Reinventing Life and Style in the Heart of Jing'an

Maria Power is a Greek-born entrepreneur and creative spirit who has called Shanghai home for nearly two decades. As the founder of the fashion label Marilla Parissa and the event design company Eventing, she has built her life around transforming ideas and raw materials into something both beautiful and lasting. From her base in Jing'an, one of Shanghai's most dynamic districts, Maria embraces the city's energy, balancing her professional ventures with personal passions like gardening, cooking and fitness. Her story is one of reinvention, creativity, and finding inspiration in the vibrant fabric of Shanghai life.

Q: Could you introduce the neighborhood you live in?

I live in the heart of Jing'an, a district that captures Shanghai's blend of the historic and the hyper-modern. My apartment is on the iconic Nanjing Road W., where I can see the glittering skyline and major malls like Reel Mall from my window. Yet, just steps away are historic landmarks like the ancient Jing'an Temple and the magnificent Shanghai Exhibition Center.

Beyond these icons, the neighborhood is filled with charming, tree-lined streets where everyday local life unfolds. There are excellent cafés, a mix of local and international restaurants, lively cocktail bars and plenty of green spaces that offer peaceful escapes from the city buzz. To me, Jing'an offers the best of both worlds: the thrilling energy of a global city balanced with rich history, serene parks and every modern comfort imaginable.

Q: What's the best thing about living in this neighborhood?

What I love most is the freedom to explore on foot. My neighborhood is truly a walker's paradise. My daily life flows seamlessly – a short stroll takes me to the gym, to dinner at a favorite restaurant, or to a cozy café to meet friends. Within 20 minutes, I can be on Kangding Road or Fumin Road for a meal, or Julu Road for a spa day.

I love how wandering often leads to new discoveries in little "pockets" of the neighborhood. Everything I need is within walking distance or just a quick Didi ride away – that sense of effortless convenience is what makes Jing'an so special.

Q: What attraction here should not be missed?

For any visitor, the Jing'an Temple (1686 Nanjing Rd W. 南京西路1686号) is a must-see. Dating back over 780 years, its golden roofs shimmer in the sunlight, a perfect symbol of Shanghai's blend of the ancient and ultra-modern. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants, it's also easy to turn a temple visit into a perfect day out.

Another favorite is the Shanghai Natural History Museum (510 Beijing Rd W. 北京西路510号), spread over five themed floors. Right outside, the Jing'an Sculpture Park (128 Shimen No. 2 Rd 石门二路128号) offers beautifully landscaped grounds and striking sculptures. Together, they make an ideal two-in-one cultural destination.

Q: Each person may have different tastes, but they all want a great cafe. What's your favorite cafe near home?

It's hard to pick just one – Shanghai is known as the Global Capital of Coffee Shops! One of my regular spots is Cute Cube (980 Wuding Rd 武定路980号), conveniently located across from my Pilates studio. It's cozy, with excellent coffee and freshly baked pastries. My favorite order is an iced oat milk latte with cheese stick bread – the perfect post-workout treat.

Jing'an is filled with such gems: Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to read, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a well-made coffee, there's always a café to match your mood.

Q: Where should someone eat around here?

Jing'an is a food lover's paradise, with endless options from local eateries to international dining. Trying a new place every day would still leave you with more to explore!

Some of my favorites include:

Pistolera (1276 Nanjing Rd W. 南京西路1276号): Our go-to for a casual, relaxing Mexican meal, not least because it's close to our apartment. The food and service are consistently great, with a cozy, pet-friendly atmosphere. I sometimes bring my two "boys" cats along.

DaMarco (103 Dongzhu'anbang Rd 东诸安浜路103号): A classic Italian restaurant that's been around for 25 years and was one of the first we visited when we moved to Shanghai. It offers authentic cuisine with a warm, family-style atmosphere. I highly recommend the octopus salad and salt-baked fish.

Bastard (Rm 102, No. 30, Lane 319 Jiaozhou Rd 胶州路319弄30号102): Contemporary Chinese with Sichuan, Yunnan, and Western influences – a true "East meets West" concept. Their mushroom dish is an absolute favorite.

And of course, the Fumin Road area is packed with more great dining options – it's impossible to go wrong.

Q: From high fashion to emerging designers, from flowers to fresh produce, where do you shop in your neighborhood?

Jing'an offers incredible variety when it comes to shopping. For high fashion, I head to Plaza 66, also more curated but equally impressive selections can be found at Reel Mall, or Jing An Kerry Center – these spaces go beyond retail, blending art, culture and food.

For everyday needs, international supermarkets like City Super and Ole' stock specialty imports, while smaller local markets offer the freshest produce and flowers. Like many Shanghai residents, I also rely on Eleme for instant delivery – from a single coffee to a week's groceries, everything arrives in minutes.

This mix of luxury malls, authentic markets and digital convenience is what makes shopping in Jing'an so effortless.

Q: Is there a neighborhood place you recommend for a night out or simply a drink after work?

I love the variety in Jing'an's nightlife. For something cozy, Sakaba Malabar (1081 Wuding Rd 武定路1081号) and Cas Bar (1089 Wuding Rd 武定路1089号) on Wuding Road are great for unwinding after work. For margaritas with friends, Cantina Agave (A106, 291 Fumin Rd 富民路291号1楼A106) is always a hit, while Atelier (A109, 291 Fumin Rd 富民路291号A109) offers more refined cocktails in a chic setting. Whatever the mood, there's always the perfect spot nearby.

Q: Have you made any new discoveries in your neighborhood lately?

Yes! Recently I discovered the PAC Shopping Center (688 Changed Rd 常德路688号), a new mixed-use hub with stylish retail and a fantastic dining scene. I've tried Uni Sushi (L1, 688 Changde Rd 常德路688号L1) for Japanese omakase and Sultan (801 Wuding Rd 武定路801号) for Turkish fare, and I'm excited to explore more options like Italian, Spanish and Chinese. The design is thoughtful, with fountains, greenery and plenty of outdoor seating – creating an urban oasis that's both family- and pet-friendly. To me, PAC is a perfect example of Shanghai's spirit: a city that's always evolving and offering something new.