A Stroll Through Shanghai: Visit the Century-Old Newspaper Row and Grab a Coffee at *Shen Bao*

Wangping Street holds a significant place in Chinese journalism history, bearing the imprint of China's news industry. Today's Shandong Middle Road, formerly Wangping Street, is the century-old Newspaper Row and the birthplace of modern Chinese journalism. Spanning just 200 meters from Fuzhou Road to Nanjing East Road, this area has witnessed over three centuries of history. Hundreds of newspapers once established offices here, documenting China and observing the world. 📚 Background: 🌸 In 1872, *Shen Bao*, hailed as the "first modern Chinese newspaper," was founded here. Today, this area has been revitalized as the "News History and Culture District," a modern cultural hub where visitors can read, explore, and experience the aspirations of the people for a better life. 🌸 *Shen Bao*, originally named *Shenjiang Xinbao*, was founded on April 30, 1872, and ceased publication on May 27, 1949. Spanning the late Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang Government, and the Nationalist Government, it published over 27,000 issues. It was the longest-running and most influential newspaper in modern China, marking the beginning of modern Chinese newspapers and serving as an "encyclopedia" for researching modern Chinese history. After ceasing publication, *Shen Bao* was transferred to the *Jiefang Daily*. The former *Shen Bao* building has been transformed into "the press," a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, brunch, coffee, Western cuisine, and drinks. The name alludes to its history as a newspaper office. The waitstaff wear "reporter" tags, a nod to the building's past, making it a perfect spot for young creatives to visit and take photos📷. You can enjoy a cup of coffee☕️ and a meal here, and explore the former newspaper office while waiting for your food. 🌈 Highlights: ✅ First Floor: Featuring Baroque architecture with a white dome and exquisite reliefs, the restaurant displays historical materials and photos of *Shen Bao*. The opulent atmosphere blends with a nostalgic ambiance, evoking the splendor of Shanghai during the Republican era. ✅ Second Floor: Walls are adorned with past issues of *Shen Bao*. There are two meeting rooms, one large and one small, and a cabinet displaying *Shen Bao* brochures. Perhaps Shi Liangcai and the editors held editorial meetings and discussed publication topics in these very rooms. ✅ In the TV series *Romance in the Rain*, the two male protagonists, He Shuhuan and Du Fei, worked as reporters for *Shen Bao*. 🖼️ Historical Figure: Shi Liangcai (January 2, 1880 – November 13, 1934), also known as Jiaxiu, was a prominent businessman, journalist, educator, and newspaper magnate from Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. He became the general manager of *Shen Bao* in 1912 and was assassinated by Nationalist agents at the age of 54. 📍 Location: No. 309 Hankou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 🕐 Opening Hours: 9:30–22:00 🚗 Transportation: Take bus No. 49 or 926, or subway lines 1, 2, 8, or 10.