Shanghai: For the Art-Loving Parent

I was amazed to see how European Shanghai was in its offering of quaint neighborhoods with cafes, pedestrian streets and boutiques (see: XinTianDi and TaiKang Road). But the one neighborhood that is off the beaten track and completely stole my heart is Moganshan Lu, or the art gallery district, where contemporary Chinese artists exhibit their work. About a 25 minute cab from the city center and 30 RMB, it was the furthest we ventured from our hotel. Karam and I spent hours (well ok, he slept) on a quiet Monday afternoon strolling through 100′s of galleries (literally), feasting on a mix of media, themes and influences in art. It really gives you a sense for the pulse of the country, outside of the usual propaganda.

The beauty of Moganshan Lu is that it is totally under the radar, set in former warehouses, giving it a totally arty and edgy feel. The only downside is that some galleries are on the second and third floors of buildings with no elevators but you can still see about 70% of the studios with a pram. When you are done with your viewing and purchasing, grab a coffee at one of the quaint little cafes in the main square. Aaah.. delightful!

Note: some galleries are closed on Mondays, so try to go another day of the week.