Situated in the Luwan and Xuhui districts, the French Concession in Shanghai is the largest, earliest and the most prosperous of the four French Concessions in Modern China (The other three are in Tianjin, Hankou and Guangzhou).
Shanghai was opened to foreign trade after the first Opium War in 1842, and soon became the home of many foreigners. In 1849, the French colonial officials created a district only for French people, which was expanded in 1900 and 1914, and became the city s best and most affluent residential area in the 20th century. The first residents there were mainly French, later many British, American, Russia, and Chinese also came to live there.
The place was ruled by the French for nearly one hundred years until August, 1943. Today the French Concession has become one of the major tourist sites of the city. The whole place is covered with numerous shops, French colonial architecture and plenty of caf s and restaurants. Some of the popular sites of the French Concession are Fuxing Park, the Jinjang Hotel, the shops beside Huaihai Middle Road, the new Xintiandi area and the former residence of Sun Yat-sen.
While visiting the French Concession, you can also pay a visit to the Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar not far from there. This bazaar is well-known for its delicious lunchtime snacks. One of the major attractions of the bazaar is the Temple of the City God, which was recently restored and renovated.
Shanghai was opened to foreign trade after the first Opium War in 1842, and soon became the home of many foreigners. In 1849, the French colonial officials created a district only for French people, which was expanded in 1900 and 1914, and became the city s best and most affluent residential area in the 20th century. The first residents there were mainly French, later many British, American, Russia, and Chinese also came to live there.
The place was ruled by the French for nearly one hundred years until August, 1943. Today the French Concession has become one of the major tourist sites of the city. The whole place is covered with numerous shops, French colonial architecture and plenty of caf s and restaurants. Some of the popular sites of the French Concession are Fuxing Park, the Jinjang Hotel, the shops beside Huaihai Middle Road, the new Xintiandi area and the former residence of Sun Yat-sen.
While visiting the French Concession, you can also pay a visit to the Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar not far from there. This bazaar is well-known for its delicious lunchtime snacks. One of the major attractions of the bazaar is the Temple of the City God, which was recently restored and renovated.