French Concession: Hip Neighborhood Guide

# French Concession: Hip Neighborhood Guide

The Former French Concession (法租界) is Shanghai's most charming neighborhood - think tree-lined streets, historic villas, indie boutiques, and hidden cafes.

## Overview

- **Area:** Roughly bounded by Nanjing Road (N), Zhaojiabang Road (S), Chengdu Road (W), Chongqing Road (E)

- **Best for:** Wandering, shopping, dining, cafe hopping

- **Time needed:** Half to full day

- **Vibe:** Trendy, artsy, romantic

## Main Areas to Explore

### 1. Xintiandi (新天地)

**Metro:** Xintiandi Station (Lines 10, 13)

- Restored shikumen houses

- High-end shops and restaurants

- Tourist-friendly but authentic architecture

- Good starting point

**Highlights:**

- Shikumen Open House Museum

- CCP First Congress Site (free)

- Outdoor dining areas

- Weekend markets

### 2. Tianzifang (田子坊)

**Metro:** Dapuqiao Station (Line 9)

- Maze of alleyways

- Art galleries and craft shops

- Local artists' studios

- More authentic than Xintiandi

- Less expensive

**What to do:**

- Browse boutiques

- Collect unique souvenirs

- Stop at rooftop bars

- Explore the lanes

### 3. Julu Road (巨鹿路)

**Metro:** Changshu Road (Lines 1, 7)

- Trendy cafe street

- Boutique shopping

- Weekend brunch spot

- Beautiful old villas

**Must-visit:**

- Numerous cafes (Manner Coffee, Seesaw)

- Vintage clothing shops

- Small art galleries

### 4. Wukang Road (武康路)

**Metro:** Changshu Road, then walk

- Most beautiful street in Shanghai

- European-style villas

- Celebrity residences

- Perfect for photos

**See:**

- Wukang Mansion (iconic corner building)

- Former residences of famous people

- Russian Orthodox Mission

- Tree-lined promenade

## What to Do

### Cafe Hopping

The French Concession is Shanghai's cafe capital!

**Local Chains:**

- Manner Coffee (affordable, excellent)

- Seesaw Coffee (specialty coffee)

- Mellower Coffee

**Boutique Cafes:**

- Tailor's Cafe (Yongfu Road)

- Commune by the Great Leap (Xinle Road)

- Pie Cafe (desserts!)

**Pro tip:** Most cafes have WiFi, perfect for digital nomads.

### Shopping

**Independent Boutiques:**

- Unique clothing designers

- Handmade jewelry

- Home decor and art

- Vintage finds

**Famous Streets:**

- Changle Road (长乐路) - boutiques

- Dongping Road (东平路) - antiques

- Xinle Road (新乐路) - designer shops

### Dining

**Brunch Spots:**

- Egg (Western breakfast)

- The Shed (healthy options)

- Baker & Spice (bakery cafe)

**Lunch/Dinner:**

- Ferguson Lane - collection of restaurants

- Jianguo 328 - food court style

- Hidden restaurants in lanes

**International Cuisine:**

- Spanish tapas on Yongfu Road

- Italian on Dongping Road

- Vietnamese on Wulumuqi Road

- Japanese izakayas scattered throughout

### Nightlife

**Bars:**

- Senator Saloon (speakeasy)

- Apartment (rooftop)

- Craft beer bars on Yongkang Road

**Clubs:**

- Smaller venues, more intimate

- Live music at various venues

- Jazz clubs scattered around

## Walking Routes

### Route 1: Villa Tour (2-3 hours)

Changshu Road Metro → Wukang Road → Anfu Road → Wuyuan Road → Fuxing Park

### Route 2: Shopping & Cafes (3-4 hours)

Xintiandi → Walk north on Huangpi Road → Julu Road → Changle Road → Tianzifang

### Route 3: Hidden Gems (2 hours)

Changshu Road → Donghu Road → Hengshan Road → Gao'an Road (explore lanes)

## Parks & Green Spaces

### Fuxing Park (复兴公园)

- French-style park

- Morning tai chi sessions

- Rose garden

- Paddle boats

### Xiangyang Park

- Local neighborhood park

- Great for people watching

- Morning exercises

## Historical Sites

1. **Zhou Enlai's Former Residence**

- Free admission

- Historical significance

- Well-preserved

2. **Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence**

- Father of modern China

- Beautiful garden

- Small museum

3. **Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence**

- Museum and memorial

- Lovely garden

- ¥20 entrance

## Art Galleries

- **Shanghai Arts & Crafts Museum** - Beautifully restored mansion

- **K11 Art Mall** - Contemporary art in shopping mall

- Small galleries in Tianzifang

- Rotating exhibitions in cafes and shops

## Pro Tips

### Best Time to Visit

- Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms, pleasant weather

- Fall (Sept-Nov): Comfortable temperatures

- Weekday mornings: Quieter streets

- Weekends: More energy but crowded

### Getting Around

- **Walking:** Best way to explore

- **Bike:** Mobike/Hello Bike available

- **Metro:** Connect between areas

- **Taxi:** Easy to find

### What to Wear

- Comfortable walking shoes (uneven sidewalks)

- Layers (AC inside, hot outside in summer)

- Camera ready (very photogenic area)

### Budget Tips

- Cafes: ¥25-50 for coffee/snack

- Restaurants: ¥80-200 per person

- Shopping: Wide range, boutiques expensive

- Walking and window shopping: Free!

### Hidden Secrets

1. **Ferguson Lane** - European-style complex, fewer tourists

2. **Random lane exploration** - Don't be afraid to wander

3. **Early morning** - See local life, tai chi, market shopping

4. **Rooftop spots** - Hidden bars and cafes with views

### Avoid

- Tourist trap restaurants on main streets

- Overhyped venues (research first)

- Rush hour taxis (impossible to find)

- Rainy days (flooding in some lanes)

## Nearby Attractions

- **Jing'an Temple** - 15 min walk north

- **Xujiahui Cathedral** - 15 min metro south

- **Shanghai Library** - Interesting architecture

- **Huaihai Road** - Major shopping street

## Perfect Day Itinerary

**Morning (9-12):**

- Start at Wukang Road (photos when quiet)

- Coffee at boutique cafe

- Browse shops on Anfu Road

- Explore Fuxing Park

**Afternoon (12-3):**

- Brunch on Julu Road

- Walk to Tianzifang

- Shop and explore lanes

- Art gallery or museum visit

**Late Afternoon (3-6):**

- Cafe break

- More exploring or shopping

- Rest in a park

**Evening (6-10):**

- Dinner at recommended restaurant

- Xintiandi evening stroll

- Drinks at rooftop bar

- Night cap at speakeasy

The French Concession is where Shanghai's past and present blend perfectly. It's not a single attraction but an experience - wandering its leafy streets, discovering hidden cafes, and soaking in the neighborhood vibe.

**Bon Voyage! 🌳**