Tianzifang

If I was lustful for traffic or had travel influencer aspirations I suppose I would write more articles like “The Ten Best Things to Do in Shanghai.” And if I did, the tourist trap Tianzifang near the French Concession would make the list.

I first wandered this little maze of shops and restaurants when I visited my brother back in 2011. I enjoyed it then and still do now that I live mere blocks away. It’d been awhile since I’d been, so when I was walking down Jianguo today, I ducked in to grab a coffee and wind around its alleyways. Tianzifang is overcrowded and half the shops sell cheap trinkets and tacky souvenirs, but that doesn’t mean it’s not charming. And you can find some great stuff if you have the time and patience.