Blossoms Shanghai revives hotspots with film fans

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Triggered by the popular Chinese TV series Blossoms Shanghai, a citywalk tour along Zhongshan East Road in Shanghai has been organised, specifically designed to cater to fans of the show, with a capacity of up to 18 participants. Among those who joined, a notable figure was a 60-year-old woman who, inspired by Li Li’s character from the series, chose to wear fur for the tour. The event also saw families bringing their children to delve into the city’s past, using the series as a narrative backdrop.

Participants shared a collective enthusiasm for the series, with one individual highlighting a personal connection to the Renji Hospital, featured in the show, where they were born. Despite the series only showcasing a fragment of the original novel, it succeeded in transporting viewers back to a bygone era filled with opportunities.

The tour, led by Zhou, spanned from the Bund on Yan’an East Road to Waibaidu Bridge, including stops at significant locations from the series like the Bund One Art Museum for Jin Yucheng’s exhibition and the Peace Hotel. Zhou pointed out that the tour’s 1-kilometer route, enriched with classic buildings from Blossoms Shanghai and their historical narratives, took approximately two hours to complete.

Highlighting a specific point of interest, Zhou discussed Three on the Bund, where the male lead A Bao got his suits tailored, tying it to the history of Hongbang tailors, emblematic of Shanghai’s skilled clothing makers at the time. Now a regular event every Sunday, Zhou’s citywalk tours extend beyond public participation to include corporate team-building and live streaming.

The influence of Blossoms Shanghai extends deeply into Shanghai’s tourism industry. For example, Huanghe Road experienced a significant increase in foot traffic, and the Peace Hotel’s suite, featured in the series, saw its rate soar. Similarly, Tai Sheng Yuan, the real-life inspiration for a location in the drama, witnessed a revival, introducing a TV series-themed package that quickly became fully booked.

Inspired by the series’ impact, Zhou developed multiple thematic citywalk routes, including one from the Peace Hotel to Park Hotel, passing significant eateries and architectural landmarks from the 1930s. He also suggested additional routes featuring filming locations from Blossoms Shanghai and culinary spots for food enthusiasts to explore.

The revitalisation of city blocks and the emergence of new hot spots can be attributed to the series and other cinematic works like The Murderer, directed by Peter Chan, which transformed a section of Zhapu Road into a historical alley from the 1940s for the movie. This makeover has attracted both locals and tourists, eager to experience the charm of old Shanghai.

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