Heritage Buildings on Xinhua Road: the First Stop of Clinton’s Shanghai Trip
2022/01/06
Rather than the Bund, the Temple of the Town God and Lujiazui, the first stop of Clinton’s Shanghai trip was Xinhua Road.
Why on earth was he attracted to this 2,000-meter-plus shadowed street? It was because of the renowned “foreign lanes”.
The “foreign lanes” refer to Lane 211 and 329 of Xinhua Road. The two lanes connected in a U shape were designed by Hudec, a prominent Hungarian architect. Attracted by its location on the border of the French Concession, serene ambiance and reasonable price, many rich businessmen had their houses built here. Villas of British, North European, French and many other styles stand side by side along the lanes, forming a cluster of villas with the most varied architectural features in Shanghai. Architecturally, it is no less charming than the Bund, and is reputed “mini Expo”.
What makes it special?
In the southeast of Changning District, there are 50 western-styled villas, an intensive cluster rarely seen in China. While the “foreign lanes” can take on different charms with hours ticking away within one day, serenity is its signature. The East Asian plants and Western-style architecture blend perfectly with each other, with spires, archways, pillars and tiles peeking through dense foliage. It makes you feel like walking along streets in Europe. -- Tang Xiaofeng, Curator of Changning Library
Xinhua Road is one of the 64 roads in Shanghai that will never be expanded so as to preserve their original features, and it stands out as it connects the two of the most bustling roads yet somehow manages to maintain its tranquility. It only took an accidental encounter for me to take to it.
When you saunter along Xinhua Road in a sunny afternoon, all the noises of city life seem to subside and you gain peace of mind. Alongside the lanes are broad verandas, gable roofs, tall chimneys, and walls covered by vines, all of which reminds you of streets in Mediterranean, England or North Europe, but never in an ostentatious way. If Gangnam Style is about showing off extravagance, I would say Xinhua Road epitomizes ease and gracefulness. -- Gu Ye, resident in Tianshan Road Sub-district