Old Shanghai throws open welcoming arms

Pan Rongda has always been mesmerized by the old neighborhoods in Hongkou district of Shanghai, an area where lanes intertwine, small markets ooze liveliness and shikumen-style houses have remained largely unchanged for more than a century.

The 30-something was born and raised in the area. The area, north of Suzhou Creek, has largely retained its old neighborhoods, a very local area with few skyscrapers and big shopping malls, thus evading tons of tourist groups.

"I love the old feeling here," Pan says. "I grew up in a nongtang (lane in Shanghainese dialect) in the area, and I'd like my guests to experience the localness of the city, too."