Wukang Road

Overview

Wukang Road is a 1.2-kilometer tree-lined avenue in the heart of the Former French Concession, renowned for its concentration of early-20th-century architecture. The wedge-shaped Wukang Mansion at its northern tip is one of Shanghai's most-photographed buildings.

Highlights

• Wukang Mansion: A 1924 Art Deco apartment building designed by Hungarian architect László Hudec, resembling a Normandy château with its curved façade.
• Celebrity Residences: Former homes of Ba Jin, Tang Na, and other cultural luminaries line the street.
• Boutique Strip: Independent coffee roasters, bookshops, and designer boutiques occupy the ground floors of heritage villas.

History

Originally named Route Ferguson after a British consul, Wukang Road was the most prestigious residential address in the French Concession. Its plane trees were planted in the 1920s and now form a continuous canopy.

Visitor Tips

• Weekday Morning: Visit early to photograph Wukang Mansion without crowds.
• Walking Route: Combine with Fuxing Road and Anfu Road for a half-day French Concession walk.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.