Finding Creativity in Shanghai – A Shopper’s Guide

Sometimes you just feel creative. You want to find art supplies, or handcrafts or even just a unique place to inspire your creativity and give you that little push to end your writer’s block and spark your creative juices. Here are a few of the best places in Shanghai for a creative soul longing for originality.

Tai Kang Road. This revamped hutong area has been converted into a shopping and eating arena that is so perfectly creative and original that you’ll feel you could be in Paris or New York, though with distinct Chinese characteristics. The converted hutong (a family home linked to other homes by winding pathways and arches with miniature gardens in between) is a real delight to visit. You’ll find soft outdoor lighting, a maze of tiny paths leading to a range of creative stores from handicrafts made locally to blown glass, silver objects, clothing and even high-end ice cream made locally and a wide range of ethnic and international foods.

Da Gu Road. This pleasant little street houses a range of fun shops and creative locations. You’ll find a tiny park, although it may be small it offers a great deal in terms of creative layout and high-impact natural features like a waterfall and a moss-covered walkway. You’ll even find the site of the first communist people’s conference near the park. On Da Gu Road itself, you’ll find DVD shops, great eateries like Papa Mario’s Italian and Hayas Mediterranean.

The French Concession. If you’d like to find a fun place for a stroll, check out the French Concession. This place offers tree-lines streets ready for any stroller or leisurely walk. You’ll find comfortable and creative shops that range from clothing to Tibetan goods to home-made bakery shops and crape shops. You’ll find a few interesting bars and pubs complete with outdoor seating that will really inspire your creativity, like Sasha’s and O’Malleys.