Walks & Events
MAY EVENTS
To register for an event, click here.
May Holiday Weekend (May 1-4)
Thursday May 1, 2pm /LABOR DAY WALK: Industrial Heritage Along the Suzhou Creek /RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers
May 1 is Labor Day, when we celebrate the (very deserving!) workers of the world. That makes it the perfect time for a walk through the story of Shanghai’s industrial history, all the more enticing when it’s a springtime stroll along the prettily landscaped paths edging the Suzhou Creek with a devastatingly rich history.
The workers who toiled in these riverside warehouses and factories were the engine that fueled Shanghai’s growth, and the legendary fortunes–including underworld ones—that were made here. Join us as we explore the stories and surprises in this hard-working, picturesque part of town: from the revived warehouses and factories, to historic bridges, the ghosts of lanes and much more.
NEW Saturday May 3, 10am /IN THE SHADOW OF THE NORMANDIE /RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers
Every day, crowds gather at the Normandie, the cruise-ship shaped building that dominates the corner of Huaihai and Wukang. But just a few steps behind the crowds, you’ll find a quiet enclave that is classic old French Concession, a warren of unexplored lanes and histories. And that’s where we’re headed.
Leaving the holiday crowds behind, we’ll stroll some of the city’s prettiest plane-tree dappled streets, going deep into the winding lanes, unearthing the layers of history that makes Shanghai Shanghai: stunning heritage architecture—created by Chinese and Western architects—mid-century surprises, so much Art Deco, a power center, a revolutionary lair, a writer’s home. Worlds long vanished, but alive on this walk, in these buildings, on these streets.
Sunday May 4, 1pm /SPIRIT OF MAY FOURTH: Lu Xun & the Writers of Hongkou /RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers
Join us for a walk through the spirit of May Fourth in charming Hongkou, as we share the story of a groundbreaking early 20th century movement that changed China, and the May Fourth writers who fomented a literary revolution.
The May Fourth Movement was an intellectual turning point for China, an awakening that sought to create a new, modern Chinese culture, spearheaded by Mr Science and Mr Democracy.
Shanghai, with its booming publishing industry, was a major center for this intellectual ferment, and our walk will take us through its literary legacy: from Lu Xun, the literary giant who was the most influential May Fourth writer, with his scathing critiques of traditional society, to the editors of journals, publishers, bookstore owners, the men and women who created a brave new world of literature.
We’ll visit the lanes and houses where they lived, a museum to their work, the bookstores and landscapes that inspired them, and hear their stories, and the story of this movement whose ideas set them on the path to revolution and shaped the following century.
Saturday May 10, 2pm/DEEP DIVE: Route de Grouchy (Yanqing Lu) /RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers
Route de Grouchy (Yanqing Road) in the former French Concession is a small, remarkably well-preserved street, whose lanes reveal some of the city’s most delectable surprises: stately, sprawling mansions, like Henry Cumine’s 16-room mansion (with a stunning marble staircase and a rich, layered history); a Russian enclave and a flourishing night garden; charming Art Deco apartments and neoclassical delights, and oh, the stories of the people who lived here! The Shanghai tycoons, jazz musicians, journalists, emigres, so much history, so many stories in just one Shanghai street.
NEW Saturday May 17, 2pm/HUAIHAI LU & Inside the Twin Villas ~ pricing TBC, members only
An exclusive Historic Shanghai private tour inside one of the city’s genuinely hidden gems, the “Twin Villas”. Gently restored, it is now home to L’École, Van Cleef & Arpels school of jewelry arts. We’ll also get a tour of their recently-opened exhibition of historic jewelry from the Comédie Française. Stay tuned for details.
Saturday May 25, 10am/MAY BOOK CLUB: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen /RMB 100 members, 200 nonmembers Author Karissa Chen will Zoom in for our discussion
Sunday May 31-June 1/WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM ~ Save the Date
Join us for a weekend at the Six Arts Museum, China’s largest and coolest folk art museum (yes, we’re staying there, too!). Founder Mitch Dudek’s vision is for guests to be fully immersed in the art and atmosphere through all their senses, and that’s what we’ll do.
Highlights include:
- Guided tours of the 16 galleries and 40,000 art and antiques from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (plus plenty of time to explore the museum on both days, and talk to curators and the founder).
- Staying at the Six Arts Hotel, each room decorated with antiques and folk art, and surrounded by gardens
- Visiting charming Lili Ancient Town, one of the most authentic—and least known—water towns in the region.
- Delicious cuisine at the Six Arts Fortune restaurant
Details to come
TO REGISTER FOR AN EVENT:Scan the QR code below or click this link.
You can also email info@historic-shanghai.com
CANCELLATION POLICY: https://www.historic-shanghai.com/faq
CANCELLATION POLICY: https://www.historic-shanghai.com/faq
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