Have you ever been to incredible, hyperactive Shanghai? Are you planning on visiting in occasion of Design Shanghai 2019? Regardless of the purpose of your research, or why you ended up on My Design Agenda, we’ve got you covered! Here we welcome you with a complete Shanghai Design Guide, in hope to satiate your design thirst!
Shanghai is known to be the most hardcore destination in China. It host a global financial creed, competitively high skyscrapers and one of the greatest design events in the world. Namely Design Shanghai 2019 (go over and read our complete Event Guide). China is in fact also home to Design personalities such as Neri and Hu, who we will read more about later in this Shanghai Design Guide. But also to Liu Heung Shing, founder of the local Center of Photography, and to incredible, emerging design brands! Read and discover more on our Shanghai Design Guide!
SHANGHAI DESIGN GUIDE
WHERE TO STAY IN SHANGHAI
URBN Hotel Shanghai
URBN Hotel Shanghai is a luxurious 4-star property in Shanghai. Local tourist attractions such as Childrens Municipal Palace (Shi Shaonian Gong), Jing’an and Jing An Park are not far from the hotel. Also easily within reach are Shanghai Acrobatic Theatre, Shanghai Exhibition Center and Huai Hai Road . The hotel offers 26 comfortable and well-equipped guestrooms.
Room facilities include in-room safe. Bathroomamenities include makeup/shaving mirror. Entertainment: In-room entertainment options at URBN Hotel Shanghai include flat-screen TV. Internet connection options: Business guests will appreciate high-speed Internet access and wireless Internet access. Housekeeping services are also available.
The Puli Hotel
From the moment you enter the lobby, and throughout your stay, The PuLi Hotel and Spa will transform your expectation of luxury. As one of the first luxury urban resorts in Shanghai, The PuLi Hotel and Spa is centrally located between Nanjing West Road and YanAn Road, adjacent to the multi-use development Park Place. With 193 rooms and 36 suites, The PuLi offers 24-hour dedicated Guest Service, in-room dining, concierge, laundry and valet services, and a Michelin restaurant.
The Middle House
The Middle House adopts an Italian vision blended with a local twist and modern aesthetic to standing elegantly as the fourth hotel in The House Collective. A nod to its historic lane-house location, The Middle House name aims for many things – its blend of hotel and residences, its setting in the centre of Shanghai, and its place among Swire’s The House Collective. All come together, for a composed sense of culture.
WHERE TO EAT IN SHANGHAI
The Peacock Room
On our Shanghai Design Guide we could not miss stunningly decorated local restaurant The Peacock Room. An ambitous and modern Sichuan restaurant serving the finest of Chinese Food. The décor was is the result of Caesar Song’s work, the owner of Yu Ba Xian and Andy Hall of MQ Studios. The menu at the Peacock Room comes as set, which is well, because it forces you to try things you might not have ordered on your own. And prices are going to be around 1,000rmb per person.
Da Fu Dong at Réel Mall
Fu He Hui
Next on our list of top restaurants destinations for this Shanghai Design Guide is Da Fu Dong. Brought to our pole-position by Celebrity Chef and owner Dong Zhenxiang, well-known for his roasting techniques. Be prepared for a roasted-duck-centered menu, with a few other local items to choose from. But the presentation might be more than worth it.
Fu He Hui
Zen and vegan. This restaurant is the representation of the fact that these two are not just a food choice but a proper lifestyle. Admire the stunning and sober design. Choose one of the fized menu and appreciate the artful presentation and incredible, delicate flavor. Try one of the more old-fashioned recipes and don’t miss the chance to taste one of the renowned Chinese teas that are served at Fu He Hui and that perfectly complement the dishes.
WHERE TO SHOP IN SHANGHAI
Spin Ceramics
On your Shanghai Design Guide tor, you cannot miss Spin Ceramics. Minimal, industrial, but chic, this shop sells contemporary ceramics of amazing and innovative designs. The aesthetics weights more towards a more Japanese style but it’s fully made in China. More precisely in China’s long famous ceramics capital, Jungdezhen.
Design Republic
Founded by Neri&Hu, Design Republic is a modern design platform incorporating retail concept, design/ cultural exhibitions and educational events. Other than architectural professionals, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu have been actively involved in teaching and research. They have been invited to speak, exhibit and judge for many prestigious events and programs all over the world.
Dong Liang
Not the cheapest and most available boutique in Shanghai, but one of the most stunning indie store out there. And our Shanghai Design Guide could not spare you this! The ambience is just worth the experience. Visit the wonderful shopping center and start your shopping experience already on Floor 0. And for every roos and floor, just stop one second, pause the shopping and admire the incredible interior design.
WHAT TO SEE IN SHANGHAI
Long Museum West Bund
As world-renowned art collectors, their collection is systematically large, covering traditional Chinese art, modern and contemporary Chinese art, “red classics” as well as contemporary art of Asia and Europe. Based on their private collections, the Long Museum is devoted not only to professional art exhibitions, researches, and collections but also to the promotion of cultural education in public. It aims to take up the responsibility of propelling continuous development and inheritance of art; focuses on the contrastive display and study of art, Western and Eastern,ancient and contemporary, while strengthening its local cultural roots;presents the diversity of visual art from a global perspective; systematically showcases the splendid achievements of Chinese art as well as the vitality of contemporary art all over the world; and eventually forges itself into a world-class private museum.
Shanghai Gallery of Art
Through the gallery’s longstanding reputation, ties with major museums, art foundations, curators and critics, SGA exposes its represented artists to broader audiences, thus fostering a greater understanding of their artistic strategies and the context in which their ideas arise. For collectors and institutions, Shanghai Gallery of Art is an important resource for both consultancy and acquisitions. The gallery offers long term strategic planning for private collectors and institutions on both established and emerging artists.
Whether it is identifying new dynamics between art and the public realm, maintaining novel strategies based on contemporary art production and dissemination, or exploring uncharted framework and territory by engaging with artists, SGA is a vital part of Shanghai’s cultural community and a catalyst for new experiences.
Shanghai Center of Photography
Shanghai Center of Photography (SCôP) was founded in May 2015 by Mr Liu Heung Shing. SCôP is a non-profit organization: the first such accredited art institution dedicated to photography in China, and Shanghai’s premiere museum for the photographic medium. SCôP showcases international and Chinese photography in all its diverse applications. Here you will find the best of journalism, documentary, social history, fashion and art photography from around the world. In tandem with its curated exhibitions, SCôP offers a program of educational programs including workshops, lectures, and publications.
