Shanghai stands at the front of China's push into today's modern world. Shanghai is also a cultural center for China not only because of its modernity but because of its long and varied history. Examples of its varied culture are its Haipai Culture, Shikumen Culture, Jewish Culture, the French Concession Culture and Shanghai Antique Culture.
Haipai Culture refers to traditional Chinese culture and combined with Wu culture, Yue culture and aspects of western culture.
Before 1843 when Shanghai was not an open port, Shanghai culture was principally influenced by Wu and Yue Culture, which are the traditional culture and the roots of the Haipai Culture.
From 1843-1949, Shanghai hosted an influx migrants from western countries. The military, business people, government officials and others settled in Shanghai and influenced the traditional thinking of the residents. Western style buildings were built, big theaters and malls found way to Shanghai and literature saw its heyday at this time.
After the liberation in 1949, the culture center of China became Beijing as it became the capital of the country, and through the period of Culture Revolutionary, Haipai Culture encountered heavy pressure.
Haipai Culture opened a new page after the reform movement and China’s opening Open to the outside world. Shanghai again became the cultural center for East meeting West. Haipai culture has continued to evolve as new Chinese and western influences make there way into today’s modern Shanghai.
Haipai Culture is depicted in many aspects. Literature is a major part of Haipai Culture and Duolun Road represents it best. Though it is a short, narrow street, it has many stories to tell and was once the home of literary masters. The street is home to many sculptures of these literary heroes. It has become a must-visit place for travelers with a passion for literary history.
The Bund has been and continues to be a melting pot with in large theaters, varied cuisines and combining western style and Chinese cultural display in many ways. It is not something travelers can always see and touch but something people need to feel and live it out. Even a corner speaks Haipai Culture in Shanghai.
Shikumen is expressed in Shanghai’s unique style in old residential buildings. Most of the old alleys in Shanghai are examples of Shikumen buildings. Called Jiangnan, the doorframes are made from stone with solid wood for the door panels. The name "Shikumen" means "The Gate frame by the Stone". The most elegant part of the building is the design of the door header which often combines western and traditional Jiangnan decoration. The cultural aspect is listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Shikumen buildings were first built in 1870’s during the period of the Revolutionary War of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851-1864). Many rich businessmen and officials from Jiangnan area fled to Shanghai. The buildings were built for these people in Jiangnan style. They were known as traditional Shikumen buildings and had 3-5 rooms. Though most Shikumen were located in the city center, the design and the thick door made the whole building quiet, adding its popularity among rich people.
After 1910, Shikumen buildings saw the first changes. This is now called as new style Shikumen. It is no longer had 3-5 rooms, but only 1 or 2 rooms. The biggest change was to the door header decoration. Traditional Shikumen was decorated in a traditional Chinese style but the new style was mixed with western elements. The new Shikumen was simpler with western decoration.
During 1930’s, with the development of new-style alleys and gardenlike alleys in Shanghai, Shikumen started to lose its charm and became the hub of less a savory environment. However, in the last 15 years the Shikumen has become trendy among locals. The exterior design has been keep while the interiors have been changed to suit the requirements of today’s modern world.
Shikumen buildings were most popular during 1920’s, accounting for 3/4 of local residences. Today about 40% of local Shanghai people live in Shikumen. The major areas are in Huangpu District, Luwan District and Jing'an District.
Tianzifang and Xintiandi are now the most popular and best places to see this kind of buildings and travelers can also enjoy other interesting activities at the same time.
The French Concession Culture refers mainly to the building culture of the French Concession. The French Concession was one of the 2 concessions in Shanghai. The other is the Public Concession which was established when Shanghai port opened in 1849.
It consists of 240 streets where in the 1920’s the best residences in Shanghai were located. Though to Chinese people it is a history of humiliation, it introduced developed civilization and modern concepts to China and still has its value in today’s China.
In 1849, the French Concession was established between Shanghai suburbs and Shanghai English Concession. In July of 1854, the French, England and USA set up the Union Concession but in 1862 the French Concession sought independence when at the same time all concessions claimed neutrality. In 1945, Chinese government completed the legal proceedings to recover the French Concession.
The area of the French Concession ranged from Yan’an Dong Road, the north Renmin Road and Longtan Road, the east of Xizang Road to Huangpu River. The French concession experienced 3 expansions. It came to include Chongqing Zhong Road and the area from the west of Chongqing Nan Road to Xujiahui District. These new areas were known as new French Concession or West Zone.
It was stipulated in 1900 that all buildings in the concession were to be of western decoration. Even Chinese style buildings should have a western exterior. In 1938, another new standard was introduced - only stand-alone houses or duplexes were allowed to be built in the concession. These regulations contributed to the French Concession being the best residences in Shanghai in 1920’s when there were 432 buildings for Europeans. Construction of houses did not stop until the 1940’s.
In today’s Shanghai, the buildings in the French Concession have become a culture to appreciate. Tree-lined avenues and beautiful western style buildings with gardens make a romantic walk in the afternoon.
The most representative area is concentrated in Hengshan Road, Huaihai Road, Wukang Road and Sinan Road. Tianzifang, the Grand Theater and Okura Garden Hotel are also remarkable sites.
Jewish culture in Shanghai has become a popular among many foreign travelers. Many Jewish people fled to Shanghai between WW1 & WW 2 to make a home and at the same time left their mark on Shanghai in the form of parks, buildings, memorial halls, museums, schools and burial grounds. It is estimated 25,000 Jewish people moved to Shanghai, which is more than the total of all Jewish people that fled to Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and India during the period.
In 1845, the famous Sephardic Jewish Businessman David Sassoon established David Sassoon & Co. in Shanghai, together with the opening of its branches in Hong Kong and Canton. With this commenced the immigration of Jews to Shanghai.
As persecution of Jews increased in Europe between the wars, Shanghai became a popular destination as no was visas for foreigners in the French Concessions in Shanghai at that time. Under such circumstances Jews from Middle and Eastern Europe fled to Shanghai.
Jewish settlers in Shanghai gathered principally in the Zhoushan and Huoshan Roads in the Hongkou District which were part of the conjunction of the Public Concession and the French Concession. This was cheap area. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) established a branch in Shanghai and helped many Jewish refugees. Many locals also gave a hand to these newcomers.
The settlers began to open schools for their children, shops, parks, theaters and even dancing halls. By 1917, they had their own place of worship—Moses Hall which now is a famous historic site. Jewish businessmen gave the area known as "Small Vienna" a thriving economy. Jewish culture to some extent influenced Haipai Culture.
The majority of Jewish population left Shanghai during 1948-1949 and there were few Jewish people in Shanghai after 1950, indicating this special chapter had come to a close. Since the 1980’s, many Jews who had once lived in Shanghai returned to remember those days. It has become an essential part of a tour for Jewish visitors to Shanghai.
Jewish people left many historic sites in Hongkou District and most in close proximity to each other. They are Moses Hall, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, Huoshan Park, the Former Site of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Shanghai and the Former Site of Jewish Refugee Camp.
Shanghai’s antique culture has become a special not only locally but throughout China. It is expressed in the number of variety of Antiques available.
Shanghai antique culture started in late Qing Dynasty and developed during 1927-1936 when Beijing and Shanghai became the main cargo hub for goods from different places in the world.
Most antiques were concentrated in the different concessions and saw its heyday during that period when many emigrants including rich businessmen, officials and foreigners flooded into Shanghai.
Antique markets vary from the Qing Dynasty to Today’s Shanghai. At first it was just few stalls at the Temple of City God. At the same time, tea houses were also popular places as antique markets and were often places where trade fairs for antiques were held.
In 1930’s, Wuma Road (now Guangdong Road) became the center for up to 210 antique stores. There were also almost 100 antique stalls. Today the area around Dongtai Road and Hongkou District is the center of the antique trade.
Dongtai Road, Yunzhou Antique Market, Zhongfu Antique Market and Cangbao Building (Treasure Gallery) are the most famous places to buy antiques or experience the antique culture in Shanghai.
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