French Concession

Shanghai's districts feature a variety of architectural styles, from the tree-lined, villa-filled French Concession to the glittering skyscrapers of Pudong, while the city's famous shikumen houses (houses with stone gates) can be found throughout. Food is bound to become an important part of any visit here — in a city with more than 100,000 restaurants, you'll find high standards and inventive flavors from China's most remote provinces and from around the world. The French Concession is an area of Shanghai that was once set aside for French colonizers and today consists of the districts of Luwan and Xuhui. Shanghai's charm, it is said, lies in the old streets and neighborhoods that make up the former French Concession. It's a great place to explore, from old European buildings on shady lanes to cafes and restaurants and the upscale shopping district along Huaihai Road.