Shikumen Buildings

Shikumen are unique Shanghai lane houses that blend Western terrace structures with traditional Jiangnan courtyard layouts, marked by their distinctive stone-framed gateways. For shikumen buildings, visit:

• Xintiandi, an area of old shikumen houses in the former French Concession, redeveloped with shopping malls, trendy bars and restaurants, and a lot of tourism.
• Tianzifang, another area of shikumen housing that has been redeveloped. It is newer than Xintiandi and emphasizes arts, crafts and boutique shopping where Xintiandi stresses brand-name goods and entertainment.