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Editor's Note:

This year is the 21st anniversary of the opening of the Shanghai metro. The subway has facilitated more than 13 billion journeys during its 21 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 in-depth 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.

For years, students at the Xuhui campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University have been envied by their peers, largely because just to the south of their campus lies the commercial hub of Xujiahui, which has restaurants and entertainment venues in abundance.

Yet there is a lot more than eating and KTV to enjoy in the area. The Global Times recently visited Jiao Tong University Station on metro Line 10, which lies north of the university at the intersection of Huashan Road and Huaihai Road Middle, and explored the highlights of this quieter, but no less attractive, part of town.

Roche Bobois

Large and small boutique shops dot the western and the middle parts of Huaihai Road Middle, including the flagship venue of Parisian furniture chain Roche Bobois, located at 88 Huaihai Road West, which is unmissable with its beautiful window display.

Inside of Roche Bobois Photos: Liao Fangzhou/GT and CFP

 

Inside of Roche Bobois Photos: Liao Fangzhou/GT and CFP

A mixed range is presented here. Roche Bobois separates its items into two major categories: nouveaux classiques and les contemporains. The contemporary stylings, from tables and beds to lighting and cushions, seem popular with local customers who are developing a taste for contemporary European stylings.

Whether it is the wood-focused, sleek-looking minimalist pieces that speak of a simple elegance, or bold and colorful furnishings, a wild yet practical aesthetic runs throughout.

Shanghai Film Art Center

Walking north five minutes to the intersection of Xinhua Road and Panyu Road will bring you to the 14,000-square-meter Shanghai Film Art Center cinema complex (pictured below). This is unquestionably the city's cinema of cinemas - it was the first in the city to be ranked as a five-star picture house, and is the main venue for the Shanghai International Film Festival. It is the location of choice for many movie premieres too.

The cinema has nine theaters. The largest, Theater One, features a 22-meter by 10.5-meter screen, state-of-the-art projector and sound systems, and a seating capacity of 1,118. The 458-seat Theater Two is well-known for its world-class audio effects, and the 288-seat Theater Three specializes in the screening of digital films.

Inside of Roche Bobois Photos: Liao Fangzhou/GT and CFP

Moreover, there are plenty of cafés and eateries. The sandwich shop, gelato store and coffee outlet on the first floor provide quality refreshments for those waiting for their screening to start. Popcorn and soft drinks are available on the second floor.

Children's Park

To the northeast of the metro station at 1575 Huashan Road, surrounded by residential buildings, lies Huashan Children's Park. It is easy to miss, but this means it is serene and relaxing most of the time, unlike many other parks in Shanghai.

It has benches under the pine and camphor trees, and children's play equipment including a seesaw, slide and swings. Adults are not allowed to use the equipment due to weight limits - a policy strictly enforced by park staff - but it still has a nostalgic atmosphere.

Hair care salons

Several acclaimed hair salons can be found to the east of the metro station. A standout is Nakamura, a Japanese studio that local television anchors, among many other loyal customers, frequently visit.

It has two outlets in the city, both within 10 minutes' walk of the metro station: a small, shabby chic one on Huashan Road, and a sophisticated main store on 1808 Huaihai Road Middle.

At the main store, there is a Japanese hairdresser and several Chinese hairdressers who have undergone intensive Japanese hairstyling training. They are sought out for their extreme diligence and accuracy, as well as personalized styling advice.

The Japanese hairdresser, who is the most senior staff member, speaks very limited Chinese, but there is no need to worry about communication issues, with a staff translator ready to help any time. A haircut from him costs 380 yuan ($61.80).

The price is more affordable with the other hairdressers, who charge between 100 and 300 yuan. The most popular are two young men called Owen and Frank.

Service is attentive and friendly. There are also a large number of Japanese fashion magazines available for customers to peruse, and free tea including peppermint and earl grey, to enjoy while you wait.