Tourist guides tell you to visit Xintiandi in Shanghai. This Xintiandi is full of well-preserved and tastefully renovated Shikumen buildings repurposed into restaurants, coffee shops, up-market shops and bars. When you walk through this you see the beautiful people of Shanghai and foreigners. All very posh, but exactly like any other town center in Europe. Why travel to China if all you want to see is Europe?
The Lilongs on the other side of Xintiandi are more interesting for a tourist with a camera. During my visit I saw two places where crowds had gathered. I nosed in, and saw a very serious card game in progress (photo above). In case you think this drinking and gambling is a man’s thing, think again. The next game had two women!
Luck is serious business in China. I’m told that the colour red is important because it is lucky, and not because it is beautiful.
Don't hold your breath 
I completely agree with you about visiting places in China that are modeled or made in a western style. I was there to see China and it’s uniqueness.
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China is so refreshingly different. Thanks
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