A 6-day trip through Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang

Day 2: Historical scenic spots in Shanghai

Apart from must-see scenic spots, Shanghai also has numerous historical spots for guests to visit.

Duolunduo Road, known as the cultural road of Shanghai, displays the cultural customs of the city from the 1920s and '30s. The winding road, with a length of only 550 meters, was home for many famous cultural figures, including Chinese essayist and translator Lu Xun, novelist Mao Dun, author and historian Guo Moruo, writer Ye Shengtao, and Japanese social activist Uchiyama Kanzo.  

There are also many small private museums, such as the Asia's largest Ancient Coins Museum, apart from the former residences of celebrities.

Next stop is 1933 Old Millfun, a former slaughter house that has been converted into a cultural and creative hub that integrating shopping, performances and other activities. The complex consists of five poured-concrete structures, covering an area of 31,700 square meters. It has a special 1500-sq-m stage that is eight meters above ground, the center of which is made of glass.

1933 Old Millfun [Photo/VCG]

Sinan Mansions, a quiet spot in downtown Shanghai, is a 50,000-square-meter conservation zone with 51 garden houses constructed in the 1920s. It is commonly known as the "Open Air Museum" with historical buildings, ancient street lights, and cobblestone walls.

Different from the conventional museums, it can be accessible at any time and costs no cent to enter. Visitors can learn about the various structures within by scanning QR codes on building facades and listening to audio clips.

Sinan Mansions [Photo/VCG]

In the afternoon, you can visit the Moller Villa, built in the 1930s by the Jewish businessman Eric Moller for his daughter. The exquisite structures are like castles in a fairy tale world. It was listed in the first batch of the Shanghai's cultural heritage sites in 1989.

Moller Villa [Photo/IC]

Tianzifang is an old neighborhood in Lane 210 Taikang Road in Shanghai and is one of the best examples of the Shanghainese shikumen architectural style. With buildings dating back to the 1930s, it was home to numerous small factories and warehouses in the 1960s and 70s. Now it has developed into one of the city's top tourist attractions after artists began moving into the community in 19989 with hundreds of visitors weaving through its mix of boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

Tianzifang [Photo/IC]

At night, you can visit the Power Station of Art, which is known as the first State-run museum of contemporary art in China. Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, it used to be a power plant built in 1955 and was converted into the Pavilion of the Future during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

It features a 165-meter chimney, which symbolizes the changes of Shanghai from the industrial age to the information era. It also provides a host of exhibitions with various styles.