Memory of Shanghai VIII: Shanghai French Concession

Remembered as the famous ladies of old shanghai, shanghai french concession is one of the impressive memories of Chinese. What was it and what is it now? We will talk about it in the chapter.

                                                       Chapter Eight


                                       Paris of the East --Shanghai French Concession

The French Concession was the earliest, biggest and most prosperous Concession in Shanghai. It’s also known as French town which was a former foreign concession in Shanghai during the period of 1849 to 1946.

Shanghai French Concession is in old-Shanghai romance with the convenience of downtown living which stretching from Yanan Lu (road) in the north, Zhaojiabang Lu in the south, Huashan Lu in the west and Xizang Nan Lu to the east. 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. 

                                 Yesterday of Shanghai French Concession

The history of the French Concession is the history of foreign involvement in modern China. After the Chinese loss of the Opium Wars in 1842, Shanghai, among other cities, were forced to open themselves as international “ports of call.”

Old Shanghai

In the mid 19th century after the first Opium War, Shanghai became a large center for foreign trade and in 1849 the French Consul to China, Charles de Montigny signed an agreement with a senior local official to create a French Concession for French businessmen and traders to live. Over the next hundred years the area became home to many nationalities such as British, American, Russian and Chinese. 

Like the International Settlement, The French Settlement had its own code of laws and enforcement and was a de facto sovereign nation. Entrance by local Chinese was strictly limited to the affluent and influential and, in fact, many Chinese leftist artists and intellectuals made the French Concession their home. Nevertheless, the French ran their own municipal counsel and named all the streets after French generals, martyred soldiers, and other famous personalities. 

In the 1930s, Shanghai and the French Concession were at the height of their glamour and also decadence. Then it was also well known as center for brothels, gambling, and opium. During the second world war in 1943, a deal was made with the Chinese government to give control back to China along with French concessions in other Chinese cities, ending all French control in China. 

The occupation by western culture has given the area a wonderful mixture of both European and Chinese architecture. It may cause surprise to see old large European buildings in the middle of China's biggest city. 

                                    Today of Shanghai French Concession

Besides its historical and religious factors, today the area is still the most graceful part of Shanghai and a fantastic place for spending leisure time-- the most rewarding district for walks and bike rides. You can spend hours wandering the narrow alleyways, dining and one of the million cafes or restaurants, or browsing through the endless art galleries and photographic studios.

Today of Shanghai French Concession

Actually, the French Concession today is one of the most popular places in Shanghai to visit. Especially popular with Shanghai's middle and upper class residents, a wealth of cafes, restaurants and shops will have you wandering the area for an entire day with ease. The most famous and wealthy area in the French Concession is Xintiandi, which is known for its Shanghai architecture, its art galleries, designer boutiques, cafes and eateries. The large choice of pubs and clubs at night will provide an entertaining time for all. 

Characterized by an intriguing mix of low-rise, architectural styles dating from the colonial-era, this area boasts quaint boutiques and galleries, an endless supply of stylish bars and restaurants, plus easy access to metro stations and Huaihai Lu, ' the hub of Shanghai' s shopping scene. To the south-west of the area are Xujiahui's mega-shopping and leisure malls. All these factors combine to make Xuhui and Luwan, the two areas proper that make up the French Concession, an extremely desirable, world-class lifestyle package.

                                    Sites in Shanghai French Concession

1. Site of the 1st national congress of the CCP: On 23 July 1921 the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in this French Concession building, propelling this unassuming shikumen block into one of Chinese communism's holiest shrines.

Sun Yat-sen drew up plans for a modern unified China and Mao Zedong helped to found the Chinese Communist Party. The site of the First National Congress of CPC is at east side of Xintiandi, Xingye Lu.

There is plenty of Marxist spin in the museum commentary, just in case you had forgotten that Shanghai is actually part of the world's largest communist country. There's not all that much to see here, but historians will appreciate the site as a defining moment in modern Chinese history.

Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence

2. Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence: at 7 Xiangshan Rd. The house was the Shanghai residence of Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching-ling from 1918-1937. It’s now a museum which tells the story of the revolutionary father of China's republic. 

3. Zhou Enlai's Former Residence: at 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. 

--Are you ready to walking or cycling in Shanghai French Concession now? This “Paris of the East” is waiting for your discovery!