Home » Sunday » City Scene
What's lingering in the lanes?
By Yang Di and Li Wei |
November 7, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THERE was once a mess of narrow, dark alleys dotted with unique-to-Shanghai shikumen dwellings tucked down the lanes on Taikang Road. Lane 210 was the first to be transformed into an area for local and foreign artists and designers to establish studios, retails shops and galleries.
In the past two years, more alleys in the lanes 248 and 274 connected to lane 210 have opened up and developed into charming amalgams of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes. Now, the ever-expanding Tianzifang area is a maze of small alleys and it is always fun to explore, browse and stop in the shops on a Sunday afternoon.
One might easily get lost in the alleys and miss some interesting shops filled with delights. In this section, we highlight four new shops that can satisfy the desire to explore new ideas and creativity in Tianzifang.
Demeter Fragrance Library - hit hints
Discovering a scent that moves you can be a personal adventure. In Demeter Fragrance Library, you will probably come to realize that there is not only one scent that appeals to you: they have 150 fragrances inspired by real-life everyday objects and experiences. If you aren't the type that likes the extensive trial process of smelling 150 different cologne sprays, you can choose your scents quicker based on the six categories - nature, plants, life, alcohol, delicious, fruit and vegetable. The unique, sparkling scents such as "sugar cane," "snow," "thunderstorm," "mojito," "brownie" and "sushi," can make you smile every time you smell them and remind you exactly what aromas you like. Most cologne sprays cost 285 yuan/30ml but the ones under the "alcohol" category cost 305 yuan/30ml.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Address: No. 16, Lane 274, Taikang Rd
Tel: 6172-5979
Cha Mi Jia - tea time
Cha Mi Jia, nestled in lane 274 at the corner of a narrow alley, is for those who embrace a healthy lifestyle. It is the place to come to learn more about Chinese teas, learn how to brew them in an easy modern way, buy quality tea and healthy rice, and appreciate design ceramics. The store itself is bright, well-designed and inviting, with beautiful tea containers and design ceramics lining the walls. It offers 17 high-quality teas, priced from 90 to 400 yuan, from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan such as Gua Pian from Liu An in Anhui Province, Baihao Yinzhen from Fu Ding in Fujian Province, Oolong from Mt Ali in Taiwan and Da Hong Pao from Mt Wuyi in Fujian Province. Do not forget to try a special drink called "Lei Cha," literally pounded tea, which is a Hakka tea-based beverage consisting of a mix of tea leaves and herbs that are ground or pounded together with various roasted nuts, seeds and grains. The store also sells specialty rice from Heilongjiang Province and Taiwan.
Opening hours: 10:30am-9pm
Address: No. 6, Lane 274, Taikang Rd
Tel: 6473-1086
No name - but not without words
The first book shop in Tianzifang was opened by a Taiwanese who also owns seven restaurants in the neighborhood. With a creative and artistic atmosphere, the store features a large selection of books and magazines specializing in architecture, design and culture. Some hard-to-find design books such as "Japan Graphics 2," "Mariscal Drawing Life," "European Design Awards 2007" and "Once Upon a Chair" can be found here with the average price of 200 yuan along with other coffee-table books such as "Creative Tour," "Old Industries in Shanghai" and "China's 56 Ethnic Groups" that are popular with tourists. With a cozy balcony, the second floor is also a great gathering spot for design professionals who prefer to while away the hours savoring good food, browsing design books, sipping coffee and catching up with friends. Their la 3 caf?? menu offers healthy brunch, salads, sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Unlike the shops nearby with customers busily picking up souvenir items, the book shop is an oasis sure to leave its mark on your Tianzifang tour.
Opening hours: 10am-1am
Address: Unit 3, Bldg 3, Lane 210, Taikang Rd
Zixag - designs for life
The recently opened Zixag promotes better living through better design, with the focus on creating and gathering lifestyle accessories for urban dwellers who look for functional Hong Kong design. It stocks different collections such as The Michael Young for Zixag collection. The esteemed British-born, Hong Kong-based designer has used soft cotton and tough nylon for his line of bags, workcases, messengers, day totes and travel pouches. His eye-catching creations, priced from 198 yuan (US$29.66) to 3,000 yuan, are built for creative-minded professionals. Zixag also collaborated with eight leading Hong Kong designers such as Freeman Lau and Calse Chu. Muses and spirits are embedded in their product series, where art is incorporated into everyday life. The two-floor shop is devoted to introducing new brands and designers to Shanghai, including Project Twelve, Chocolate Rain, Mud Australia, avec, Loveramics and mrkt. With an eclectic mix of innovative contemporary life products and cutting-edge designs, Zixag is a breath of fresh air in the city's design scene.
Opening hours: 10am-9pm
Address: Unit 6, Bldg 3, Lane 210, Taikang Rd
Tel: 5403-9337
In the past two years, more alleys in the lanes 248 and 274 connected to lane 210 have opened up and developed into charming amalgams of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes. Now, the ever-expanding Tianzifang area is a maze of small alleys and it is always fun to explore, browse and stop in the shops on a Sunday afternoon.
One might easily get lost in the alleys and miss some interesting shops filled with delights. In this section, we highlight four new shops that can satisfy the desire to explore new ideas and creativity in Tianzifang.
Demeter Fragrance Library - hit hints
Discovering a scent that moves you can be a personal adventure. In Demeter Fragrance Library, you will probably come to realize that there is not only one scent that appeals to you: they have 150 fragrances inspired by real-life everyday objects and experiences. If you aren't the type that likes the extensive trial process of smelling 150 different cologne sprays, you can choose your scents quicker based on the six categories - nature, plants, life, alcohol, delicious, fruit and vegetable. The unique, sparkling scents such as "sugar cane," "snow," "thunderstorm," "mojito," "brownie" and "sushi," can make you smile every time you smell them and remind you exactly what aromas you like. Most cologne sprays cost 285 yuan/30ml but the ones under the "alcohol" category cost 305 yuan/30ml.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Address: No. 16, Lane 274, Taikang Rd
Tel: 6172-5979
Cha Mi Jia - tea time
Cha Mi Jia, nestled in lane 274 at the corner of a narrow alley, is for those who embrace a healthy lifestyle. It is the place to come to learn more about Chinese teas, learn how to brew them in an easy modern way, buy quality tea and healthy rice, and appreciate design ceramics. The store itself is bright, well-designed and inviting, with beautiful tea containers and design ceramics lining the walls. It offers 17 high-quality teas, priced from 90 to 400 yuan, from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan such as Gua Pian from Liu An in Anhui Province, Baihao Yinzhen from Fu Ding in Fujian Province, Oolong from Mt Ali in Taiwan and Da Hong Pao from Mt Wuyi in Fujian Province. Do not forget to try a special drink called "Lei Cha," literally pounded tea, which is a Hakka tea-based beverage consisting of a mix of tea leaves and herbs that are ground or pounded together with various roasted nuts, seeds and grains. The store also sells specialty rice from Heilongjiang Province and Taiwan.
Opening hours: 10:30am-9pm
Address: No. 6, Lane 274, Taikang Rd
Tel: 6473-1086
No name - but not without words
The first book shop in Tianzifang was opened by a Taiwanese who also owns seven restaurants in the neighborhood. With a creative and artistic atmosphere, the store features a large selection of books and magazines specializing in architecture, design and culture. Some hard-to-find design books such as "Japan Graphics 2," "Mariscal Drawing Life," "European Design Awards 2007" and "Once Upon a Chair" can be found here with the average price of 200 yuan along with other coffee-table books such as "Creative Tour," "Old Industries in Shanghai" and "China's 56 Ethnic Groups" that are popular with tourists. With a cozy balcony, the second floor is also a great gathering spot for design professionals who prefer to while away the hours savoring good food, browsing design books, sipping coffee and catching up with friends. Their la 3 caf?? menu offers healthy brunch, salads, sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Unlike the shops nearby with customers busily picking up souvenir items, the book shop is an oasis sure to leave its mark on your Tianzifang tour.
Opening hours: 10am-1am
Address: Unit 3, Bldg 3, Lane 210, Taikang Rd
Zixag - designs for life
The recently opened Zixag promotes better living through better design, with the focus on creating and gathering lifestyle accessories for urban dwellers who look for functional Hong Kong design. It stocks different collections such as The Michael Young for Zixag collection. The esteemed British-born, Hong Kong-based designer has used soft cotton and tough nylon for his line of bags, workcases, messengers, day totes and travel pouches. His eye-catching creations, priced from 198 yuan (US$29.66) to 3,000 yuan, are built for creative-minded professionals. Zixag also collaborated with eight leading Hong Kong designers such as Freeman Lau and Calse Chu. Muses and spirits are embedded in their product series, where art is incorporated into everyday life. The two-floor shop is devoted to introducing new brands and designers to Shanghai, including Project Twelve, Chocolate Rain, Mud Australia, avec, Loveramics and mrkt. With an eclectic mix of innovative contemporary life products and cutting-edge designs, Zixag is a breath of fresh air in the city's design scene.
Opening hours: 10am-9pm
Address: Unit 6, Bldg 3, Lane 210, Taikang Rd
Tel: 5403-9337
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