Description

Ramble about the Shikumen Lilong Residencies
Experience the Shikumen Everyday Life
Document the Shikumen Architectural Styles

40 Shikumen Lilong Travel Guide
120 Images of Shikumen Lilong
Architecture and Daily Life
400 Shikumen Lilong Directory

Interesting peek into the lilong life.

A little peak into local Shanghai architecture, for the winner of the local history sweepstake.

Thank you so much, BaiLong! I've taken a quick look through at the lovely photos. I look forward to sitting with a cup of tea and leisurely getting to know your area.

Thanks for the pretty postcard, too!

I loved this look at homes in Shanghai arranged in lanes (Lilong), which seem to form self-contained little neighborhoods. The architecture is fascinating, as are the interior shots and the people (a newly-married couple; western tourists, locals playing cards, etc.) They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that is certainly true for this book! Mostly photos, with brief explanatory text and captions, the photos speak for themselves.

Sadly, it seems to be a disappearing way of life, as I read on the internet that many of these older residences have been destroyed and people are moving into more modern (yet impersonal) housing.

It’s a fascinating look into a city I’ll probably never get to visit. ☹ Wonderful photos!

[Shikumen (石库门), or translated as “stone gate”, is a style of housing unique to Shanghai that blends Chinese and Western structural styles. Shikumen houses are two or three-story townhouses, with the front yard protected by a high brick wall. The entrance to each alley is usually surmounted by a stylistic stone arch. The influences could be found in everything from intricate carvings in wooden doors, stone archways and door steps.]

Thank you again for sharing, BaiLong!

Added to thegoaliegirl's Travel Narrative Bookbox.

A quick little read, with lots of excellent photographs. I had heard about this kind of traditional Chinese architecture, but didn't know much about it. Wonderful photos, especially useful that you see the housing inside and out. Makes you want to visit Shanghai, and helps show a little something about the city's culture. (Also makes me realize how many movie scenes are filmed in this kind of neighborhood.)

I've visited Beijing and Hang zhou but have never been to Shanghai. This book is fascinating. I always enjoy looking and taking pictures of different styles of houses while traveling, but this one takes me further in, stepping through the doors and seeing how people lives. Also lets me admire the architecture of some old buildings.

Also, this small book will be great for me to release at the 2018 BC convention in Bordeaux. It would be neat too as I think BaiLong, who starts this book, is from France?

Hi! How wonderful you've found one of my books! Thank you so much for checking out the journal. I would really appreciate if you can take a moment to let me know you have it now. Trust me, it'll totally make my day to hear from one of my "wild" books.

Bookcrossing is a wonderful online community of book lovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. We are also curious to see how far and wide our books can travel. I would appreciate if you can make a journal entry on this book so we know where the book has been. You don't have to set up an account.

Feel free to keep this book, return it to where you found it, or pass it on to the next reader. If you sign up as a member, you will hear from the book as it travels and gets journaled. Feel free to explore the BookCrossing site, and visit our forum to meet other booklovers. Membership is confidential, free, and spam-free. Happy reading!

Couldn't resist this... :-)

What a lovely book - about architecture that's slowly disappearing. I read that Shikumen style housing once comprised about 65% housing stock in Shanghai.
(Can't get enough? There's more here.)

This book has traveled far already
and I let it continue to do so ....

Hope you like it!

Arrived today, stuffed full of stamps for my mother - thank you very much! (Larger photo here.)

This looks like a lovely little tribute to a vanishing part of the city's history; I love the old-style maps, too.

After I finish with this book, it may end up being shared with one of Mom's friends who is originally from Shanghai.