Wu Kang Road: the condensation of a century of modern Shanghai history.
If you can only visit one street in Shanghai, then Wu Kang Road will be the first choice among many old Shanghai. It was built by John Calvin Ferguson, an American, when he was an inspector at Nanyang Public School in his early years. It was named "John Calvin Ferguson Road", and then it was assigned to the French Concession. The architectural styles here are mostly Spanish and French Renaissance, and the phoenix trees swaying on both sides of the road are full of European customs, adding a sense of tranquility. In the movie Lust, Caution, Mr. Yi, played by the leading actor, had a tryst with Mr. Yi, played by Tony Leung Chiu Wai, on Route 99.
Wu Kang Road is a famous road, known as "the condensation of Shanghai's century-old history". Many all-powerful politicians, military strategists, industrialists and literati have lived here, leaving 37 historical buildings or celebrities' former residences. Today, the face here is completely new. Cafes and fashion shops are scattered among them, so that the light and shadow of history can be integrated with the present world.
Yuyuan road: the wind and rain behind the garden house
Yuyuan Road is not wide, but it is very long, starting from Jing 'an Temple in the east and reaching Zhongshan Park in the west. Strolling along this long street, looking at the windows of various boutiques and looking at the deep alleys that pass through from time to time, you may not realize that there is a tortuous history behind these busy flowers and trees. In the depths of these garden houses, there are countless stories about the turbulent years of the last century, buried brick by brick, quietly waiting for the footsteps of a hundred years later.
Xinhua road: when poetry is integrated into daily life
Xinhua Road, formerly known as Anhesi Road, is also in the French Concession, but perhaps because it was close to Huokeji in the past, the western-style architecture here seems to have a sense of detachment. Many houses along the street are the works of Hungarian architect Hudac; Towering French phoenix trees stand on both sides of the road, and the leaves are crisp at the foot of autumn. Xinhua Road has been revitalized, and there are fewer tourists coming and going. Pedestrians are basically nearby residents or young people who come to Shanghai Studios to watch movies. In this way, fresh poetry is integrated into daily life and into every day and night.
Sinan Road: Revival of the Old Concession
Sinan Road, formerly known as Mas South Road, is to commemorate a French musician. The architecture here combines almost all Chinese and western architectural styles in old Shanghai. Just like the World Architecture Expo, you can see the essence of Shanghai culture here. Sinan mansions on Sinan Road is now a typical representative of this building complex, because it has become a unique business district integrating humanities, fashion, history and art, with endless cultural activities, exhibitions and lectures, as if it had brought a "Renaissance" to this old concession.
Yin Shan Road: Follow in the footsteps of Lu Xun.
Compared with the parallel Tian 'ai Road and the adjacent Duolun Road, Yinshan Road may not be so famous, but it is still a real residential area, full of rich flavor of life. It exudes the elegance and tranquility of old Shanghai in its bones, and the red bricks and green tiles tell the story of this block. Even though the prosperity has passed, the years are still quiet.