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 (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.
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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.
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