Shanghai French Concession is the most European-style area, with a variety of houses, upscale restaurants and snack shops. Nowadays, the French Concession is mainly located in the two districts of Huangpu District and Xuhui District, close to the public concession (the public concession is composed of the British and American concessions in Shanghai).

In 1849, the French Concession was established, stretching to Pidgin (now Yan’an East Road, Yan’an Middle Road) in the north, Guandi Temple, Zhujia Bridge (near Tibet South Road) in the west, Chenghe (now Renmin Road) in the south and Guangdong Chaozhou Guild Hall (now Near Longtan Road) in the east. In 1899, the French Concession stretched to the west section of Yan’an East Road in the north, Chongqing South Road in the west, Zizhong Road in the south, the first section of Zhonghua Road and Renmin Road in the east. In 1900 and 1907, the French Concession was expanded twice. Eventually, it became the largest concession in Shanghai and even in China.

The residential buildings in the French Concession such as the garden houses, apartments and Lanes all reflect the architectural style of the Chinese and Western cultures in a way. “Shanghai Science Hall” on Nanchang Road is the “French Stadium General Assembly” in the early days of the French Concession. The Shanghai Literary and Artistic Square on the Shaanxi South Road was originally the private garden of the British businessman Maris. Later it became the famous Yiyuan Greyhound Racing Field which the main source of revenue for the French Concession at that time. There are 5 parks in the French Concession – Verdun Park, Betan Park (Hengshan Park), Du Mei Garden (Xiangyang Park), Family Gu Park (Fuxing Park) and Baochang Park.

You can explore the 37 historical buildings on the Wukang Road built in 1907 which is well-known as a Chinese historical and cultural street. It is acclaimed as one of the most European-style neighborhoods in downtown Shanghai. The former residences of Song Meiling, Song Ziwen and Kong Xiangxi are situated on Dongping Road where you will find creative shops and French Buttonwood. You also can visit Orthodox Church of Our Lady – one of the outstanding buildings on Xinle Road.