Upcoming Walks & Events

JUNE 2026

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WALK

Saturday June 6, 2pm

History of the Walled City

RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers

As Shanghai’s old walled city transforms at a breathtaking clip, it becomes all the more important to share its history, the story of one of the oldest parts of Shanghai. Remarkably, pockets of this vanished world are still standing, so come with us to discover what lies within the walls of the old Chinese city, whose history pre-dates the Concessions.

The lanes are quiet now, and yet there is still life here, the surprise of a street market; residents whose stories go back generations. Come for a look at the atmospheric winding lanes, the intricate carvings, the blending of east and west, and the richly layered histories of this special place.

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WALK

Sunday June 7, 10am

The Lanes of Avenue Joffre

RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers

Behind the glitzy façades and famous brands on Huaihai Lu lies another world, a world that has existed since this street was known as Avenue Joffre.

Leave the shoppers behind, and come with us into charming lane neighborhoods, designed by some of the city’s most talented architects, twin mansions, a rare surviving early  20^th century villa with an illustrious history, hidden Art Deco gems, and much more. Even along the bustling street, we’ll find traces of the past, from heritage food to grand apartment houses, and sidewalk jasmine vendors.

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WALK

Tuesday May 5, 2pm (public holiday)

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 Roads. But just a few steps beyond the crowds is a quiet, delightful enclave that is classic old French Concession, a warren of unexplored lanes and histories. And that’s where we’re headed.

Leaving the crowds behind, we’ll stroll some of the city’s prettiest plane-tree dappled streets, going deep into winding lanes, unearthing the layers of history that makes Shanghai, Shanghai: stunning heritage architecture, created by Chinese and Western artists, mid-century surprises, so much Art Deco, a power center, a revolutionary lair, a writer’s home. Worlds long vanished, by alive on this walk, in these buildings, on these streets. Far from the madding crowd.

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WALK

Friday June 19, 10am (public holiday)

Deep Dive: Route Ghisi (Yueyang Li)

RMB 200 members, 300 nonmembers

The Jesuits, the Catholic order founded half a millenia ago, left a profound mark on Shanghai and a rich legacy of architecture, learning, and the arts. It’s all concentrated in one enclave, on land bestowed in the 16^th century by the first Chinese convert, the brilliant scientist and mathematician Xu Guangqi. That enclave is still known as the Xu family’s land—Xujiahui.

This Saturday, we’ll visit a host of beautiful buildings that tell the story of the Jesuits in Shanghai, some landmarks, some hidden, some revitalized: the glorious Gothic St. Ignatius Church, an observatory, convent, schools, library, and orphanage, and the final resting place of Xu Guangqi.

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DAY TRIP

Saturday June 27, 9am

Jinze Ancient Town

Details to come

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BOOK CLUB

Sunday June 28, 10.30am

June Book Club: Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongsu (1940)

RMB 100 members, 200 nonmembers

“Perhaps the greatest novel written in Chinese” – C.T. Hsia

Set on the eve of the Sino-Japanese war, Fortress Besieged recounts the exuberant misadventures of the hapless hero Fang Hung-chien, who after aimlessly studying in Europe at his family’s expense returns to Shanghai armed with a bogus degree from a fake university.

On the liner back, Fang’s life becomes deeply entangled with those of two Chinese beauties – while when he does finally make it home, he obtains a teaching post at a newly established university, encounters effete pseudo-intellectuals, and falls into a marriage of disastrous proportions.

A glorious tale of love, marriage, war, calamity, disillusionment and hope, this is one of the greatest Chinese novels: combining Eastern philosophy, Western traditions, adventure, tragicomedy and satire to create a unique feast of delights.

AVAILABLE AT GARDEN BOOKS, 325 Changle Lu 长了路325号·

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