Duolun Street in Shanghai was originally constructed in the early 20th century and went by the name of a long forgotten British missionary. It came into its own in the 1920s and 30s when the writer Lu Xun and other progressive writers of the time like Mao Dun, Guo Moruo and Ding Ling moved into the area gathering other similar literary types around them making the street a cultural and literary centre. Doulun Street was opened to the public as Culture Street in 1998 and is the place that people come to, to find links with China’s pre revolutionary cultural scene. Located north of the Bund the once lavish homes and shops in this 8 km stretch have been refurbished and cars have been banned so that it is now a lovely pedestrian area of bookshops, tea houses, antique shops, galleries and historic homes. The Duolun Museum of Modern Art is there as is a 1920s Christian church with upturned eaves, the old film café that shows Chinese movies of the 1920s and 30s, the League of Leftist Writers Museum with the hall where the league was founded restored to its original condition and a mid 1920s mansion of a fabulously wealthy Shanghai entrepreneur are all in the neighbourhood.
The street is also famous for a variety of architectural styles ranging from Islamic to French Neo Classical to traditional Chinese styles and a fusion of eastern and western styles typical of the 1920s and 30s. Life size bronze statues of individuals who contributed to the areas heritage are found everywhere in all kinds of poses as if they are participating in the life going on around them. An outdoor museum of sorts, it is an interesting place to spend some time learning about Shanghai’s literary roots away from the tourist hordes.
Stay at the 88 Xintiandi Shanghai to enjoy a unique location amidst a thriving shopping, dining and entertainment district just outside Shanghai with easy access to the city. The well-appointed studio, one and two bedroom suites offer some of the most contemporary and comfortable residences in Shanghai, a boon to modern travelers looking for longer stays and a place to unwind. Guests at this Shanghai boutique hotel find this an excellent place from which to explore the big city.