It’s hard to not be impressed by the beautiful shíkùmén architecture of Zhāng Garden, down Taixing Rd, off West Nanjing Rd and west of Shimen No 1 Rd. What you see in Zhang Garden today – mainly shíkùmén housing, a mix of two- and three-bay villas with tall entrance-ways, handsome windows and hanging balcony pavilions – is merely a small portion of its former site. What survives is a sign of the wealth of its former pre-1949 occupants.
Formerly known as Arcadia Hall, the site was first built in 1878 by a European merchant as a fairground for foreigners. It was then acquired in 1882 by Zhang Shuhe, a wealthy Wuxi businessman, who later opened it to the public. There was a huge garden, a dance hall, meeting rooms, a theatre for Chinese opera, a photography studio, a teahouse and restaurants. It later served as a location for political meetings and rallies against the Qing government. Formerly known as Arcadia Hall, the site was first built in 1878 by a European merchant as a fairground for foreigners. It was then acquired in 1882 by Zhang Shuhe, a wealthy Wuxi businessman, who later opened it to the public. There was a huge garden, a dance hall, meeting rooms, a theatre for Chinese opera, a photography studio, a teahouse and restaurants. It later served as a location for political meetings and rallies against the Qing government.
Today, a single shíkùmén villa can house 20 to even 40 families, a mix of Shanghainese residents and migrant families from neighboring provinces. It's easy to get lost in the alleys but no worries, you'll find your way back to the main boulevard eventually.
