Recently, a “Thai-style block” has been discovered in the alleys of Shanghai. With lush greenery, a swimming pool, and an open-style layout, the “Chiang Mai Street” is a fantastic place to explore!
Super popular restaurants, bars, and cafes offer the perfect combination of photo opportunities and check-ins. Sisters, come and explore!
Shanghai’s “Chiang Mai Street”
A “Chiang Mai Street” has unexpectedly appeared in downtown Shanghai?!
A row of open-style storefronts, white brick walls adorned with green plants, and dappled sunlight… This highly atmospheric “Thai-style block” is the perfect place to chill and relax, even if you’re just strolling around. Plus, it’s not crowded on weekdays, making it the ideal spot to visit with your friends!
When visiting Shanghai’s “Chiang Mai Street,” there are only 3 things to do!
1.Go to the popular check-in spots and take 100 photos
The recently viral “swimming pool” check-in photos on social media were taken right here. The mottled cement walls, the blue shallow pool, the walls covered with green plants and tropical ferns… along with various abandoned appliances, bicycles, and car door panels, create a complete Thai wasteland style that’s perfect for photos.
Apart from this location, the entire block is filled with picturesque check-in spots: mirror chairs by the wall, a glass window flower shop, mats beside the restaurant’s pool… The inherent sense of relaxation is unbeatable!
2.The “top two on the must-pull list” are both here
Last time, I introduced you to the laser mirror-style restroom on the “worth pulling list.” In this “Thai-style block,” there are two more super cool restrooms that made the list.
“In Shanghai, some doors shouldn’t be casually pushed open.” This small wooden door opens to an “artistic prison-style” restroom with a massive space, including a bed, mirror, sink, and screen. The other restroom is inside the neighboring cafe, featuring a colorful light bulb clock. For a moment, you can’t tell if you’re really going to the restroom or wandering through an exhibition in your dreams.
3.Super popular restaurants + bars + cafes
The block isn’t large, but there’s no shortage of food. Super popular Taiwanese restaurants, highly atmospheric bars, and American-style ruined cafes… Whether you’re looking for a full meal, afternoon tea, or a slight buzz, you can satisfy all your needs in one stop.
6 “Super Fun Small Shops”
This block is not big, with shops mainly distributed on both sides of the main road. The open-style areas on the first floor are all restaurants, bars, and afternoon tea spots, while the upper floors house studios and offices. Let me give you a brief introduction to a few fun small shops. Go check them out right away!
Xia Duo Shi Er Lan
Several shops here are under the Xia Duo brand. The first one, “Xia Duo Shi Er Lan,” is mainly a bakery with a wooden tone and a fresh, artistic vibe. It has bread cabinets and cookie racks with a wide variety of options. The side is semi-open, facing a flower shop, and you can sit and relax in the small alley.
BARQUE Ba Kou Restaurant & Bar
The second shop is a popular bar where the slightly dim lighting can’t hide the owner’s good taste. The shop is spacious, with a strong sense of space. Various bamboo and wooden tables and chairs are paired with green plants, creating a charming and lazy atmosphere.
Walking past the entrance, you’ll feel the open and relaxed vibe. Step inside, and you’ll discover the attention to detail: the pendant lights, mirrors, and table lamps placed on the dining tables are all highly attractive.
Sunday’s Light Bulb Exchange
This is a highly popular Taiwanese restaurant that was once all the rage. It should be the largest shop in the entire block, not only suitable for dining but also a great place for friends to gather and relax, with a strong retro and nostalgic atmosphere.
Recommended dishes: Taiwanese braised pork rice, sausage wrapped in sticky rice sausage, salt and pepper chicken
The store occasionally arranges movie nights, with the current month’s movie poster displayed at the entrance. Delicious food, great shows, and wonderful nights, all here.
Polly
Across from Sunday’s is their coffee shop Polly, which has also recently gained popularity. With its dim, ruined decor, pterodactyl wings, David statue, movie screen, and two-story loft design, the first floor even has an archway and stage steps. The open-style side door adds to the rich layers, making it suitable for both work and relaxation.
Read a book, listen to music, sip coffee, and enjoy the occasional sunlight peeking through the small window overhead. The atmosphere is just right, lazy and undisturbed, as if you’re on vacation.
Brook&Breeze
This is a bicycle shop that both pet lovers and cycling enthusiasts will adore. The bikes here can carry furry friends and are widely popular.
In addition to pet-friendly bicycles, they also offer bicycle accessories, modified bicycles, bicycle rentals, and more. For cycling enthusiasts, this place is a spiritual home.
TangoCool Shanghai
The easiest shop to miss, with a storefront featuring Wes Anderson-style colors, is an Argentine tango store. You need to walk up the graffiti stairs to see this dance studio.
This studio has a strong Latin American style, making it hard to tell if it’s a studio or an exhibition hall. The instructors here are dancers from Argentina with solid professional skills. Interested folks can come and experience it.
3.Super Fun “Thai-style Block”
Finally, let’s reveal that this mysterious “Thai-style block” is actually the historically significant “Pan-Thai Building.” 30 years ago, it was Shanghai Toy Factory No. 9.
Now, it’s hidden on Yan’an West Road, becoming a retro and creative block that’s fun to explore. Recently, it has gained popularity for its Thai street style and is really super fun to visit. You’re not allowed to not know about it~
Do you know any other blocks in Shanghai with distinctive styles?
Feel free to recommend them to us in the comments section~
