Former French Concession

The French Concession was a foreign concession in Shanghai, China from 1849 to 1946, and it was progressively expanded between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The concession period ended in 1943 when the Vichy French government signed it over to the pro-Japanese puppet government in Nanjing (Nanking).

The area covered by the former French Concession in the 20th century was the premier residential and retail district of Shanghai and was also the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Despite rampant re-development over the last few decades, the area retains a distinct character and is a popular tourist destination.

History

French Concession was built on April 6, 1849, after China’s loss in the Opium Wars in 1842. Shanghai, among other cities, was forced to open itself as an international “port of call.” In 1849, the government of Shanghai conceded a large segment of land to the French consulate.

The land was expanded a few times in 1936 and consisted of today’s Xuhui and Luwan districts. Within the concession area, it had its laws and enforcement. Entrance by local Chinese was strictly limited. During that period, many Chinese artists and intellectuals took the French concession as their home. American and British settlers also flooded into this area in the 1920’s. In the wake of the Russian Revolution, many Russians also moved into this area. In such land allotment, opium and gambling were the main businesses in 1the 930’s.

In 1937, the Japanese army invaded Shanghai and many residents left the city. During World War II, many remaining Shanghai residents were forced to stay at camps built by the Japanese. After 1946, the Japanese army was forced out of Shanghai and most foreign concessions were officially closed.

After the founding of New China, all foreign firms moved to Hong Kong until the 1980’s when foreign firms gradually rebuilt their offices in China.

Attraction in French Concession

Shanghai's French Concession was one of the earliest concessions established in modern China and was also very large in area, making it impossible to visit all the places within it. Let's take a look at some of the attractions in the French Concession.

1. Tianzifang

Tianzifang also known as Lane 210, is tucked away off Taikang Road, part of the French Concession in Shanghai. Though it has become a hot destination for foreign tourists, meaning sometimes it is crowded, it is still a nice place to visit.

The place is similar to its neighbor Xintiandi, with revamped shikumen buildings. Numerous bars, cafes, and interesting small stores with fun shop-keepers, dotted around different narrow alleys of this big maze, offer a space for travelers to get lost in a couple of hours. However, different from Xintiandi, which has a polished new look, Tianzifang shows most of its original appearance to the public.

Some special art workshops owned by famous artists in China and other countries add a bohemian feeling, and the local people who still live there (and electricity cables strung overhead) give it a more real and cordial feeling.

Our Top Picks

Tianzifang now has a range of over 200 small businesses, like restaurants and art galleries. If you want to grab some bites in this area, a couple of hours are needed. If you just want to wander around and get lost, an hour or so is ok. Though things there are a bit pricey, you will still have an enjoyable time there just looking around. Below are the top places to go to in this big maze.

Tips

• Avoid going in the holidays when it is very crowded.
• If you don't bring your purse/wallet, at least take your camera to Tianzifang, a place full of surprising scenes.
• Besides places of business, there are still some residents living there. Don’t enter residential houses mistakenly.
• Some shops do not permit you to take photos, even of the exterior.
• Buy a map at the entrance to guide your visit. There is a Shanghai Tourism Center at the entrance where visitors can ask for information and get some brochures.
• Tianzifang is near Sinan Road, which is a street full of former residences of celebrities. You could combine Sinan Road with a visit to Tianzifang.

Getting There

• Add: Lane 210, Huangpu District, Shanghai
• Admission: Free
• Getting there: Take bus 17, 236, or 304 to Ruijin Er Lu on Jianguo Zhong Lu, or take Subway Line 9 to Dapuqiao, and leave by Exit 1.

2. Wu Kang Road

Wu Kang Road is a small one-way road in Shanghai's Xuhui district. Like some other small roads in the district, Wu Kang Road offers a view of the old-style Shanghai as well as the modern. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other at a leisurely pace. The Street starts at Huaihai Rd with the historic V-shape Wukang landmark and ends at Anfu Rd near the Shanghai Drama Institute.

The road is well known for its beautiful trees and old villas. On both sides, you will see 'Wutong' trees which come together to form a sort of arc over the road. The old villas and residential areas are one of the road's main tourist features. They are mostly of Spanish and French style. These unique buildings reflect the foreign influence on the city in its time of prosperity. Occasionally you will find people growing their vegetables in large gardens.

Strolling along this small road belies being in a large and modern city like Shanghai. The road was previously named Route Ferguson, in honor of the American missionary John Calvin Ferguson who was sent to China at the turn of the 20th century.

The area used to be situated within the French Concession and was bordered by Western-style buildings. In recent years, many newly built Spanish villas have been built, adding to the road's popularity as a sightseeing spot for tourists.

During the mid-20th century, the road was also home to many Chinese celebrities, including the Chinese literary figure Ba Jin, singer/ star Zhou Xuan as well as actor and film director Sun Daolin.

Along the road are other beautiful roads that connect with Wu Kang Rd. They have similar striking features many of which are worth exploring in themselves.

Roads like Wu Kang hold many old memories reflect the old culture and way of life in the city and offer a glimpse into Shanghai's history. Wu Kand Road is now recognized as one of China's historical and cultural roads.

3 . Old French Concession Streets

Old French Concession Streets lined with trees is a bustling area, combined with a growing number of trendy boutiques and restaurants. Changle Road and Xinle Road are rapidly becoming places to find small designer clothing shops. Interesting architecture built with French and Belgian venture investments and showing mixed Chinese-European styles.

4. Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence

Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence was built in 1843 at Huaihai Middle Rd, Xujiahui District. Today there's a small museum with many artifacts, largely about the politics of China, leading up to the official founding of the PRC. The nearby house is on two levels and contains many original items and pictures. The grounds are very well maintained and there's a garage with a few formerly state-used cars as well.

5. Fuxing Park

Fuxing Park is located at 105 Fuxing Zhong Rd. This European Style Park, formerly known as French Park, is a popular park with gardens, open spaces, restaurants, and clubs dotted throughout. Early in the morning, the park is filled with dancers, card and majiang players, tai chi artists, and singing groups.

6. Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery

Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery is located at 180 Longhua Lu. Nowadays very few people are buried here, so it's more of a memorial garden and museum but the acreage is beautiful and large. Longhua Temple, next to Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery's south gate, is one of the city's less-visited temples.