10 top things to do in Tianzifang

Blacksheep Espresso

Technically set outside the tangle of lanes that is Tianzifang, but we'll let this one slide because the coffee is killer. The short-but-sweet menu keeps things simple with espressos starting at 22RMB and flavour profiles ranging from dark blends to tropical hints. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of the 'mile high club' drinks, which include a chai cold brew and a gin craft brew with citrus undertones (both 45RMB). 

Café Dan

This Japanese café is probably best known for its matcha noodles, but the fairly extensive menu features everything from roast pork ramen (78RMB) to natto pizza (80RMB), sashimi combos (158RMB) and matcha cake (45RMB). And when coffee just won't cut it, there's also a wide variety of boozy drinks on offer.

Sky Music Box

Don’t let the unassuming entrance deter you – walk upstairs through the narrow entrance and take a trip down memory lane in this melodic boutique that oozes nostalgia. Home to handcrafted music boxes from all over the world, this museum-cum-shop is a respite away from the Tianzifang madness – though taking home one of these wooden trinkets could set you back a couple hundred kuai.

Tono's Cat Café

Feline lovers, grab a drink with some furry friends at this cat café, also known as Tono’s Palace. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the namesake cat Tono – aka 'His Royal Highness' – himself. The kitties at this spot are all blood-related, and if you're really getting into it, you can follow the family genealogy with the help of a family tree on display.

Coffee starts at a (steep) 40RMB for an espresso, with other options including tea, juice and cocktails. Most guests seem to come for the small cakes (and the cats), but there are other on-trend menu items like poke from 68RMB.

Urban Tribe

The Tianzifang branch of the minimalist and eco-conscious lifestyle brand carries handmade jewellery, handcrafted pottery and clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and wool. Many of the one-of-a-kind items are made using traditional Chinese tribal techniques – the fabrics for clothing, for example, where possible are dyed using vegetable colourings such as red from logwood, blue from indigo and brown from tea leaves (a tradition practised in China for 3,000 years). Though you won’t find flamboyant patterns and daring cuts, the collection of simple and comfortable earthy basics are well-worth a look.

Xiang Sheng

A boutique selling minimalist traditional Chinese silk hanfu, Xiang Sheng's storefront is in itself alluring – a mini stone bridge over a small pond leads guests to the main wooden entrance. A nice, lightweight and airy alternative to the qipao, most of the dresses on offer are monochrome with small floral details (prices start from 500RMB).