Shanghai is reimagining its winter shopping season by placing culture at the heart of commercial life, transforming retail districts into living cultural spaces. Across the city, markets and pedestrian areas now function as platforms for traditional crafts, public art and live performances, encouraging slower and more meaningful engagement.

At Panlong Tiandi, the East Market Bonfire Fair and Panlong Water Market have evolved into everyday gathering spaces, where visitors encounter sugar painting, folk crafts and other forms of intangible cultural heritage within a contemporary setting. This blend of old and new makes tradition accessible, particularly for younger generations and overseas tourists experiencing these customs for the first time. As one long-time vendor noted, the work is not only about business, but about “keeping a tradition alive”.

Xintiandi, a major commercial hub in central Shanghai, has adopted a similar approach, using light installations, roaming performances and artist-led markets to reconnect visitors with local history. Together, these initiatives show how culture is shaping Shanghai’s winter economy – turning shopping districts into shared cultural experiences.

Source: China Central Television