It was interesting to learn that qilou shop houses were introduced to China during the European colonial era. One of my favorite streets in Shanghai near Yu Garden was lined with these types of buildings. As of a couple of years ago: nearly all the qilou buildings on that particular street have been razed in the name of progress. I can't remember the name of the street, but I liked to visit often when the street was thriving and lined with music stores. The side streets there were also full of rhythms of life.
