Huaihai Road Shanghai stretches across the city, and boasts beautiful scenery, history, and some of the best shopping the world has to offer. Huaihai Road offers a fascinating mix of old and new, placing longtime residences right next to shops belonging to iconic fashion brands. One will definitely enjoy a stroll among the large trees, people watching and window shopping.
The entirety of Huaihai Road consists of three sections: East Huaihai Road between South Zhejiang Road and South Xizang Road, Middle Huaihai Road between South Xizang Road and Huashan Road, and West Huaihai Road between Huashan Road and Hongqiao Road. Along the roads, you can soak in the history of the city with original shikumen (Stone-gate) residences and mansions still intact. European-style architecture adds charm to many small cafes and eateries located in the area.
The storied past of Huaihai Road makes it all the more interesting. Initial construction of Huaihai Road began in 1900 and was completed the next year in 1901, after which the previous two roads of Xi Jiang Road and Bao Chang Road were joined together into one thoroughfare with the name Bao Chang Road in commemoration of the head of the administration of the French Concession at the time. In 1915, Bao Chang Road was renamed Joffre Road by the administration of the French Concession at the time to commemorate the remarkable French general - Joseph Joffre. In May 1950, the road was officially named Huaihai Road to commemorate the decisive victory of the People's Liberation Army of China against the Kuomintang in the Huaihai Battle, which lasted from November 6th, 1948 to January 10th, 1949.
