Shanghai is a very big city with tall buildings and bright lights. But inside this busy place, there is one area that feels slow and calm — the French Concession. Here you can walk under green trees, drink coffee in small cafés, and see old houses that look like Europe. Many travelers and locals love this part of the city.
This guide will help you with where to stay and eat in Shanghai’s French Concession, and how to enjoy a walk there.
The French Concession is located in the Xuhui and Huangpu districts, west of the Bund. It was first created in 1849 and lasted until the 1940s. Today, it is one of the most popular areas for walking, shopping, and dining. Travelers visit here to enjoy both Shanghai’s modern life and its old European charm.
Why Visit the French Concession?
The French Concession began in 1849 when the first French migrants arrived in Shanghai, and it lasted until the 1940s during World War II. They built wide roads, houses, and gardens. Today, you can still see their style.
This area feels different from the rest of Shanghai. The streets are quiet, full of cafés, art shops, and fashion stores. It is the best place to take a slow walk, enjoy food, and see both Chinese and European cultures together.
Where to Stay
There are many hotels inside or near the French Concession. If you stay here, you can enjoy it more.
- Jin Jiang Hotel – Historic hotel in Old French Concession, European architecture, luxurious rooms
- Okura Garden Hotel – A historic landmark, once the French Club, preserved for over 100 years with elegant gardens.
- Atour X Hotel Shanghai (698 West Nanjing Road) – A modern and stylish hotel close to the French Concession.
- InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin – Has French provincial-style villas and historical buildings, in the former French Concession.
Walk out of the hotel and enjoy a neighborhood full of hidden cafés, chic shops, and authentic restaurants, all without the crowds.
Best neighborhoods to hang out in the French Concession
Xintiandi 新天地 – A modern district with stores, cafes, and old-fashioned buildings.
Tianzifang 田子坊 –This is a small art neighborhood that is located in small shops and local crafts.
Sinan Mansion 思南公馆 – A quiet place with historic houses and tree-lined paths.
Wukang Road 武康路 – that is lined with the houses of European style and high trees.
Anfu Road 安福路 – A trendy street with stylish cafes and boutiques.
Wuyuan Road 五原路 – A calm road with charming old houses and green trees.
Nanchang Road 南昌路 – A peaceful street with local food and hidden shops.
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Food here is a mix of local and international. You can find soup dumplings, rice noodles, French cafés, and wine bars.
Walking Around
The French Concession is best for walking. Every street is different. Some have old villas, some have coffee shops, some have art stores.
Here is a simple walking route:
- Start at the Garden Hotel.
- Walk along Huaihai Road for shops.
- Stop at Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence.
- End at Tianzifang, full of art and food stalls.
This walk takes 3–4 hours. You can stop anytime for coffee or dumplings.
Free Walking Tour
A great way to see the area is a Free Walking Tour. A local guide can tell you stories and show you hidden streets. It is also a fun way to meet other travelers. You just give a tip at the end.
FAQs
1. Where is the French Concession in Shanghai?
The French Concession is in the center of Shanghai, west of the Bund. It is mainly in the Xuhui and Huangpu districts. The area is between Huaihai Road in the north, Zhaojiabang Road in the south, Huashan Road in the west, and Maoming Road in the east.
2. What are the main tourist attractions in the French Concession?
Middle Huaihai Road (shopping hub) – One of Shanghai’s busiest shopping streets, lined with luxury brands, malls, and boutiques.
- Sinan Mansions –A set of historic European-style villas now home to cafés, boutique shops, and cultural spaces, free to explore.
- Tianzifang – A maze of narrow lanes filled with art studios, crafts, cafés, and street food, very popular with tourists.
- Xintiandi – A stylish district where old Shikumen houses have been renovated into modern restaurants, shops, and bars.
- Former site of the 1st CPC Congress – A historic Shikumen house at 76 Xingye Road, where the Chinese Communist Party was founded in 1921.
- Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence – The preserved home of Sun Yat-sen, China’s revolutionary leader, showing his life and personal items.
- Zhou Enlai’s Former Residence – The old residence of Zhou Enlai, China’s first Premier, now a museum about his work and history.
- Xiangyang Park – A small public park in the French Concession, perfect for a quiet walk and local morning tai chi.
- Fuxing Park – A large European-style park with fountains, sculptures, flower gardens, and lively local activities.
3. Where is the French Concession in Shanghai?
It is west of the Bund, in the Huangpu and Xuhui districts. Famous streets are Wukang Road, Huaihai Road, and Fuxing Road.
Conclusion
One of the most beautiful areas of Shanghai is the French Concession. It is pleasant, forest-green, and charming. You can stay in a good hotel, have dinner in the best Shanghai French Concession restaurants, and stroll gradually under the trees. This is the best part of the trip to several people, bare, lovely, and alive. It is not only history, but it is also about life. You may spend a day here, or visit it again and again. Each street is a bit different, and thus, something new is constantly seen. Morning coffee, afternoon shopping, or evening dinner – everything is special here. The French Concession is where to be in case you want to see the true centre of Shanghai.
