Shanghai French Concession, Former administrative division in Shanghai
The former French Concession is a district in central Shanghai that was once administered by France and now covers several residential and commercial neighborhoods. The streets are lined with plane trees, and the low-rise houses with balconies and porches stand in contrast to the towers around them.
France was granted the right to establish an administrative zone in Shanghai in 1849, and the territory expanded several times until 1914. After World War II, foreign control ended, and the area returned to Chinese administration in 1946.
Many of the old houses now serve as cafés, galleries, or apartments, and the area remains popular for its tree-lined streets. Street names still honor French cities and people, even though the concession ended decades ago.
Walking or cycling is the easiest way to explore the area, as many of the lanes are narrow and quiet. Some courtyards and passages are open to the public, while others belong to private properties.
The plane trees lining the streets were imported from France in the 1920s and still shape the character of the area today. Some lanes still have the original cast-iron lampposts that marked the early electrification of the concession.
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