SHANGHAI THROUGH A UNIQUE LENS./
DESIGNER + PHOTOGRAPHER DAIJENA WANG FIRST CAUGHT OUR EYE WITH HER INCREDIBLY ATMOSPHERIC SHOTS OF CITY LIFE./
COMING FROM A MULTICULTURAL BACKGROUND WITH BOTH GERMANY + CHINA AS HOME COUNTRIES, SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOND OF TRAVELLING./ AND, WHEN SHE GOT HER FIRST CAMERA WHEN SHE TURNED 16, SHE STARTED TO COMBINE HER LIFE OF TRAVELLING WITH HER PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY./
WHILE SHE LOVES TO TAKE PHOTOS ON HER TRAVELS, SHE CONFESSES THAT "MY FAVOURITE PLACE TO CAPTURE IS + ALWAYS WILL BE MY HOMETOWN, SHANGHAI."/ ALTHOUGH CURRENTLY BASED IN GERMANY, DAIJENA VISITS OFTEN + SHE ALWAYS FINDS SOMETHING NEW - "SHANGHAI NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME!"/
IN A CITY WITH SO MUCH TO SEE + DO, DAIJENA ADMITTED THAT IT WAS NOT EASY TO LIMIT HER SELECTION TO ONLY A FEW PLACES, BUT HERE ARE SOME OF HER TOP PICKS TO CHECK OUT IN THE CITY...
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M50 ART DISTRICT
"In between your days at typical sightseeing spots, have a stroll around the M50 art district for a small change of scenery. Next to some street art to be found across the district, there is a site with several buildings, which host a broad range of exhibitions, always changing + adapting. Not far from there, you will soon find a new interesting architectural construct that aims to paint the city a little bit greener with its numerous columns of planted trees, named '1000 Trees'."
KARTEL WINE BAR
"One thing Shanghai really is famous for, are the many beautiful (rooftop) bars, mostly located near the Hunag Pu river. For a less typical (although breathtaking) view of Shanghai, have a drink at the Kartel Wine Bar, which offers a wonderful panoramic view around the Jing'an District. Although it's called the Kartel Wine Bar, they also have amazing cocktails + delicious food."
CAFÉ CHEZ W
"When you've spent a lot of time in the city + need a little time out from the big city hustle, take a break at the Café Chez W. It is housed inside a small lane in the former French Concession of Shanghai with a lovely cozy vintage interior. You can easily forget everything around you for a moment + indulge in their great coffee, best paired with the most delicious cinnamon scone in town (I highly recommend you to try it)."
All photos are copyright F1FTY except: Daijena Wang profile photo (Courtesy of Daijena Wang); Café Chez W (Instagram @cafechezw); M50 (Credit: Unsplash - Max van de Oetelaar); Kartel Wine Bar (Instagram @kartelshanghai). This feature was not paid for in any way.