French concession

Rating 3.5/5

The part of Shanghai we went to was part of the French Concessions in the mid 1800s and mid 1900s. It was an interesting place to visit as the area had a distinct air of a history to it. Despite the fact that we were indeed in Shanghai, China, the architecture within the French concession made it seemed as though we were transported to another European country. The architecture was well-maintained and what I found the most interesting part of it, was the fact that the small dinings and cafés around were mainly English and French. As I walked around the French concession, it was clear to me that the area was truly developed for the French in the past, this explaining its unique buildings, totally different for the olden chinese's ways of building it. In the past, the French concession was an area for French settlement, but now, it has became a retail district and tourism district for the country. Despite it being among buildings and high rises, the French concession felt very soothing to me as I walked down the alleys, probably due to the fact of the earthy brown colour of the buildings and the quiet atmosphere. It allows one in the busy city to settle down and relax without having to go far away. This historical site improves both the tourism of the country and at the same time, it is a symbol of the French concession in China's history.

Fulushou – Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity. These statues were created for Shanghai Xintiandi by the renowned Dutch Chinese sculptor, Wu ching-ju. They are her interpretations of the traditional Chinese folklore figures of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity

The alley of the French concession which reminds me of the Great Britain due to its earthly brown color, bringing us back to past.  walking through this alley calms our mind, putting everything down.

This building brings out the unique features of  a european styled building - red bricks. balcony and others. There are also orange colored leaves outside the building. Together with the the orange leaves and red brick, it make us feel as though it was currently in autumn.