Another important road in Former French Concession area after Huaihai road is Fuxing road.
Fuxing road is divided into 3 parts as Huaihai road. It started from the east South ZhongShan road, to the west HuaShan road. The former east Fuxing Road named Damatou road, former middle Fuxing road named Route Lafayette, former west Fuxing road named Route Gustare de Boissenzon. East Fuxing road located in the old town of Shanghai, full of flavour of the old town, most of the architecture was SpecialtyAllston style. When comes to the middle Fuxing road, things will be different. Middle Fuxing road was the main street of the Former French Concession area, just next to the Huaihai road; the trees and the road are all looks like Huaihai road with the special elegant feelings, but less commercial atmosphere. All kinds of garden houses are standing behind the peaceful street. When you walking through this road, there are no shops, even no bus stops, and may hear the piano or violin from some garden houses.
Fuxing road experienced many vicissitudes of the history, a lot of men with letters and artists lived here, they brought here the smells and taste of culture will last forever, we can still find their stories which were left in the history until today.
FuxingPark is the most classic part on Fuxing road. It was completed in 1909, named as GujiazaiPark, or French park, name was changed to DaxingPark in 1943, and the name of FuxingPark was given in 1945. The parterre, the avenue and the sculpture in this park are full of French romance, and it is the only well reserved FrenchPark in China. The design of the FuxingPark followed the garden layout of Louis XVI style. Many French used to hold some celebrations here. The popularity of Shanghai nightlife in this park with hundreds of year’s history is increasing all the time. Here is not so that blazed as XinTianDi and HengShan road, but the style it’s owned is coming from an old style park bathed in the fashion of today.
3). HengShan road
On Hengshan road you will find bule-green French parasol trees, garden villas with mahogany coclored roofs, European-style gazebos, and cozy cafes. In the evening you can enjoy live music and laidback nightlife.
Built in 1922, HengShan road was originally a famous street in the French Concession known as Avenue Petain. Measuring at 2.3 kilometers in length, in October 1943, the road officially changed its name to Hengshan road.
Shanghai locals love coffee, and cafes can be found on virtually every street. In its early days, Hengshan road was steeped in coffee culture. Number one on Hengshan road, today’s XiangzhangGarden, is home to the Hengshan Café. This simple museum like place has some historical significance; established in 1985, it was the first Café to open in Shanghai after the Cultural Revolution. Over its 20 years of operation, it still retains its original look. Many people come to appreciate the nostalgic feel of the place. It is popular spot for first fates.
It is recommended that you visit Hengshan road in the evening and enjoy its quiet and restrained nightlife. Dim lamps, flickering candles, and the quite soft tones of music and singing will bring you into this comfortable new world. If you into this comfortable new world. If you come during the daytime, you can visit the CommunityChurch, the Xujiahui Catholic Church, or pass through one or two small roads to the SongQingling Residence. If you feel so inclined, this is also the place to visit the Shanghai Library where you can quietly spend part of the day exploring its enormous collections.
