Where 1920s侨民 splash in Tiffany-blue pools, 2025's avant-garde art pulses in colonial ballrooms, and century-old vines frame your matcha latte—this is Columbia Circle, a living collage of Shanghai’s past and present.
Slip through the plane trees on West Yan’an Road and step into a time capsule. Columbia Circle (Shangsheng Xinsuo) mixes 1920s glamour with creative-city buzz: a photogenic pool, a Hudec-designed villa, leafy courtyards, cafés and concept stores. It’s history you can sip, shop, and stroll through—day and night.
🕰️ History & Architecture: Layers of Time
1924 Columbia Country Club : Spanish Revival gem with "pulled wool" walls and Baroque balconies—once a bowling alley, now houses 茑屋书店 (Tsutaya Books) .
1930s Naval Club & Pool : Shanghai’s last surviving vintage outdoor pool, preserved with original mosaic tiles. By day, it’s an aquamarine jewel; by night, hosts immersive shows like "Beans Overflow" (next show: Aug 20).
1948 Sun Ke Villa : Designed by László Hudec (architect of the Park Hotel), its尖顶门洞 (pointed arches) and柚木楼梯 (teak staircases) reopen Sept 2025 after restoration.
2024 Expansion : "Urban Forest"二期 (Phase 2) features Fern Garden with Jurassic-like greenery and rooftop运动平台 (sports decks).
🌟 Must-See Sights & Experiences
1. Naval Club Pool & Promenade
Photo Secret : 9-10 AM for empty pool reflections; golden hour (4 PM) for warm light on mosaic tiles.
Eat/Drink : Luneurs for sea-salt caramel ice cream (¥35) at poolside tables.
2. Tsutaya Books (茑屋书店)
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Hidden Perks :
Free vintage book stamps at 2F counter (bring notebook).
Rooftop Bar & Dining serves yuzu cocktails with views of Sun Ke Villa.
Hours : Books 10AM-11PM; Bar till midnight.
3. Phase 2: Urban Forest Explorations
Fern Tunnel : 200+ species like 树蕨 (Cyathea spinulosa) create a "green cathedral."
Art Fix : Wu Congrong Ink Art Exhibition at 18号楼—free entry.
🛍️ Shopping & Lifestyle Gems
| Spot | Why Go | Unique Find |
|---|---|---|
| KAIJI Tea House | Sip oolong beside ferns; try "tea bombs" (¥45) | DIY tea blending kits (¥88) |
| Pizzeria (Global Flagship) | Wood-fired Napoli pies in Stefano Ferrara oven | Truffle honey pizza (¥128) |
| M Stand (Poolside) | "Coconut Cold Brew" in pool-blue cups (¥42) | Rooftop sunset views |
| Indie Design Hub (Bldg 12) | Local brands like "Sang Workshop" ceramics | Bamboo fiber scarves (¥220) |
🎪 2025 Summer Events Calendar
Aug 18-20: FEAST! Food Fest : Global street food + mixology battles by the pool (free entry; ¥50 tasting coupons).
Aug 25: Jazz in the Fern Garden : Saxophonist Liu Yuan performs under fairy lights (bring picnic mats).
Ongoing: "City New Theatre" : Book ahead for immersive dance/music shows in the Country Club ballroom.
🍽️ Dining: From Dumplings to Fine Art Plates
Inside Columbia Circle
蘭亭月·江南宴 (Bldg 18)
Splurge-worthy : Crab roe XLB (¥48/8pc), black truffle crab (¥388) in Monet-garden private rooms.
Pro tip: Book "Jade Room" for villa views.
Sapore di Pane (Bldg 7)
- Budget pick : Pistachio gelato affogato (¥58) on the terrace overlooking Tsutaya Books.
5-Min Walk Drink
Blue Bottle Coffee (Phase II)
Seventh Shanghai café; sculptural white canopy, great filter and limited bakes.
Seesaw Coffee (Bldg 19)
Local specialty brand; reliable espresso and light bites.
🚇 Visitor Essentials
Getting There
-Metro:
West Yan’an Road (Line 3/4) —short walk to 1262 West Yan’an Rd. Some guides note Exit 2 as handy.
Jiangsu Road (Line 2/11) —also walkable; many venues list Jiangsu Lu as the nearest hub.
-Bus: Yan’an W Rd / Panyu Rd stop on trunk 71 runs along the elevated Yan’an corridor.
-Taxi/Rideshare: Ask for “上生·新所, 延安西路1262号（近番禺路）”. Address confirmed across official and travel sites.
-Public areas: Open year-round, free entry , effectively 24/7 (shops keep their own hours).
-Shops/cafés: Most run roughly 10:00–22:00 ; Tsutaya Books typically 10:00–22:00. Check individual venues for late closes.
⚡ Insider’s Survival Kit
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Beat Crowds :
Mornings (8-10 AM) : Empty pool + soft light for photos.
Wednesdays : Quietest day; locals avoid post-weekend cleanup days.
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Free Perks :
Borrow clear umbrellas from Tsutaya Books for rainy-day shots.
Join Friday yoga (7 AM, Fern Garden—mats provided).
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Photo Hacks :
Phase 2 rooftop : Frame the pool + Sun Ke Villa spire at dusk.
Country Club arches : Use iPhone "dramatic warm" filter for vintage vibes.
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Avoid :
Weekends 2-5 PM—tour buses swamp the pool.
Cash-only vendors (only 10% accept it; use Alipay TourCard).
Columbia Circle isn’t a checklist; it’s a rhythm—tile reflections, espresso steam, and leafy courtyards humming with ideas. Come for the architecture, linger for the cafés and culture, and leave with a camera roll full of arches and light. This is Shanghai past and future, on the same stroll. Columbia Circle isn’t just bricks and water—it’s where jazz notes curl around Hudec’s arches, where your reflection floats beside 1924’s ghostly swimmers, and where ferns press against glass like nature reclaiming the city.