Editor's Note:

This year is the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Shanghai metro. The subway has facilitated more than 13 billion journeys during its 20 years, and half of Shanghai citizens cite the metro as their favored mode of transport. To commemorate the anniversary, each week the Global Times will take an indepth look at one metro station and its surroundings. In the case of downtown stations, we will focus on points of interest within walking distance; while for suburban areas, we will cast our net a little wider.

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One stop north of the bustling Hongkou Football Stadium Station on metro Line 3 is the quieter Chifeng Road Station. The station is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and two of the city's leading universities, Shanghai International Studies University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, meaning there are plenty of solid dining, shopping and outing options. 

Diyun Shopping Center

The second floor of the Chifeng Road Station houses a small shopping center called Diyun. The shopping center is home to dozens of fashion boutiques selling clothes, hats, shoes, bags, jewelry and more.

A fixture here is A Ji Dou (No. CD213-214, 2603-1723), a popular Chinese fashion accessory chain established in 2003. One of its many stores in Shanghai, the roomy Chifeng Road shop is packed with an impressive array of jewelry and accessory items ranging from earrings, rings and necklaces to bracelets, brooches and watches. It also sells sunglasses, mobile phone decoration, wallets, handbags, and other trinkets.

According to the shop assistants, most products on display are the only piece of their kind, guaranteeing uniqueness. Image-conscious yet budget-minded fashionistas will appreciate the store's affordable pricing. For example, a vintage, floral stone ring is priced at 50 yuan ($8.21), while an elegant glass crystal necklace costs around 100 yuan.

A Ji Dou also provides excellent after-sales services. Customers can bring their broken items to any outlet in Shanghai with a receipt to take advantage of free jewelry repair services.

At the entrance of the shopping center stands an unassuming shop called Xinle Porcelain (No.CB303, 1356-4200-252). The tiny shop specializes in assorted fine bone china products including tableware, tea and coffee sets, candlesticks, vases and other decorative items.

The shop owner surnamed Tu told the Global Times that all of her porcelain wares are from Guangdong Province, and Tangshan, Hebei Province, two areas famous for manufacturing fine-quality ceramics.

Tu added that the prices of her delicate porcelain products vary greatly depending on raw materials, design and functions. A mug (pictured above) costs between 30 and 40 yuan, while a medieval European royal court style tea set is priced at 2,500 yuan.

Anson Guitar Shop

Head downstairs for the Anson Guitar Shop (No.CA05, 1592-1595-107) on the ground floor of the subway station. The store not only stocks classical guitars, but also electronic drum sets and, more uniquely, ukuleles.

The shop was opened early this year by Anson Tong, a guitar and drum enthusiast from North China. A self-taught guitarist, Tong used to give music lessons in Shanghai before he opened his store.

The small eateries along the university backstreet Dongtiyuhui Road Photos: Yang Zhenqi/GT

Tong emphasizes the quality of his products which he says are "within the middle range of prices." For beginners, he suggests buying a guitar priced under 1,000 yuan, while more skilled players may want to spend between 2,000 yuan and 3,000 yuan.

The shop also runs guitar classes for players of all ages and abilities. Priced at 800 yuan for 10 lessons (each lesson lasts 45 minutes), the program can be conducted on a one-on-one basis. "The biggest challenges for our learners are to attend the 10 lessons in a row and to keep practicing at home to reinforce the skills," Tong told the Global Times.

The small eateries along the university backstreet Dongtiyuhui Road Photos: Yang Zhenqi/GT

University backstreet

A short walk from Exit 3 of the Chifeng Road Station is the Hongkou campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Taking a stroll around the tranquil and atmospheric school offers a quick respite from the hectic city.

Head east across the campus and you will reach Dongtiyuhui Road, also known as the backstreet of SISU. The narrow, winding thoroughfare that links Dalian Road West and Zhongshanbei'er Road used to be a busy street lined with stalls selling cheap eats, used books, and pirated CDs and DVDs.

However, after all of the university's undergraduates moved to the new Songjiang campus more than 10 years ago, the Hongkou campus and its backstreet became quieter. Now Dongtiyuhui Road is only home to a moderate number of small eateries.

The Students' Canteen (378 Dongtiyuhui Road, 5539-9516) is a popular, wallet-friendly dining establishment frequented by both university students and residents nearby. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of 200 dishes and drinks covering Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisines.

Some of the most-ordered dishes include sausage and ribs clay pot rice, presevered egg congee, meatballs in soy sauce with rice, beef and needle mushroom noodles, stir-fried rice noodles with sliced beef, wonton soup, mango pudding, and Hong Kong-style milk tea, according to the restaurant's waitstaff. All dishes are priced under 20 yuan.

Quyang Park

A 10-minute walk north from Exit 1 takes you to Quyang Park (880 Zhongshanbeiyi Road, 6544-4145). Covering a total area of over 6 hectares, the park was opened in late 1997 and is equipped with various sports facilities including tennis and badminton courts, ping-pong tables, billiards and boating. It also features excellent go-kart tracks where visitors seeking fun and excitement can drive cars imported from Japan. With plenty of greenery, the park offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Quyang Park opens free to the public from 6 am to 6 pm daily.