Q:Hello Dr. Fan! I heard you used to work here when it was the Shanghai Navigation Instrument Factory, as a technician, right?
A:That’s right. About 40 years ago, I graduated from Nanjing Institute of Technology with a major in Electronics, and I came to work at Shanghai Navigation Instrument Factory right away.

Q:How did you end up going to McKinsey later on?
A:I later got the chance to study abroad in Australia, where I pursued degrees in finance and management. After earning my doctorate, I returned to China and joined McKinsey’s consulting team. I basically lived through China’s high-speed economic growth all those years.

Q:This place must hold special meaning for you, then.
A:Every time I come here, I feel something really strong. It connects my memories of youth to the present, and it’s really touching. Standing here, you can truly feel the weight of time passing, and you can see the results of the city and the economy’s rapid development over these decades. Time really can change everything.

Q:Do you have any thoughts or suggestions about this model of renovating old factory buildings and revitalizing them commercially?
A:I think revitalizing old industrial factories is a really great business model. For me, at least, it gives me a place to look back on my youth and the development of the city, and that’s something really special.

Q:Hello! I see you have a nice single-lens reflex camera. Did you come here for photography?
A:I met a friend nearby and stopped by. I really love architectural photography, so I came to grab some shots.

Q:What’s special about this place to you?
A:The architectural style is a mix of Chinese and Western, it’s really unique, and it has a strong industrial vibe. It’s easy to get great shots here.

Q:For a photography lover like you, is this a good place to shoot?
A:Definitely. A lot of man-made scenic spots these days all look the same. Only old spaces with history can create photos with the right atmosphere.

Q:Do you have any other thoughts or opinions from a photographer’s perspective you’d like to share?
A:When I take photos, I focus on light, shadow, and spatial tension. Places like 1933 have unique compositional lines that bring out the texture and depth of the architecture.

Q:Hello! How long have you had your shop here? How’s business?
A:We’ve been here for quite a while. Business is pretty good overall, especially on weekends. Lots of young people come by to look around and buy things.

Q:Why did you decide to open a culture and creative shop here?
A:Mainly because there’s a good flow of people now, and the rent is reasonable. For a small shop like ours, opening in a big shopping mall wouldn’t really fit, and the rent would be way too high for us to afford.

Q:What do you think of the 798 Art Zone?
A:I think it’s great. It's a really good platform for small business owners like us. We can run our shop peacefully here, and it also fits well with the zone’s cultural vibe. It’s an excellent choice for a small business.

Q:Do you have any plans or expectations for the future of your shop?
A:I’m actually quite optimistic. Next, I want to expand our creative products, making more items that reflect the unique character of the art zone. I hope to attract more people who love culture, creativity, and the old factory atmosphere. I also think this place will get even more lively, and that our little shop can grow along with the zone.

Q:Hello! Are you here visiting Shanghai?
A:Yes, we’re from Jiangxi. We went to the Bund this morning. Xintiandi is really famous, so we definitely had to come check it out.

Q:How do you like it so far? Any highlights?
A:It’s really beautiful. It’s classic Shanghai alleyway style, but done in a very stylish, modern way. We took lots of nice photos to post on social media.

Q:Would you come back again if you had the chance?
A:If we could, we’d love to live nearby. Just like the people who live here, walking around and drinking coffee every day is a lifestyle that really suits us.

Q:What do you think is the most attractive thing about Xintiandi?
A:The thing that draws us the most is how old buildings blend with city life. It has the vibe of old Shanghai, but it’s also very international and trendy.

Q:Hi there, do you have a minute to talk? Are you from around here?
A:Hi, I’m a college student, and my home is right around here.

Q:Do you come here often? What do you think of this place?
A:I think it’s a great place to spend my free time during breaks. As a student, I don’t have a big budget, and I don’t want to waste money on other things. But just walking around here gives me a fun and relaxing afternoon, and that’s more than enough for me.

Q:How is this place different from the big shopping malls you usually go to?
A:It’s pretty different. This place is more interesting and has a great rustic atmosphere, plus lots of cool little things. I really like it. It’s not like those typical big malls with just luxury brands, clothes and cosmetics, they get boring after a while.

Q:Hello sir, how long have you been working here?
A:Almost a year now.

Q:How is the pay here? Are you used to working in this area?
A:The pay is okay, around five thousand a month. Overall it’s pretty good, I’m doing well here.

Q:What do you think of Yongqing Fang?
A:I think it’s great. It’s lively and there are lots of tourists. I’m the kind of person who likes to move around. My job here is mostly patrolling, I can’t stand sitting still by a gate all the time

Q:Do you have anything to say to the visitors here?
A:I just hope this place gets more and more popular, with more tourists. And I hope everyone behaves well when they visit and stays safe.

Q:Hi! Did you come here a lot? Do you like the atmosphere here?
A:Yes, we think the environment here is really unique and great for photos. It’s also quiet, not as noisy as other shopping districts. We can find a cozy corner to have coffee, and it feels really nice.

Q:How do you feel about the prices here?
A:It’s not too expensive. We just had a light meal at the western restaurant across the road for less than 100 yuan per person, which is pretty reasonable.

Q:Will you come back again?
A:Definitely. We also visited other similar spots around the city. Many of our friends are the same, and we now have more choices for hangouts.

Q:If they hold more events here, like markets, exhibitions, or concerts, would you be interested?
A:Absolutely! Events would make this place even better and bring a fresh atmosphere.

Q:Hello ma’am! Have you eaten? Are you out walking?
A:Yes, yes, I have. I’m just out for a walk with my grandson.

Q:Do you live nearby? How do you feel about this place being turned into a commercial area now?
A:I’ve lived here for decades. This used to be just an old warehouse. No one could’ve imagined it’d become such a busy place for eating, drinking and having fun.

Q:Has this change affected your life? Do you like it?
A:I wouldn’t say I love it, but the changes are really obvious. There are so many more people now. It’s livelier, but also noisier, and parking has become really hard. I have to be extra careful when the kid goes out — there are so many cars passing by, I have to keep an eye on him all the time.

Q:Do you think it’s good that it changed from a warehouse to what it is now?
A:There are definitely good sides. First, when relatives and friends come to visit, I don’t have to go far. I can just bring them here to eat and look around. Second, my grandson loves coming here. There are many places for kids to play, unlike before when we could only walk around downstairs in the neighborhood.

Q:Hello! Are you a tourist?
A:Oh no, I work in the office building nearby. I’m just here for lunch.

Q:So you come here often?
A:Of course! I come here almost every day. There’s so many choices for food and drinks, way better than ordering takeout at the office.

Q:What’s the biggest attraction here for you?
A:Haha, honestly it’s like our personal cafeteria. Convenient, tasty, and lots of options. After lunch, I still have time to walk around and grab a bubble tea during break.

Q:Compared to shopping malls and regular fast-food places, what do you prefer more about here?
A:I prefer the environment. It’s not as noisy as big malls, and not as rushed as fast food. The atmosphere here is really nice. After eating, I take a walk and browse some small accessory shops. It puts me in a much better mood for work in the afternoon.