The Dongjiadu Ferry Pier is marked by a weathered, utilitarian metal gangway that descends directly into the murky churn of the Huangpu River. For decades, this crossing served as a vital artery for bicycle commuters traveling between the…
Dongjiadu Tailors and Churches
Walk through Shanghai's oldest waterfront quarter to experience its vanishing working-class history, deep-rooted custom tailoring heritage, and historic religious landmarks.
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1. Dongjiadu Ferry Pier
2. St. Francis Xavier Church
The two tall, octagonal spires rising above the gray roofline belong to St. Francis Xavier Church. Built in eighteen sixty-eight, the structure served the needs of the French Jesuit mission in Shanghai. During the early twentieth century,…
3. Dongjiadu Road
The Catholic Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier anchors Dongjiadu Road with its twin yellow brick steeples and tall, arched windows. Built in eighteen fifty-three, this structure once served as the primary gathering place for the Jesuit…
4. Fabric Market
The South Bund Soft Goods Material Market occupies an unassuming four-story concrete building distinguished by rows of narrow, slightly cluttered storefronts packed with hanging rolls of wool, silk, and cashmere. Before it became a…
5. Xiaonanmen Alarm Tower
The Xiaonanmen Alarm Tower is a slender, octagonal brick structure that looms over the neighborhood with a distinct resemblance to a lighthouse. Built in nineteen oh nine, it served as a fire lookout tower for the local volunteer brigade.…
6. 梓园
The stone archway of Zi Yuan, or the Garden of Catalpa, stands out with its intricate brick carvings that have survived a century of urban growth in Shanghai. Built in nineteen twenty-two for the wealthy businessman Wang Yiting, the…