Shanghai Daily News

Life Hub@Daning is a multifunctional shopping center in the middle of Zhabei District. Since opening last month, it has became the focus of area residents for its new concept in shopping, living, working and entertainment.

In its 55,000-square-meter ground area there are 15 buildings and 11 small plazas for offices, hotels, retail and restaurants. It has been designed to combine a healthy lifestyle concept with complete urban life services, including office space, leisure facilities and shopping, as well as for family life and education.

Lifeztore Creative Furniture from Hong Kong and Wing Cafe, among others, are all tenants. C&A department store from Germany will open soon.

The ever-increasing flow of customers to this shopping mecca in the city's northern reaches has proven its popularity; residents are enjoying the convenience of not having to travel long distances to downtown shopping areas. Here are a few new and fun places to explore at Daning.

Central Plaza

If you are stressed out by shopping for daily necessities, the Life Hub provides a good place to kick back and relax. The open-air plaza features outlets of the popular Blue Frog and Red Bar establishments that offer food and drink throughout the day.

Each night, the Red Bar features live music that creates a warm atmosphere for those chilly winter nights. The mood at Blue Frog, in contrast, is cool beats, a slick decor and good place to meet friends.

The plaza also features a main stage for big events at the Life Hub for such functions as ceremonies, art and tourism festivals and all kinds of seasonal activities.

A parade for the 2006 Shanghai Tourism Festival recently attracted a large crowd that congested the whole area. More activities in Daning are planned for each weekend and everybody is welcome

Address: 1868 Gonghexin Road

Arts and education

These activities are the main functions that distinguish the hub from other business centers. The Shanghai Drama Center's program that is being conducted in cooperation with France, will soon begin its recruitment for part-time students. It will also offer a Masters' degree in dance starting the next school year.

Art Salon, another focus of Daning, has been created to encourage local artists and art students by exhibiting their works in its galleries and halls, and even on the streets. Currently, the streets of the Life Hub features sculptures by art students, depicting a little boy and girl riding a horse wearing high-heel shoes.

The Mingjun Book Store club on the fourth floor of the No. 8 building is another popular gathering place as it features an activity hall for use by its approximately 150,000 club members around the city.

Address: 1968 Gonghexin Road

Wing Cafe

Life Hub features about 50 restaurants and all are inviting. One, that particularly stands out, is Wing Cafe, fusion cuisine from Hunan Province.

This cafe is part of a chain that operates four restaurants in the central China province and is the first to open locally. Its menu features items that mix Western, Southeast Asian and Chinese flavors, providing a new dining experience.

Since 2000, Wing has annually held themed food festivals highlighting a specific country under the slogan of "To travel with food." Thailand is the focus this year. The exotic fare is complimented by light background music and a stylish, modern decor enhanced by an abundance of plants, rockery and moving lights projected on the wall.

Price: About 60 yuan (US$7.5) for a person

Address: 1868 Gonghexin Road

CGV Cinema

While most of the city's cinemas have nice facilities comparable to CGV's few offer such a low admission. Each day before noon, a ticket is 20 yuan for adults and 35 yuan at other times, half the usual price. The cinema's manager surnamed Piao, said the low price was offered with the aim to attract more people to the cinema. "Cinemas should be a place that everybody can afford," he said.

The CGV Daning branch is the first foray by a South Korean cinema chain into China's mainland. The cineplex has six halls that each boast a 250 capacity. The small halls guarantee that every one of the comfortable, state-of-the-art seats has a good view. There is also a 38-seat VIP lounge with free coffee and its own cinema.

Address: 1878 Gonghexin Road

Tel: 5665-1212

Lifeztore Concept Store and Children's Shopping Center

A shopping area for children and family needs is a unique feature of this store which has opened its first mainland branch. It exhibits "functional and oriwest (Oriental and Western)" designs from Hong Kong designers and artists. The items are designed to be fun and useful and a mix of Western- Asian style. Their imaginative goods are divided into five categories - lamps and candles in the "fire" category, metal utensils, wood furniture and clay vessels in the "earth" category.

The children's shopping center provides an indoor amusement park which many adults looking to relive their childhood will undoubtedly find fun. A music school and a center to test children's IQ will also open soon.

Address: 1968 Gonghexin Road