Is Columbia Circle free and how do I get there?

Wandering the grounds is free, including the courtyards, the old pool, and the gardens. Restaurants and cafes charge normally and accept foreign cards. It is about a 20-minute walk from Jiangsu Road metro station, so allow time for the stroll or take a taxi or ride-hail directly to the entrance on West Yan'an Road.

How long should I spend at Columbia Circle?

Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours. That covers a loop of the restored buildings and the pool courtyard, a browse through Sisyphe bookstore, and a stop at a cafe or the on-site craft brewery. It works best as an unhurried afternoon rather than a quick checklist stop.

Columbia Circle, Shanghai: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Restored 1930s American Country Club turned mixed-use creative campus — gardens, gym pool, boutique cafés.

At a glance

What it is: Neighborhood
Also known as: 上生·新所 (Shàng Shēng Xīn Suǒ)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit: Weekday late afternoon
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 1262 West Yan’an Road, Changning District, Shanghai · 长宁区延安西路1262号

Columbia Circle map & getting there

Map of Columbia Circle (上生·新所) in Shanghai — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Shanghai map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 长宁区延安西路1262号 · 1262 West Yan’an Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Columbia Circle (上生·新所) is a beautifully restored 1924 American Country Club in the former Columbia Circle expat neighborhood. After decades as a state-run biotech compound, the complex reopened in 2018 as a hybrid retail/F&B/cultural destination. The Spanish-style Sun Ke Mansion, original swimming pool, and brick villas are all preserved. Today you’ll find Sisyphe bookstore, indie coffee, a craft brewery, and rotating exhibitions. Free to wander the grounds; restaurants accept foreign cards. A 20-minute walk from Jiangsu Road metro.

Highlights

Original Swimming Pool (原游泳池)Restored 1930s pool, now a courtyard centerpiece
Sun Ke Mansion (孙科别墅)Spanish-style villa, preserved architecture
Sisyphe Bookstore (思南书局)Indie bookstore with curated selection
Craft Brewery & CafésBoutique cafés and a craft brewery on-site

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Late afternoon on a weekday is ideal; the courtyard light is warm and the campus is far quieter than weekends.
The restored 1930s swimming pool courtyard is the signature photo spot most first-timers overlook on arrival.
Sun Ke Mansion, the Spanish-style villa, is the architectural highlight; circle it rather than only sitting at the cafes.
Foreign cards work at the restaurants, making it an easy dinner or drinks stop after touring the grounds.
It is calmer and more spacious than Anfu Road or Wukang Mansion, a good antidote if those felt too crowded.
Allow extra time for the 20-minute walk from Jiangsu Road metro, or use a ride-hail app straight to the gate.
Check for rotating exhibitions before you go; programming changes and can be the deciding reason to visit on a given week.

Photos

Show all 12 photos

Videos

OMA’s COLUMBIA CIRCLE IN SHANGHAI - #donotsettle

donotsettle

Frequently asked questions about Columbia Circle

What is Columbia Circle (Shanghai) and is it worth visiting?: Columbia Circle is a restored 1924 American Country Club in Changning that reopened in 2018 as a creative campus of shops, cafes, and exhibitions. The Spanish-style Sun Ke Mansion, original swimming pool, and brick villas are all preserved. It is worth visiting if you enjoy historic architecture with a relaxed, less touristy atmosphere than the busier French Concession streets.
Is Columbia Circle free and how do I get there?: Wandering the grounds is free, including the courtyards, the old pool, and the gardens. Restaurants and cafes charge normally and accept foreign cards. It is about a 20-minute walk from Jiangsu Road metro station, so allow time for the stroll or take a taxi or ride-hail directly to the entrance on West Yan’an Road.
How long should I spend at Columbia Circle?: Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours. That covers a loop of the restored buildings and the pool courtyard, a browse through Sisyphe bookstore, and a stop at a cafe or the on-site craft brewery. It works best as an unhurried afternoon rather than a quick checklist stop.

More in Shanghai

Plan your Shanghai trip

Read all China travel guides →

View on the Shanghai map