live in the villas. Each house has a garden as large as 100 square meters and the complex is deemed as excellent modern architecture by the municipal government.
Address: Lane 120, Tai'an Rd
Adobo Restaurant
Discover the pleasures of Mexican cuisine while immersing yourself in its true flavors in this restaurant which claims to offer authentic Mexican food and drink. The interior design and fittings carry a strong Mexican flavor, featuring characteristic Mexican paper-cuts and murals. Mexican cuisine is a melting pot of flavors and delicious ingredients and here the key spices and chilies are imported from Mexico to ensure authentic tastes. The local chefs are trained every three months by Mexican specialists. It endeavors to fulfill expats' cravings for Mexican food, as well as local people's curiosity of Western flavors. The eatery also functions as an ideal party place for overseas students from nearby universities as it is open late till midnight and serves drinks and snacks at very reasonable prices.
Address: 139 Tai'an Rd
Opening hours: 11am-1am
Tel: 6281-4891
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