French Concession in Shanghai - Shanghai Frenchtown

The Shanghai French Concession, also known as the French Town, was a former foreign concession in Shanghai during the period of 1849 to 1946. It includes the area of Luwan and Xuhui District, which has always been Shanghai's most charming district.

Shanghai French Concession

The French Concession was the earliest, biggest, and most prosperous Concession in Shanghai.

This area is the center of Catholicism in Shanghai, as well as the premier residential and retail districts of Shanghai. It is also a very popular tourist destination for both Chinese and foreigners.

With its peaceful, picturesque, tree-lined streets, this area retains an air of the "Paris of the East". At the same time, many of the small backstreets still have a very local feel.

It's one of the most popular parts of town for expats, especially Hengshan Lu and the Fumin/Changle crossroads.

Xintiandi and Shanghai Art Street Tianzifang are also in the French Concession. Walking around these two places, you can get an idea of the traditional Shanghai lifestyle, as well as enjoy Shanghai's traditional buildings.

In the French Concession, Sun Yat-sen drew up plans for a modern unified China and Mao Zedong helped to found the Chinese Communist Party. On the east side of Xintiandi, Xingye Lu, you can visit the site of the First National Congress of CPC.

How to get there

Location: Luwan District and Xuhui District

By Subway: Line 9, Shanxi Nan Lu Station, and Xujiahui Station.

Explore Old French Concession Streets

Julu Rd, Huaihai Rd, Maoming Rd, Changle Rd, Xinle Rd.

Features: interesting architectural buildings showing mixed Chinese-European styles. boutiques and restaurants, and small designer clothing shops.

Old French Concession Streets

Former Residence of Celebrities

Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence

7 Xiangshan Rd. The house was the Shanghai residence of Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching Ling from 1918-1937. It is now a museum telling the story of the revolutionary father of China's republic.

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

73 Sinan Rd, Luwan District. It was the former Shanghai Office of the Delegation of the Communist Party in China from June 1946. It is now a museum telling the story of the Communist revolution in China and particularly Shanghai.

Song Ching Ling's Former Residence

Huaihai Middle Rd, Xujiahui District. It has been converted into a memorial museum with many artifacts. Soong Ching Ling was the former vice chairman of the People's Republic of China.

Pictures of Frenchtown

Xintiandi: Interesting place in the East French Concession.

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