Tianzifang The Art Culture Market In Shanghai China

After we dropped our friend at the train station, my friend Yin said, “I will bring you to Tianzifang, my favourite place in Shanghai,“. It was my first afternoon in Shanghai. I was curious. Seven years of befriending her, I had never heard of this favourite spot of hers before.

We took the subway and got down somewhere. It was a hectic hour, and the subway had all the rainbow colour tags. I didn’t bother to learn the map as I was with a local, born and bred.

Tianzifang: Shanghai Art and Culture Market

We walked up and were greeted by a small crowded lane. The narrow lane, with a couple of stores, turned out to be the entrance to a maze of stores, restaurants, arts, and even a bubble tea stall, all combined in one place.

That moment Tianzifang became a favourite of mine too.

I couldn’t stop squealing with delight over the small stores selling cute stuff. I kept asking my friend what was this and what was that and telling her I wanted that, this and more.

Tianzifang had so much cuteness combined!

I had a minor shopping spree. I bought postcards, friendship bracelets, and tea. My friend had to step in and stop me. She sensed that it was time to rescue my RMB. It was still my first day, and I had nine more days to live with my foreign currency.

She suggested we go to a coffee shop and chill out a bit. I was torn. I couldn’t believe this place also had a coffee shop! And yes, I wanted very much to try it, but, on the other hand, leaving all that cute stuff?? So, finally, I followed her after I made her agree to let me shop later.

Kommune at Tianzifang Shanghai China

We walked into smaller lanes, passing a few coffee shops,  before entering Kommune.

Where I came from, Communism was not necessarily celebrated, and for a moment there, I felt a little politically incorrect. But after a while, sipping coffee from a communist-themed coffee shop in the city that claimed to be the birthplace of Communism felt like the coolest thing to do.

Tianzifang was a feast for the soul, though not so much for the wallet.

I went there again before I flew home, this time alone. I took my sweet time going in and out of the stores and spending way too much RMB again before leaving to dine spicy Chinese food for the day.

When you are in Shanghai, visit Tianzifang to shop, have coffee, hang out with friends and try the tasty Asian street food. It’s one of the best ways to get some hipster culture experience in China.

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