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.

Exiting on Huaihai Road Middle, which together with Nanjing Road has become a symbol of the city's flourishing commerce, Shaanxi Road South Station (metro lines 1 and 10) is undoubtedly one of the busiest metro stations in the city, especially during weekends and national holidays.

Here, dozens of time-honored Chinese brands offer a wide selection of snacks and other goods, while new shopping mall IAPM gathers luxury brands to present the latest stylish choices. However, the area around Shaanxi Road South Station also has some lesser-known destinations that are well worth a visit.

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Feng Zikai former residence

Inside a residential compound off Shaanxi Road South lies the former residence of Feng Zikai (No.93, Lane 39 Shaanxi Road South, 5403-1102), which quietly welcomes visitors to explore the life of the great Chinese writer and artist.

Born in 1898 in Zhejiang Province, Feng Zikai is famed for his role in the history of literature, art and education. Throughout his life, Feng published a series of essays, translated a number of books on music into Chinese, and taught fine arts at Fudan University and Zhejiang University, while his illustrations that dealt with the everyday lives of Chinese people also secured him a place as one of the most significant cartoonists of modern China.

The former residence of Feng is in a three-story Spanish-style building, where he lived from 1954 until he passed away in 1975. In this time, he completed many of his most famous works, including cartoons for Lu Xun's novels and for an edition of ancient Japanese book The Tale of Genji.

An exhibition space on the second and third floors displays photographs, illustrations and items from Feng's daily life, including a gas bill and one of his letters.

On the second floor, visitors can still see the shabby bedroom (pictured below)Feng inhabited during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), which holds a narrow bed and a thin wooden writing desk.

Here visitors can also purchase cartoon prints as well as books at quite reasonable prices. Entry to the venue is free, and it is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.

Realm of trains

Walking along Xiangyang Road North, which is to the west of the metro station, you can't miss the big model of a locomotive in front of the Bachmann Trains store (100 Xiangyang Road North, 5403-1701).

The first Bachmann model train was made in 1952 for the US market, and since then Bachmann has become an influential player in model railroading around the world. The Bachmann China company was opened in 1995.

At the store, visitors will find not only models of earlier steam trains but also models of the latest China railway high-speed train, known as the CRH. There are also other models available based on trains from around the world, such as German trains that served during WWII. The prices range from around 100 yuan ($16.18) up to several thousand yuan, according to the size and the complexity of the models.

A model of a locomotive displayed at Bachmann Trains store Photos: Sun Shuangjie/GT

The store is the only outlet of Bachmann in the city, and according to a staff member, it will relocate to its Shanghai office (Room 5203, Bldg 5, Top M50, 18 Wuwei Road East, 6256-5012) this August.

Sweet present 

Located beside Xiangyang Park, pastry shop Aime Patisserie (1008 Huaihai Road Middle, 6481-0558), with its bright-colored façade and intricate window display, stands out among the numerous stores along this stretch of Huaihai Road Middle.

The intricate décor of the shop is designed to resemble a box of desserts being unwrapped. The shop is divided into two areas, a foyer with bar seating, and a display counter that showcases an array of delicate desserts and macarons.

Popular products here include the ultra-praliné chocolat au lait that has layers of chocolate and hazelnuts; and the alliance rose framboises and litchi (pictured below), which boasts a rich mixture of rose petals, cheese, litchi fruit and jam. The store opens from midday to 8 pm from Sundays to Thursdays and from midday to 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays.