At a glance
Xuhui is the large central-western district that holds much of what people picture when they think of "old Shanghai" — the southern half of the Former French Concession, plane-tree-lined streets, heritage villas, and a quieter, more residential character than Jing'an or Huangpu. It was the heart of the French-administered settlement from 1849 until 1943, and the European street plan, low-rise villas, and garden compounds from that era still define its core.
Today Xuhui mixes that heritage fabric with modern residential towers, two of the city's best parks, and a strong concentration of international schools, hospitals, and tech offices around the Caohejing Hi-Tech Park in the south.
Why people live here
- Balance: heritage streets and café culture in the north, family-friendly compounds and green space further out — the district that works day to day, not just on weekends.
- Greenery: Xujiahui Park and the long tree-lined avenues make it one of the greenest central districts.
- Schools & services: a high concentration of international schools, bilingual clinics, and long-term expat infrastructure.
Don't miss
- Wukang Road & the Normandie Apartments (武康大楼): the 1924 flat-iron landmark by László Hudec, on the Xuhui side of the French Concession.
- Xujiahui Park (徐家汇公园): a landscaped former rubber-factory site, popular for evening walks and weekend markets.
- Longhua Temple & Pagoda (龙华寺): Shanghai's oldest temple complex, dating to the Three Kingdoms period.
- Hengshan Road & Wulumuqi Road: indie bars, coffee roasters, and small galleries along the concession-era streets.
Getting around
Metro Lines 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 11 all cross Xuhui, with Xujiahui a major interchange. The district is well connected to both Pudong and Hongqiao, and the tree-lined streets make cycling pleasant in the north.
Who it suits
Families, professionals, and long-term residents who want a neighbourhood that holds up on a Tuesday as well as a Saturday — elegant, practical, and genuinely liveable, with enough character to feel special without the intensity of Jing'an.