THE 79-year-old lane known as Jing'an Villa has been transformed into a neighborhood of immense creativity and culture. Entering the gate of 1025 Nanjing Road W. and exploring the small lanes on both sides, you immediately start to sense the vibrant, artsy atmosphere. Besides several tailor shops and small cafes, some quirky little shops have been opened recently, offering designer clothes, ceramics, lifestyle items and even a book-lending service. Unlike Tian Zi Fang on Taikang Road which is too crowded nowadays, Jing'an Villa, comprising 180 lane houses, is a retreat in the city center that attracts a small but loyal following who love art, culture and a petite bourgeois lifestyle. The houses here are modeled on European-style villas. Many high-profile residents, including movie director Zheng Zhengqiu, educator Cai Yuanpei, banker and politician H.H. Kung lived in the neighborhood in the 1930s.

Address: 1025 Nanjing Road W.

Felix

Among Shanghai's vintage shops, grandma's old stuff suddenly becomes cool again. Felix, opened one year ago by a former interior designer, sells plenty of antique items from Art Deco furniture to vintage bags. A tiny, lovely wooden stool costs 150 to 400 yuan, and a couple of classic Art Deco chairs are about 2,000 yuan. Porcelain necklaces and delicate handcrafted ceramic items are good choice if the large stuff won't fit in your shopping bag. Must-buys include the tiny ceramic dumplings (10 yuan), unique ceramic necklaces (30 yuan) and mahjong incense holder (18 yuan). The shop also offers zha jiang mian (18 yuan), a northern Chinese dish consisting of noodles topped with a mixture of ground pork stir-fried with salty fermented soybean paste. Anyone who loves this comfort food should not miss it.

Opening hours: 11:30am-11pm

Address: No. 123, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 1391-6188-418

1/2 Eternity

This newcomer to the area which opened one month ago specializes in ready-to-wear white shirts and blouses. Owner Wu Yilei, a designer, received a MA degree from London College of Fashion and worked for the French brand Anne Fontaine before establishing the shop. She runs her own brand to put an innovative spin on the classic white shirt, using organic fabric and simple yet delicate design. The concept is inspired by Anne Fontaine who has masterfully conquered the world of fashion through her famous concepts surrounding the traditional white shirt. The lovely shop owner wants to create a line of white shirts for Asian women. All the clothes speak of "delicacy, romance and elegancy," but also include a subtle playfulness. Currently, 1/2 Eternity has two collections and more than 20 pieces. The average cost of a white shirt is between 300 to 400 yuan.

Opening hours: 2pm-6:30pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)

Address: No. 123, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 1376-1771-555

Vale 192

It's always exciting to hit upon a restaurant that is relatively unknown and not frequented by foodies. This hidden family-style eatery inside the artsy neighborhood is for those in the know and who enjoy their Delverde pasta, a brand sought out and highly regarded by Italian food lovers. Diners settle easily into the mood as if they were in an Italian grandma's kitchen. The small outdoor terrace with plants decorating the wall gives this wine and coffee house an extra cozy feel. The menu is simple: pastas, pizzas and sandwiches with various sauces and ingredients are the hot items, prices starting from 38 to 78 yuan. They also offer soups, salads and Italian cheese and ham. The 58-yuan lunch set includes salad, panini and fresh juice (but normally you need to wait for a while to get your food). A two-for-one happy hour starts early from 2:30pm to 5pm on selected house wine. And there is a selection of 71 types of Italian wine from the country's central region with each bottle costing about 220 to 280 yuan.

Opening hours: 11:30am-10pm

Address: No. 192, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 6217-0654

Cute Stuff

In a city with retail prices going higher and crazier, it is such a delight to discover a shop selling quality, creative lifestyle goods at reasonable prices. Cute Stuff is a lovely shop that was opened almost a year ago by a Shanghai native. The concept is like a Japanese zakka (anything that improves your home, life or appearance) offering all kinds of daily necessities from tableware, miniature furniture and stationery to gardening tools. Most of the products here are adorably mini-sized and you simply cannot help taking a closer look at everything on the shelves. Check out the colorful enamel cups in different sizes (16 to 20 yuan), fish-shaped ceramic plate (22 yuan) and handmade leather-covered books (45 to 100 yuan).

Opening hours: 12am-9pm

Address: No. 168, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 1896-4024-538

2666 Library

2666 Library is one of the first private libraries in Shanghai. Named after Chilean author Roberto Bolano's classic book, the salon-like place was founded by five local friends to bring together like-minded people. More than 3,000 books, mostly literary fiction, are well-organized on shelves. One-third of them are English versions, highlighting big names in Latin American literature. Book lovers can read in the private atmosphere for free. A basic selection of coffee and desserts are available for an average 25 yuan. Bookworms can also borrow up to three books for two weeks by applying for a monthly membership card at 100 yuan. Quarterly (266 yuan), half-yearly (406 yuan) and annual (806 yuan) memberships are also available.

Opening hours: 1pm-10pm

Address: No. 136, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 6210-3526

Ru-Wa Studio

Both selling and teaching patrons the art of traditional Chinese crafts, Ru-Wa Studio is a place with charm and deserves an afternoon of your time. Opened two years ago, the indie handicraft store is run by a local couple who are very interested in traditional Chinese crafts. A variety of made-to-order souvenirs can be bought here, from delicate bamboo kites to lovely rattle drums. Once auspicious symbols of ancient China, they are still appreciated today for their decorative and cultural significance. Customers can also try making works for themselves. The studio provides step-by-step instructions and all the materials needed. Rabbit lamps and cloth tigers are a good choice for green hands. The cost of your own handiwork is 60 to 150 yuan and a reservation is needed beforehand.

Opening hours: 12:30am-8pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)

Address: No. 81, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 6218-5859

Hooper

As one of the burgeoning trendy cafés in this central-yet-quiet spot, Hooper is a perfect place to rest your legs after a couple of hours shopping among the hustle and bustle of Nanjing Road W. At Hooper, visitors are welcome to relax by sipping a cup of coffee or having a chat with friends. Featuring quite sophisticated design, lush plants and cultural events, Hooper affords its patrons a simple selection of coffee, Chinese teas and hand-made desserts from 20 yuan (US$3.13) and up. The eight owners are all architects based in Shanghai and they have achieved their goal of creating a place where not only their friends, but all visitors, can unwind after a hectic day.

Opening hours: 2pm-10pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)

Address: No. 41, Jing'an Villa

Tel: 5268-8826