French Concession Walking Tour Nov 17, 2011

This was the SEA's last walking tour guided by Spencer Dodington for 2011. 

Here is the blurb:

French Concession Walk: Historic Hengshan Lu with Spencer Dodington

In April 1849, the French Consul to Shanghai, Charles de Montigny, obtained a proclamation from the Governor of Shanghai which conceded certain territory for a French settlement. During the 1920s, this settlement, the French Concession, was developed into the premiere residential area of Shanghai. Avenue Petain, now Hengshan Lu, was a major boulevard linking Xujiahui with the center of the French Concession and represented the pinnacle of the settlement's high-end residential district. This southwest corner of the Old French Concession, one of the last parts of the pre-World War II city to be developed, boasts many luxurious single-family homes and stately tower residences along its tree-lined streets. Much of the area maintains a sense of solitude, somewhat removed from the rest of the city.

I will only show you stuff I think you haven't seen here before. Thank goodness, you say, about time!

This building was the highlight, in my opinion. Remember that old farm house that Spencer pointed out on a previous walk? Yes, you do. There are about five or eight of them left in Shanghai. Remember? I couldn't recall the exact number? Yes! Now you do! Anyway, here's another one of them.  

The outer wall

Note the rounded yin (female) element that balances the 

straight line of the yang (male) wall.

The door (duh)

I show you this so you can count the number of milk boxes. 

Yes, that's how many separate households are living here now.

The old farm house features a central courtyard with rooms, 

now individual "apartments", opening onto it.

Two of the residents. They want the place torn down. Despite the farm house's historical and architectural significance, I can appreciate why. 

A pet, not dinner.

Two entrepreneurs in the tiny, narrow alley outside the farm house. 

Moving along to the busier, more modern streets...

I know we have this type of thing in Toronto and elsewhere, 

it just throws me for a bit of a loop here. 

It's so fluffy!

So that's it, folks, for the walking tours. 

Rest your weary feet and get ready for the 2012 season!