Shanghai is a dynamic city, blending history and modernity, home to countless unique shops.
From Huaihai Road M. to the alleys hidden behind Wukang and Taikang roads, small shops exude a unique atmosphere full of life.
Here are four special stores, each with interesting story. Explore more with the hashtag "漫游上海小店" on WeChat channels.
Walden Lake 瓦尔登湖
If you enjoy literature, you'll love this shop. It's not a typical bookstore, but it does have over 200 versions of "Walden Lake."
The 17-year-old store on Shaoxing Road sits in the midst of a quiet street, featuring books, coffee and vintage-style clothing.
Fiona shows one of over 200 versions of "Walden Lake" in a small shop which has the same name of the book.
A reading room in the shop
Over 200 versions of "Walden Lake" are displayed here.
Photos of customers are displayed in the shop.
The owner is a poet from Hunan Province, called Wa Jie, literally "sister of Walden." She said the store is like her "Walden Lake," bringing the city its own little Walden haven. You can also read her poems in the shop.
Opening hours: 9:30am-10pm
Address: 92 Shaoxing Rd
绍兴路92号
Yuanlong Music Bookstore 元龙音乐书店
Hidden in a residential building in an alley of Fuxing Road M., the small bookstore is just 40 square meters, but holds thousands of music books.
The name comes from its owner Tang Yuanlong, a former teacher with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Tang and his wife Wang Wujin, a former choir member, opened the bookstore in 1993.
Fiona reads a music book at Yuanlong Music Bookstore.
A corner in the bookstore
An "Exit" sign in the narrow passage of the bookstore
Looking for the bookstore is like an adventure – turn into a narrow alley, find the entrance next to the back door, and walk through a narrow passage. You'll find the old bookshelves with rows of various sheet music and all kinds of music books.
Like a symphony orchestra waiting for a conductor, the old store is waiting for music lovers.
Opening hours: 9am-5pm
Address: Rm 101, No. 19, Lane 1350, Fuxing Rd M.
复兴中路1350弄19号101室
Kashmir Soul 波斯宝藏馆
The owner, Huzaif Panzoo, is a young man from Kashmir, South Asia. His family has been producing and selling handmade scarves and carpets for generations. He said he decided to stay in Shanghai to open a small shop because of a girl whose name is Annie.
Fiona shows an embroidered scarf at Kashmir Soul.
Nine years ago, she traveled to Kashmir and met Panzoo, who ran a shop selling handmade scarves and Persian carpets. They fell in love at first sight. The young man proclaimed, "I will go to China, to your city to open a shop. I will marry you, and spend the rest of my life with you."
Panzoo quickly kept his promise, and his little shop on Taikang Road became their happy pasture.
Embroidered scarves and silk carpets are displayed in the shop.
Apart from their love story, the shop also offers exquisite embroidered scarves and silk carpets – over 10,000 different types to choose from.
Opening hours: 10:30am-9pm
Address: 240 Taikang Rd
泰康路240号
House of Blues & Jazz
As one of the city's most famous jazz bars, the House of Blues & Jazz was founded by actor and painter Lin Dongfu, who's also a French Literature and Art Knight Medal recipient.
The bar moved four times in the past 28 years before finally being located at the historic building next to the Bund.
Fiona poses on the stage at the House of Blues & Jazz.
A corner of the bar
The over-100-year-old fire hydrant is a symbol of the bar.
In the evening, you might meet Lin, who always wears a top hat.
The bar offers dinner and drinks. Jazz bands perform from Tuesday through Sunday, with a ticket priced at 50 yuan (US$6.96).
Opening hours: 5pm-2am
Address: 60 Fuzhou Rd
福州路60号