The arcade buildings on East Jinling Road

The arcade buildings on East Jinling Road

The arcade buildings on East Jinling Road are located on East Jinling Road, which was once at the eastern end of the former French Concession. This is a uniquely distinctive street in Shanghai and the only large-scale arcade-style street in the city center. The architecture along both sides of East Jinling Road features characteristics typical of the Lingnan region.

East Jinling Road was first laid out in 1860 and was the first road built in the French Concession. Since the French Consulate was located at the eastern end of the road, it was called "Rue du Consulat" in French, translated as "Consulate Road" in Chinese. In 1865, Consulate Road was extended westward to Old North Gate Street (now South Henan Road), and in 1865 the French Gas Company was established, prompting further westward extension of the road to present-day South Xizang Road. At the same time, gas lamps were introduced along the entire stretch for nighttime illumination. In the early 20th century, under the unified planning of the Municipal Council, most of the storefront buildings along the road were constructed in an arcade style, featuring covered walkways that shelter pedestrians from wind and rain — a feature quite unique in Shanghai and remarkably similar to that of Guangzhou, a southern city situated in the subtropics. In December 1945, the road was renamed to its current name. However, until the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was commonly referred to by locals as "French Avenue." At the time, Consulate Road served as the political and economic hub of the French Concession. Later, as the French Concession expanded, East Jinling Road became its second major commercial street.

Location

East Jinling Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai