School days once more

Looking back

People born in the 1980s were the first generation to be affected by the family planning policy. They grew up with no siblings and spent their childhood witnessing China's opening up, seeing the country's rapid development happen right in front of their eyes. They grew up along with China's growth. Surrounded by Coca-Cola, video games and pop music, they were influenced by their parents' traditional values but at the same time, children of the technology revolution. Their unique experiences have left many deeply nostalgic for their childhoods.

In recent years, nostalgia has become big business, with shops selling toys, snacks and cartoon books from the 1990s and classroom-themed restaurants appealling to the post-80s generation. Customers are able to indulge in memories of their childhood when surrounded by those familiar items.

The following are three places in Shanghai for people wanting to step back in time.

The Hope primary school 希望小學堂

This was the first nostalgia themed restaurant in Shanghai targeted specifically at people born after 1980 to recollect their childhood memories while having a meal with friends.

The small restaurant is decorated as an old-style classroom with a blackboard, wooden desks and chairs. Customers can order traditional dishes served in retro dinnerware from a menu designed to look like a school test. Waiters dress like students and teachers in primary school.

After enjoying dinner, customers are welcome to play with the games and chess games from the 1980s and listen to songs from popular cartoons of the era.

Address: 214 Kunshan Road, Hongkou district 虹口區昆山路214號

Telephone: 021-3653-3763

Opening hours: 11 am–9 pm