Embracing the Mountain and Sea Culture in the Magic City of Shanghai
This project is an integration of Lin Fusion’s Taizhou cuisine with the regional characteristics of East China Sea. Drawing inspiration from the fantastical world depicted in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (also know as Shanhaijing), the design extracts and simplifies the symbols of Eastern mythical creatures, using modern materials and techniques to craft vibrant art installations that convey auspicious meanings.
JACKY.W DESIGN moves beyond stereotypical interpretations of Oriental traditions, employing contemporary design techniques, innovative materials, and artistic expressions to interpret the spatial narrative, evoking new modern Oriental charm. Located in the magic city of Shanghai, the project offers a gourmet feast, immersing guests in an unforgettable journey of mountain and sea culture.
The water flows gently, mountains and islands rise majestically; Mythical creatures roam, flowers bloom in splendor.
01
Reception Foyer
An Oceanic Welcome
Upon entering the foyer, guests are greeted by fishing net-inspired dynamic lighting overhead, harmonized with the blue fishing net motif on the floor. This creates an instant immersion in a marine ambiance. The reception desk, inspired by ocean waves and islands, features a mirrored water-patterned surface reflecting LED light strips that simulate swimming fish, embodying the restaurant’s “mountain and sea culture” design concept. The circular reception foyer seamlessly connects to various functional areas, guiding guests toward a delightful dining journey.
02
Open Dining Area
Expansive Views
Guests traverse a long corridor illuminated with light art, which evokes the feeling of an underwater wonderland. The corridor is flanked by private dining rooms, each themed around mythical beasts from Shanhaijing. Upon reaching the open dining area, a bar counter crafted from translucent stones immediately commands attention, serving as the centerpiece of the space. The open seating area offers expansive views of Shanghai’s iconic skyline, including the World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower. Here, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the charm of mountain and sea culture, beautifully fused with the urban landscape.
03
Private Rooms
A Curated Mythical Journey
Private Room 1: Dijiang
Without a specific form, skilled in song and dance
Dijiang, a sacred bird of the Tianshan Mountains in ancient Chinese mythology, is described in Shanhaijing as a formless being resembling a yellow cloth bag, red as fire, with six legs and four wings. Despite lacking ears, eyes, mouth, or nose, it excels at song and dance. In this room, holographic projection technology recreates the image of Dijiang, immersing guests in an audio-visual feast.
Private Room 2: Fusang
Fusang grows where the sun rises, two trees nurturing each other
According to the ancient mythical geographic book Shizhouji, Fusang has leaves like mulberry trees, reaching a height of over 2,000 meters, with two trees growing from the same root, leaning against each other. In the room, the sacred Fusang tree is represented through an artistic chandelier and printmaking art, with the interplay of bright space and mirrored reflections amplifying the theme.
Private Room 3: Biyiniao
Fly in pair and sing in harmony, soaring through mountains, seas, and rivers
As described in Shanhaijing, Biyiniao are mythical birds with one eye and one wing each, that must attach to one another and fly in pairs. They symbolize eternal love and beautiful visions. This compact room, ideal for couples or small gatherings, feature light wood tones, high-gloss wood, and pink jade to create an intimate atmosphere.
Private Room 4: Luan Bird
The colorful Luan Bird heralds good fortune
Luan Bird is a legendary creature from ancient China, with its origins in Luanzhou. It is known for its vibrant, multicolored feathers and symbolizes peace and good fortune, as well as being an envoy of spring. In this room, the Luan Bird is reimagined through a colorful, gold-wire chandelier and hand-painted mountain and sea landscapes. The design subtly merges modern techniques with classical Chinese elements, highlighting a modern Oriental style.
Private Room 5: Xuangui (Twisting Turtle)
The turtle rotates with the water, symbolizing longevity
In Shanhaijing, the Xuangui is described as a mythical creature with the body of a turtle and the head of a bird, symbolizing Mother Earth, abundance, power, and longevity. This room uses dark wood veneers to create a solemn tone, with semi-transparent screens enclosing an elegant space. The symbolic presence of Xuangui enhances the room’s mysterious and solemn atmosphere.
Private Room 6: Kun Peng
The Kun is so vast, its size unknown
In Chuang Tzu’s A Happy Excursion, it is said: “In the northern ocean there is a fish, called the Kun, I do not know how many thousand li in size. This Kun changes into a bird, called the Peng. Its back is I do not know how many thousand li in breadth.” The largest private room, themed around Kun Peng, uses motifs of flowing waves and the sea to metaphorically evoke the immeasurable grandeur of Kun Peng.
As night falls, the 270-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the flowing water-like wall, echoing the dynamic wave-inspired art installation above the dining table, immersing guests in an oceanic experience. The graceful lattice is adorned with culturally rich artworks. A renowned red-and-blue chair is placed at the best photo spot, capturing the iconic Shanghai skyline in the background, enhancing the room’s sophisticated business and social appeal.
Private Room 7: Phoenix
The king of birds, the Phoenix’s song symbolizes auspiciousness
The Phoenix, known as “Fenghuang” in ancient Chinese mythology, is a sacred bird, representing the union of male and female. The male is called Feng and the female is called Huang. It is revered as one of the most important totems in Chinese culture.
The room blends vibrant colors with a modern Oriental style, invoking the auspicious symbolism of the Phoenix. Traditional Chinese furniture is integrated with modern artistic techniques, such as glossy lacquer finishes, to create an inclusive and fashionable atmosphere.
