Shanghai French Concession

The French Concession in Shanghai is vast, stretching roughly eight kilometers, so it’s important to wear good walking shoes and plenty of sunscreen before you head on your journey.

• Location: The Xuhui and Luwan districts on the west side of the Huang Pu River
• Opening hours: Since the French Concession is made of public streets, visitors can explore it at any time, but many historic homes, establishments, and museums will have visitor hours.
• Entrance Ticket: The costs for different museums and tourist attractions within the Shanghai French Concession will vary, but there is no cost to visit the general area.

A building with Western styles in French Concession

The Shanghai French Concession is the brainchild of Charles de Montigny, who originally envisioned it as a spot for the French residents of Shanghai to live. Still, since its development in 1849, it’s become much more than that.

Visitors will see a fusion of Chinese and European buildings, stroll through stately streets shaded in enormous trees, and enjoy architecture you can’t see anywhere else in the city. One prominent design style is Shikumen, notable for its elaborate stonework, particularly around door frames and handsome wooden doors. In the Shanghai French Concession, you’ll find many buildings with traditional Chinese stonework and Western details.

A house in the French Concession

The French Concession is also home to many significant historic buildings, and no walking tour of this area of Shanghai is complete without seeing at least some of them. We can help you put together a walking tour and daily itinerary that allows you to make the most out of your day in the Shanghai French Concession.

Located on historic Sinan Road, this beloved mansion complex contains 51 buildings and a massive outdoor museum where you can see the interplay of architecture and nature. It gives visitors a peek into upper-class Shanghainese life in the 1920s and is also an excellent spot to grab a quick bite to eat or rest your feet. It’s also free to visit, and you don’t need a ticket.

Moller Villa is on Shanxi South Road. It’s a charming European villa with beautiful steepled roofs and a fairytale feel that’s now one of the best boutique hotels in the city. Even if you don’t stay at the Moller Villa, you can enjoy the decadent coffee bar, which offers lovely views of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Old French Concession Streets

Exploring the Shanghai French Concession will take most people the better part of a day, especially as several nearby streets offer plenty of historical buildings, excellent shopping, and more architecture to marvel at. Several of Shanghai’s most famous people, including Song Ching Line, Sun Yat-sen, and Zhou Enlai, made this city area their home.

A corner on the street in French Concession

Huaihai Road is a delightful blend of culture, history, and some of Shanghai’s best shopping. Huaihai Road is where you want to be for epic shopping, especially for higher-end retail items. You can also grab a coffee and stroll through the well-appointed streets, taking in the old-school culture and charm of one of Shanghai's French Concession’s first streets.

You’ll find Soong Ching Ling and Sun Yat-sen’s former residence at 1843 Middle Huaihai Road. Ching Ling was the Vice President and Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China between 1948 and 1963, and her home is largely considered one of the most beautiful and historic places in the district. It spans over 4,300 square meters, and you can explore the main building and front and back gardens. This residence is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., all days except for Mondays, and tickets cost 20 RMB.

The gate of Tianzifang

This highly artistic destination is the perfect spot to find that hidden gem coffee shop, explore obscure art galleries, and surround yourself with famous Shikumen-style architecture. Many of these buildings remain intact, making it an excellent spot for taking photos. You can also find some unique fashion and souvenirs on Tianzifang.

Sinan Road

One of the most popular destinations near the Shanghai French Concession, Sinan Road is home to famous Sinan mansions, authentic shops, coffee and teahouses, and restaurants. Many Shanghai celebrities and politicians, like Zhou Enlai, have called Sinan Road their home, so you’ll see plenty of stately mansions as you stroll along this street.

Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, and his distinctive three-story house is at 73 Sinan Road. You can tour the home for free between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and pay homage to Enlai and his accomplishments.

Sun Yat-sen was a luminary of the Chinese democratic revolution, and his historic and stately European-style home is one of the highlights near Sinan Road. It’s located at 7 Xiangshan Road and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s only open on Mondays on national holidays. Tickets cost 20 RMB.

Stone sculptures in Xintiandi

Xintiandi is another excellent place to see Shikumen-style, especially on the South Block, where it’s almost like stepping back in time to 1920s China. You’ll also find incredible shopping in Xintiandi at the modern shopping mall, which features international and artisan goods.

If you want to marvel at Shanghai’s ability to fuse natural elements into cityscapes, head to Hengshan Road. The tree-lined streets and lovely courtyard homes are well worth seeing on their own, but Hengshan Road is also an excellent place to go for a bite to eat or take in some live music.

Wukang Mansion on Wukang Road

Wukang Road has several older buildings that fuse European and Chinese styles, plus several religiously significant buildings, like an international church. You’ll also find many sophisticated boutiques and authentic spots to grab a mid-day meal.

The Great World, a historic building in Shanghai

You can explore the highlights of the French Concession in three to four hours if you’re walking at a leisurely pace and stopping to take photographs. We advise that you begin your journey at Hengshan Road, walking towards Wukang Road. Then, you’ll want to visit the cosmopolitan district of Huahai Road, where you can see the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence. Afterward, head to Sinan Road to tour the Former Residence of Zhou Enlai and finish in Tianzifang, where you can relax at one of the district’s charming cafes.