Founded in 1862, the French Concession is an area in Shanghai that was once designated as a home for French traders and businesspeople. It was reclaimed by China is 1943 and now covers the Luwan and Xuhui districts
During the 1920’s and 30’s, the foreign diplomatic quarter was a haven for political activists and a site of decadence and anarchy. One of the houses in the district was the site of the 1st National Congress of the Communist Party. Today, the tree-lined district is one of the hippest places in Shanghai, filled with European-style buildings and trendy cafes and bars.