Dongshankou is a mix of historical buildings, commerce, schools, upscale cafes, galleries and clubs, in a setting of pedestrian-dominated streets and alleys. The photogenic red brick and white balcony mansions attract a steady stream of casual and serious photographers on weekends and holidays.
Dongshankou also has a major concentration of schools, similar to the Taojin area & Huaqiao Xincun area. Meanwhile, Dongshankou's commercial core is packed with a dense array of shops.
Some offices and businesses, often design related, are also moving into the trendy Dongshankou area. The offices, cafes and shops are spreading into adjoining small alleyways, including this one here, as residential uses give way to higher value commercial rents in this prime location.
It's a magnetic area, and so it is with this cache. No need to go up any stairs.