This may be a tough question, but...
 

Can anyone draw an analogy between NYC's West Village/Chelsea artsy-type area and Times Square/Theater/Glitzy area to similar neighborhoods in Beijing? Shanghai?
What I am trying to ascertain is are some neighborhoods much "hipper, artsier" than some others which may be mainly franchises/KFC/McDonald's type?

Although I am very familiar with all 3 cities, I am not sure if I am of much help, the interpretation of hip and artsy is different in different countries. Beijing and Shanghai is not laid out like Manhattan, there is not one area that is hipper, artsier than another, most areas/districts are pretty blended.

By the way, when the chinese visit NYC, they think Times Square/5th Avenue was cool and West Village was boho (yes, cool and boho have been adopted into the chinese language!)

Shanghainese:
The reason I asked was that I read somewhere on a Travel Forum that a certain area of Beijing was likened to "Times Square" in a less than complimentary way.

I think some of the side streets that have artists and funky clothes shops are in the French concession of Shanghai. I am originally from NY so this is how I felt about it. Its had a fun arty vibe.

Times SQ in shanghai??? Nah cant make a comparison.

KFC has infiltrated everywhere along with starbucks in China. I was horrified to see both in the Yu Yuan Gardens...when i was a student there we had NO western places like them in the 90's...ok just 1 vile KFC in Shanghai and it was awful then.

Oh my, SiobhanP, that KFC was designed by my DS and built by her DH, they regret not buying the franchise because the owner did extremely well.

Shanghainese this was about 92 and there was only 1 KFC and it was the only western fast food place I knew of...I remember getting mashed potato and gravy as I dont eat chicken and I could not eat it as it tasted like someone dumped a vat of salt into it. Its was very cool to be seen there back then. Not sure where this was in comparison to the city today. She should have bought it!!! Ah well who would know. Is this the one you mean? I feel the new ones in Yu Yuan ruin the place. It is so lovely wandering around and all the Chinese dumpling and food places. But I guess thats globalisation!

lollylo25 -

I didn't get to the Artsy area of Beijing, but did spend a lovely afternoon in a part of the French Concession in Shanghai, which might fit the bill. Ask for Taicong Street, and then walk along until you come to the "Art Alley." The description can be found in my trip report under Shanghai:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=27

As a native New Yorker I can tell you that there's no area in either city that makes me think of Times Square (where I was yesterday!)

Hope this helps and have a great trip!

Linda

P.S. Shanghainese - Your DS was going to buy a Starbucks franchise and didn't???