Xintiandi (新天地)

New Heaven and Earth in Shanghai

Xintiandi is a pedestrian street and mall composed of an area of restored traditional shikumen ("stone gate") houses on narrow alleys, a modern shopping mall with a cinema complex, and some adjoining houses which now serve as book stores, cafes and restaurants. Most of the cafes and restaurants feature both indoor and outdoor seating. Xintiandi has an active nightlife on weekdays as well as weekends, though romantic settings are more common than loud music and dance places. Xintiandi means "New Heaven and Earth". Xintiandi is near the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party of China and its small museum.

The area was developed by Hong Kong real estate companies during the re-development of the surrounding area, when similar shikumen houses were demolished wholesale. The houses in Xintiandi were then restored, and now house an art gallery, cafes, and restaurants. The marketing of xintiandi is mainly targeted towards overseas visitors, especially visitors from Hong Kong, who seek to experience the romanticized atmosphere of old Shanghai. As a result, prices in this area are high, even by international standards. Eating or shopping in this area is seen as a status symbol by affluent local residents. In 2001 when it opened the area was almost exclusively for tourists and expatriates but as Shanghai resident incomes have continued to rise, the area has become a destination for locals as well.