Editor's note: Shanghai is promoting the development of the "youth economy", which encompasses products and services shaped by the lifestyles, preferences, and spending habits of younger consumers.

As part of this series, we showcase small and distinctive shops across the city that reflect how young people shop, socialize, and unwind today. This edition focuses on EKA Tianwu in Pudong New Area.

EKA Tianwu

EKA Tianwu is a redeveloped cultural and commercial complex located on the former site of the Shanghai Marine Instrument General Factory. The site traces its history back to the Pudong Customs Factory established in 1869, and later became part of China's maritime instrument industry.

Today, the area has been transformed into a mixed-use complex comprising more than 40 repurposed buildings. Original industrial features, including brick walls, concrete structures, mature trees, and factory layouts, have been preserved and adapted for new uses.

Alongside its industrial heritage, EKA Tianwu introduces a range of architectural styles and spatial concepts, from minimalist and classical forms to courtyard-inspired layouts. The complex also includes galleries and art spaces that host exhibitions, markets, and public events.

In terms of its commercial mix, EKA Tianwu brings together dining, retail, fitness, cultural experiences, offices, hospitality, and creative businesses. It is positioned as an urban destination for younger consumers seeking cultural activities, everyday services, and leisure spaces within a single setting.

Below are several venues that reflect the character of EKA Tianwu.

Change Pro

Founded in October 2024, Change Pro is a large-scale fitness center that emphasizes accessibility and flexible membership. It operates without prepaid packages or sales-driven memberships. Users can renew their membership monthly at a relatively low cost.

The space features a spacious training area, a high-standard interior environment, and professional equipment from international brands such as Nautilus, Hammer Strength, and Eleiko.

Address: Building 3, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

Shu Yan Fu (First Store in East China)

Shu Yan Fu is an immersive dining venue built around traditional Chinese banquet culture, with a focus on Sichuan heritage and aesthetics inspired by the Han (206 BC–AD 220) and Tang (618–907) dynasties.

The restaurant combines dining with live performances, using large-scale visual screens and a multi-level stage to support choreographed shows throughout the meal. Guests dine amid unfolding scenes of dance, music, and theatrical scenes drawn from historical and mythological narratives.

The menu centers on modern Sichuan-style cuisine, presented with creativity and visual flair.

Address: Building 38, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

HaiXing Market

HaiXing Market is a niche multi-brand retail space focused on fragrance and beauty. Around 30 percent of the brands it carries are exclusively represented in China, while approximately half are entering the domestic market for the first time.

Positioned as an experience-led retail concept, each HaiXing Market location is designed in response to its surrounding architecture. At EKA Tianwu, the store incorporates industrial details and arched structures retained from the original site.

The brand emphasizes product quality, brand background, and visual presentation, appealing to consumers interested in discovery-driven shopping rather than mass-market retail.

Address: Building 3, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

Simply This (First store in China)

Simply This is a domestic skincare brand with a research focus on the skin microbiome.

At EKA Tianwu, the space functions as both a retail store and a brand exhibition area. Through displays and interactive elements, visitors are introduced to the brand's research background and product development process, rather than a purely sales-oriented experience.

Address: Building 10, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

LINGX XR Immersive Experience Space

LINGX XR is an immersive entertainment venue built around extended reality technologies. It integrates large-scale XR environments, mixed-reality interactive games, and VR film experiences.

Its flagship programs include original immersive productions such as Babylon Mirage, alongside story-driven experiences inspired by popular Chinese animated films, including Nobody.

Address: Building 28, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

Blan Bunny

Founded in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in 2013, Blan Bunny is a lifestyle brand centered on illustration and design. Its product range includes tea, ceramic tableware, accessories, fragrances, and branded merchandise.

The EKA Tianwu location is the brand's first store to feature an outdoor seating area and a large-scale rabbit sculpture. It also adopts a display style different from its other locations. Many international visitors choose its products as gifts or souvenirs.

Address: Room 114, 1F, Building 9, EKA Tianwu, No 535 Jinqiao Road

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and venues mentioned above