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Shanghai · Mixed

French Concession Highlights: Plane Trees, Villas and Lanes

The former French Concession is the most pleasant part of Shanghai for a stroll: avenues of plane trees, 1920s villas and lanes of houses with stone-framed doorways. This mixed route gathers the neighbourhood's must-see sights, from the place where the Chinese Communist Party was founded to the cafés and shops of Tianzifang. A practical tip: in China, Google Maps and other foreign websites often don't work, so before you travel, check local map and mobile payment apps.

  • 5 stops
  • 2.5 km
  • 1 h 50 min
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Narrow lane in Tianzifang with shops and awnings

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Xintiandi and the First Congress HouseA 1920 shikumen house where, in July 1921, thirteen delegates met to found the Chinese Communist Party.
  2. 2 Fuxing ParkThe old “French Park”, where the city now dances, plays mahjong and practises tai chi under the plane trees.
  3. 3 Sun Yat-sen's HouseThe villa that Chinese emigrants in Canada gave to the father of modern China, where he lived with Soong Ching-ling.
  4. 4 Sinan Road and its VillasThe former Rue Massenet, a street of villas where Zhou Enlai and the great opera star Mei Lanfang once lived.
  5. 5 TianzifangA maze of shikumen lanes that artists saved from demolition, now packed with studios and cafés.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

French Concession Highlights: Plane Trees, Villas and Lanes

Shikumen houses

The terraced houses with stone gateways that defined Shanghai, restored in Xintiandi and still lived in at Tianzifang.

Villas with a story

The home of Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching-ling, and the street where Zhou Enlai and Mei Lanfang lived.

Neighbourhood life

Dancing, tai chi and mahjong under the plane trees of Fuxing Park, and a maze of workshops and cafés to finish.

Keep exploring

More routes in Shanghai

Back to Shanghai
HistoryFrom the Racecourse to the Bund: Shanghai of the Concessions Mysteries & legendsGods, Pirates and Spirits of the Old City

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Shanghai?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Shanghai in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Shanghai in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Shanghai in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary