Shanghai Xintiandi is located in the center of Shanghai City south of Huaihai Zhong Lu. It covers a site area of 30,000 square meters. Shanghai Xin Tian Di is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. The perfect integration of the past and the present and of the East and West endows Xintiandi with endless charm.
Its concept of constructionS make hanghai Xin Tian Di unique. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xin Tian Di, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century. With this unique architectural design, Xintiandi has won the national "Innovation China 2001 - Architecture Award", "AIA Hong Kong Citation 2002" and 2003 Award for Excellence from US-based Urban Land Institute.
Xin Tian Di is divided into two parts by Xingye Road: the North Block and the South Block. In the North Block, antique buildings Shiqumen sits there with modern interior design, decorations and equipment. In the South Block, modern architecture is the motif while Shikumen is an accompaniment.
The Shikumen Building appeared in the mid-1800. In many ways, it is indeed a gateway to the fascinating history of this largest coastal city of China. In the middle of the 19th century, the uprising of the "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom" forced a large number of residents from Shanghai and its neighbouring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to take refuge in the city's foreign concessions. To meet the needs of the rapidly increasing population, "Shikumen" houses were built in the foreign concessions on an unprecedented scale. A typical "Shikumen" house is built along narrow alleys (or "long-tangs") and features a stone gate framing a black wooden front door that leads into a small enclosed courtyard. This unique architectural setting provided residents with a feeling of security in a turbulent era. However, with the development of the city, the formerly glorious Shikumen gradually faded out the historical stage as it could no longer satisfy people's demands of residence. Thus, the idea of rebuilding Shikumen buildings was launched by the developer of Shanghai Xin Tian Di in 1997. he beautifully restored old buildings also boast the latest modern facilities, such as modern M&E systems, escalators and concealed fiber-optics.
In the South Block, a shopping, entertainment and leisure complex of 25,000 square meters in the South Block opened in mid 2002. This glass wall building has a very modern atmosphere. Besides restaurants from all over the world, boutiques, fashionable ornament shops, food courts, cinemas and one-stop fitness centers provide places of leisure and entertainment for customers and tourists from home and abroad. There is also an underground car park with 220 parking spaces. The block embodies the comfortable and convenient life of the 21st century, having all conveniences such as an automatic elevator, central air-conditioner and broadband network. Its boutique keeps in pace with international fashion.
Xin Tian Di attracts the eyes of people from all over the world. Famous stars open their restaurants or shops in Xin Tian Di, which become good places for fans to communicate with their idols. Except for that, the fascinating cabaret and cellar dinning room of the French restaurant, the inspiring rock music played by the Japanese music restaurant and the folk performance of South America in the Brazilian restaurant leave people with great impressions.
Shanghai Xin Tian Di has become the best place for tourists to appreciate the history and modern life of the city, and is also a meeting place for local citizens and foreign visitors.
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