Fuxing Park

In front of you is Fuxing Park, one of Shanghai's best-loved gardens. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon and you'll find it full of life: couples dancing, tai chi groups, card and mahjong players, neighbours singing opera.

1From barracks to French park

This was once the village of Gujiazhai. In 1900, the French Concession authorities bought the land for a barracks, and in 1908 they decided to turn it into a park. It opened on 14 July 1909, the French national holiday, under the name Parc de Koukaza, though everyone called it the French Park. It was designed by the French gardener Papot in the style of a formal French garden.

In its early years, only foreigners were allowed in. Chinese visitors were admitted in 1928.

In 1946 it received its present name, Fuxing, meaning “revival”. In 1985 the statue of Marx and Engels that you'll see on the northern lawn was put up.

2Shanghai's plane trees

Look at the trees in the park and the streets around it. Shanghainese call them “French parasols”, because the French planted them all over the concession. In summer they form tunnels of shade; in autumn, carpets of yellow leaves.

3What to look for

• The sunken flowerbeds, typical of a French garden.
• The statue of Marx and Engels, to the north.
• Local life: dancing, mahjong and card players.