Concession française

Plane trees, villas and cafés

Shanghai

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The vibe

Plane-tree-shaded streets, Art Deco villas, shikumen houses and cafés: the former French Concession is the most pleasant area for wandering in Shanghai. The lanes of Tianzifang and Xintiandi mix shops, restaurants and period architecture.

Good to know

Rent a dockless bike to ride along Wukang Road and Anfu Road: it’s the best way to see the area.

When to go

Mornings for the cafés, or in autumn when the plane trees turn gold.

Getting there

Metro to South Shaanxi Road (Lines 1, 10, 12) or Shanghai Library (Line 10).

The story

How the neighbourhood came to be

From 1849 to 1943, this area was administered by France. Avenues lined with plane trees, villas and buildings such as the Normandie Apartments, now Wukang Mansion, designed by László Hudec in 1924, were built. The first congress of the Chinese Communist Party met here in 1921, in a house in Xintiandi.

Did you know?

1The area’s plane trees, planted by the French, are known as “French plane trees” to Shanghai residents.
2Shikumen houses, with stone gateways, blend Chinese and Western architecture.

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