Red Town

This arts district successfully gave the more established M50 a run for its money when it opened, though insiders say both art neighborhoods pale in comparison with Beijing’s vibrant Dashanzi. Occupying an enormous space that used to house a former steel factory in Hongqiao, Red Town is a cool place for an afternoon, especially when traveling with kids, who will love the large sculpture park, complete with oversized works that can be climbed.

There are several cafes and shops (including an amazing design bookstore), and the Minsheng Art Museum, opened in 2010, focused on Chinese contemporary art. The galleries are hit-and-miss, but the whole experience of Red Town is so much fun that its’ easy to forgive the occasional uninspired exhibition.

Those more enthralled by shopping than art should not miss the Joyce Warehouse, a two-level outpost of the famous Hong Kong–based fashion and lifestyle brand (some of the items they carry is marked-down leftover stock).