Exploring Shanghai’s Creative Culture

Story and photos by Melissa Chien

I’ve heard from many that Shanghai was just like New York City – crowded, irreverent attitudes, pretentious, decadent, and, above all, alive. For me, having lived here my entire life, what defines NYC is its art, music, and overall creative culture. So, naturally, what I wondered most about Shanghai was – what was the art/music scene like?

Now, Shanghai isn’t considered a creative mecca by any means, especially given all the counterfeit items that China as a country produces and its logic-oriented education. However, if the arts are what interest you, or if you want a reprieve from overly crowded areas, or if you just want something offbeat, check out these following noteworthy places:

The French Concession is the perfect place to wander and get lost on a sunny afternoon. From its history of French rule, the area has a distinct European feel with its architecture and sycamore tree-lined streets. A quaint community that is comprised of both artisans and locals, the French Concession gives you a refuge from the cacophony of urban Shanghai. A favorite of the area is the trendy Taikang Road. Filled with fashion boutiques and coffee aromas from the many cafes, Tianzifang is the highlight of Taikang Road, and is best described as an art commune and the hipster little sister of tourist mecca Xintiandi. With its labyrinthine streets featuring art galleries, quirky shops, and quaint restaurants, Tianzifang is an essential offbeat destination for finding unique souvenirs.

Drinks shop in Tianzifang

A quaint community that is comprised of both artisans and locals, the French Concession gives you a refuge from the cacophony of urban Shanghai.

As the counterpart to Beijing’s famous 798 Arts District, Moganshan is the place to see up-and-coming contemporary artists in Shanghai. As a collection of warehouses, this is home to the studios and galleries of the city’s top artists, photographers, and filmmakers. The amount of galleries located here is an art lover’s dream, sufficient to keep you busy for a whole day. Galleries that cannot be missed are ShanghART and Eastlink.

For those interested in music, check out concerts at Yuyintang and Mao Live House. Yuyintang is a staple of Shanghai’s underground music scene, attracting both locals and expats alike. Shows featured here are a mix of up-and-coming indie Chinese bands, national rock heroes like Carsick Cars and New Pants, as well as other international acts.

Located in the French Concession, Mao Livehouse’s offers a more diverse music offering such as pop, rock, raves, and electronic events. Mao’s larger, multi-tiered venue design also allows them to host artists that are considerably reputable in comparison to other locations, such as Andrew Bird and Yuksek, who performed in the past year. The venue has what is considered to be the “best live music sound system” in Shanghai.

“For me, the arts are an essential part of getting an authentic cultural experience.”

Shanghai’s architectural and commercial feats are often praised, but an underrated part of must sees in Shanghai is the burgeoning art scene which underscore Shanghai as a representation of modern China.