Tianzifang - alleyways of cool

Tianzifang (田子坊) is a popular shopping district, full of boutique stores and bars. It consists of a network of alleyways and small houses that have been converted into inviting shops full of jewellery, clothing, leatherwork, mementos, local delicacies and some genuinely world-class art works.

One of my favourite shops consists of all manner of photos from around old Shanghai, especially of places that have disappeared now in new developments. There is also a small studio and shop run by one of Shanghai's leading modern practitioners of the traditional folk-art, paper-cuts.

People flock to Tianzifang, especially at dusk, just to enjoy browsing and promenading, and to gaze at these cool alleys.