The Columbia Circle has recently added new consumption and cultural scenarios, creating a new immersive urban leisure paradigm of "explore  during the day and enjoying during the night." During the day, multiple new stores, regional debut stores, and specialty stores, such as PF3 concept store and Bathfeel, offers a rangeof trendy goods, lifestyle and creative experiences. As night falls, the "Sunset Canteen" themed event offers authentic local cuisine, interwoven with cultural events such as Mozart concerts, creating a unique summer consumption experience.

Using art to convey historical context

In July, the Columbia Circle launched two major art events, bringing Shanghai residents a warm and sophisticated urban cultural experience. The "Side B Stories" workshop, held on July 4th at the Sun Ke Villa, focused on the theme of "Life Turnaround," guiding the public to confront life beyond their plans and rediscover the meaning of moving forward through adjustment and acceptance. Many attendees expressed that looking back on their own experiences from an outsider's perspective brought them a much deeper emotional impact than expected.

On July 11th, Rongyu Culture and the Shanghai Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, presented a special concert of classic chamber music commemorating the 270th anniversary of the birth of this classical music giant at the Navy Club. Two concerts in the afternoon and evening full utilized the Navy Club's unique architectural space and natural reverberation effects. The entire performance was presented in an immersive, unreinforced format, without the need for electronic enhancements, allowing the audience to closely observe the delicate details of string bowing and piano touch, and truly experience the authentic sonic texture of classical music.

As a highlight of the "World Musicians Series" of the Columbia Circle New Theater, this concert centers on Mozart's classic works and other classical music pieces during the same era. It broke away from the traditional concert hall viewing model, integrates professional classical music appreciation into the city's public space, and creates a high-quality art experience that is accessible and resonates with the public.

Igniting the nighttime economy with gourmet 

As summer nights grow longer, nightlife becomes an important indicator of urban vitality. Recently, Columbia Circle and Early Spring Market jointly launched the "Sunset Canteen" initiative, inviting a group of high-quality vendors with local characteristics to set up stalls in the park every evening, enriching the leisure dining options for residents.

The first batch of vendors included canteens providing Wenzhou's intangible cultural heritage of wonton making, eastern Fujian-style plum juice, and specialty flowers. As evening falls and the setting sun casts its glow on the century-old buildings of Columbia Circle, the park begins to bustle with activity. The wonton vendor had learned the art of making wonton from artisans on numerous occasions; the eastern Fujian-style plum juice used naturally sun-dried Fujian plums to preserve its authentic flavor; and the flower vendor, a seasoned aromatherapist, brings lotus flowers, magnolias, and other floral arrangements, surprising and delighting many visitors.

Leveraging the unique advantage of its 24/7 open streetscape, visitors can not only enjoy Western cuisine and drinks by the iconic pool, but also wander among the stalls of the "Sunset Canteen," experiencing the joy of outdoor dining and the neighborhood. This unique experience that allows a leisure stroll and dining at the same time, which also blends historical charm with modern leisure, perfectly reflects the current urban residents' search for a sense of relaxation.

Enriching the experience with diverse business formats

As one of Shanghai's first batch of "best nightlife destinations" and a municipal-level tourist and leisure block, Columbia Circle has been committed to exploring a fusion model of "cultural experience + dining+ nighttime social interaction." Its diverse business formats are one of the reasons for its continued popularity.

The recently opened PF3 concept store, with its relaxed and open supermarket-style layout, breaks down brand boundaries and naturally integrates multiple distinctive brands and business formats within the Su Ran system, becoming a popular spot for taking photos. Brands such as Nine Agora Wine Club, Spring Planting and Autumn Harvest, Friendship Canteen, ZUCZUG 22, and Chuoke Chuoke are all present, covering multiple life scenarios from selected fine wines, local ingredients, and down-to-earth meals to fun cultural and creative products.

As summer arrives, a visit to Columbia Circle offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle – the debut store of the high-end domestic body care brand, Bathfeel, cannot not to be missed.This store, themed "A Personal Bathroom," has already become a haven for many urban dwellers seeking respite from their busy lives, thanks to its four-section narrative space: "Meet, Shake Hands, Chat, See You Next Time." With the arrival of summer, the store brings a brand-new summer experience, introducing "Relaxed Body Care" to this urban oasis. New products in the fruit acid series have been launched, completely simplifying the complexities of body care and seamlessly integrating it into daily routines.

Popular restaurants include Wenzhou-style tavern ("No Fish Farming"), Lantingyue (a Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine restaurant), Kaiji Teahouse, Wild Select Tea&Bar, Red Mansion Ice Cream, and Chuaifu Bakery.Other stores like Youlan, UNDERBOBO, Pali Living Space, and KOLON1973 offer a wide selection of clothing. Many more stores are to be unlocked here. 

In June of this year, Columbia Circle was successfully selected for Dianping's 2026 Must-Visit List, becoming a benchmark destination in Shanghai's urban renewal projects that combines popularity, reputation, and cultural depth. This summer, why not invite a few friends to step into Columbia Circle during different hours the day and experience the multifaceted charm of this artistic landmark?

 Columbia Circle 

Address: No. 1262, Yan'an West Road

Access: Take Metro Line 10 or 11 to Jiaotong University Station, or Metro Line 3 or 4 to Yan'an West Road Station.