Wukang Road is located in Xuhui District, Shanghai, starting from Hengshan Road in the south and ending at Huashan Road in the north. Adjacent to bustling business districts such as Middle Huaihai Road and West Nanjing Road, it is one of the first national-level historical and cultural blocks in Shanghai. Renowned for its strong old Shanghai charm, well-preserved historical buildings, and quiet neighborhood atmosphere, Wukang Road is hailed as "a road condensing a century of Shanghai's modern history" and is also one of Shanghai's "roads that will never be widened". The entire length of Wukang Road is 1,183 meters, with a width of approximately 12 meters and a block coverage area of about 0.2 square kilometers. There are nearly 30 historical buildings along the road, covering various modern Western architectural styles such as Neoclassicism, Art Deco, Spanish style, and English countryside style. Almost every building carries a unique historical story. It is not only a popular check-in spot for architecture enthusiasts but also an ideal place for citizens to take leisurely walks and experience the cultural context of Shanghai. Today, it has become a urban tourist landmark integrating historical heritage and artistic atmosphere.
History and Culture
The history of Wukang Road dates back to the early 20th century. In the third year of Xuantong reign in the Qing Dynasty (1911), the Shanghai International Settlement Municipal Council began to construct this road to expand the western area of the concession. Initially named "Route Ferguson" after John Calvin Ferguson, the British Minister to China, the area around the road was mostly the residence of foreigners and upper-class Shanghai residents at that time, gradually forming the prototype of a high-end residential area. In the 32nd year of the Republic of China (1943), the Wang puppet regime in Shanghai took over the International Settlement and renamed Route Ferguson to "Wukang Road", named after Wukang Town under Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, and this name has been used ever since.
In the long river of modern history, Wukang Road has witnessed the vicissitudes of Shanghai and nurtured profound cultural heritage. From the period of the Republic of China to the founding of the People's Republic of China, many celebrities and scholars lived here, including literary giant Ba Jin, legendary actress Qin Yi, renowned scholar Guo Moruo, and architectural masters Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin. They lived and created here, leaving precious cultural marks on Wukang Road. For example, Mr. Ba Jin lived at No. 113 Wukang Road for more than half a century and created immortal works such as Random Thoughts. This place has also become an important position for the dissemination of Ba Jin's literary thoughts.
From the perspective of architectural culture, the historical buildings on Wukang Road are "living fossils" of the development history of modern Shanghai architecture. From the early 20th century to the 1930s, Shanghai ushered in a golden age of modern architecture. Most of the buildings along Wukang Road were constructed during this period, designed and built by well-known architects at home and abroad at that time. They not only retained the classic forms of Western architecture but also integrated some detailed elements of Oriental architecture, forming a unique Shanghai-style architectural style. In 2011, Wukang Road was rated as a "Famous Historical and Cultural Street in China". In 2015, the Wukang Road Historical and Cultural Scenic Area was included in the first batch of Shanghai Urban Scenic Protection Areas, and its historical and cultural value and protection value have been recognized nationwide.
Major Attractions
Wukang Building
Wukang Building is located at the intersection of Wukang Road, Middle Huaihai Road and Xingguo Road. Formerly known as "Normandy Apartments", it was built in 1924 and designed by Hungarian architect László Hudec. It is the first veranda-style apartment building in Shanghai and also the iconic building of Wukang Road. Wukang Building is ship-shaped (also known as triangular) as a whole, with 8 floors and a construction area of about 12,000 square meters. Its architectural style is a combination of French Renaissance and Art Deco. The facade is made of beige stone and red bricks, with shops on the ground floor and residences on the upper floors. The wooden stairs, carved railings and other details inside the building are still well preserved today. Known for its unique shape and profound history, this building has become a "Internet-famous check-in spot" in Shanghai. During the period of the Republic of China, many celebrities in the literary and art circles such as Zhao Dan, Qin Yi and Sun Daolin lived here. Today, the building is still used as a residential building, and the exterior is open to tourists for taking photos and experiencing the architectural charm of old Shanghai.
Ba Jin's Former Residence
Ba Jin's Former Residence is located at No. 113 Wukang Road. It is an independent garden villa built in 1923, with a construction area of about 200 square meters and a floor area of about 500 square meters, adopting English countryside architectural style. In 1955, Mr. Ba Jin moved here with his family and lived here for more than 40 years until his death in 1999. This place is also where Mr. Ba Jin created important works such as Random Thoughts and Exploration and Memories. The former residence is a two-story building, with trees and flowers loved by Mr. Ba Jin planted in the courtyard. The interior is restored according to the furnishings of that year, displaying more than 10,000 pieces of precious cultural relics such as Mr. Ba Jin's manuscripts, book collections and daily necessities. Ba Jin's Former Residence was officially opened to the public in 2011. It is a free cultural venue, and also an important window to understand Ba Jin's literary life and experience the life of Shanghai-style literati. Reservation through official channels in advance is required for visiting.
Huang Xing's Former Residence
Huang Xing's Former Residence is located at No. 393 Wukang Road. It is one of the residences of Huang Xing, a founding father of the 1911 Revolution, in Shanghai. Built in 1912, it is a two-story garden villa with a construction area of about 300 square meters and Neoclassical architectural style. Mr. Huang Xing lived here from 1913 to 1916, planning activities against Yuan Shikai's restoration of monarchy here, witnessing an important period of modern China's democratic revolution. The facade of the former residence is made of light gray stone, with lush green trees in the courtyard. The layout of the living room, study, bedroom and other spaces inside the building still retains the style of that year. Although it is now a private residence and not open to the public, people can still appreciate its elegant architectural shape from the outside, feel the life marks of modern revolutionary pioneers, and it is an important part of the historical buildings on Wukang Road.
Wukang Yard
Wukang Yard is located at No. 374 Wukang Road. Formerly a modern industrial factory building and residential building, it has become a commercial and cultural landmark integrating historical style and artistic atmosphere after protective renovation, with a floor area of about 1,000 square meters. Wukang Yard retains the historical elements of the original building such as red brick walls and wooden structures, and at the same time introduces business formats such as boutique cafes, Western restaurants, art galleries and cultural and creative stores. It has both the retro atmosphere of old Shanghai and the artistic atmosphere of modern cities. It is a good place for tourists to relax, taste delicious food and buy cultural and creative products, and also a check-in spot for many literary and artistic young people. Every weekend, it is often crowded with people, showing the unique charm of the integration of historical scenic areas and modern life.
Midland Apartments
Midland Apartments is located at No. 115 Wukang Road. Built in 1931 and designed by Chinese architect Dong Dayou, it has 6 floors and a construction area of about 800 square meters, with Art Deco architectural style, and is one of the representative works of modern Art Deco architecture in Shanghai. The facade of the apartment is made of dark brown bricks, decorated with simple geometric lines. The elevators, corridors and other facilities inside the building are still well preserved today, with high architectural research value. During the period of the Republic of China, many foreigners and upper-class Shanghai residents lived in Midland Apartments. Today, it is still used as a residential building, with the exterior architectural style well preserved. It is one of the must-visit historical building check-in spots along Wukang Road. Its unique architectural style forms a sharp contrast with Ba Jin's Former Residence next to it, showing the diversity of architectural styles on Wukang Road.
Tour Route
We recommend an in-depth tour route of Wukang Road with a total length of about 2.5 kilometers and a time-consuming of 3-4 hours, which can not only check in the core attractions but also fully experience the historical charm of the block. The starting point of the route is Wukang Building at the intersection of Middle Huaihai Road and Wukang Road. First, take photos in front of Wukang Building, appreciate the unique shape of this iconic building, and feel its strong French architectural style, which takes about 30 minutes. Then walk north along Wukang Road, and reach Midland Apartments after about 5 minutes' walk. Stop to appreciate the concise beauty of Art Deco architecture, and enjoy the sycamore trees and retro street scenes along the way to feel the quiet neighborhood atmosphere. Continue walking north for about 10 minutes to arrive at Ba Jin's Former Residence at No. 113 Wukang Road. Enter the former residence for a visit with the reservation voucher obtained in advance, understand Ba Jin's literary life and life trajectory, and the visit takes about 1 hour.
After leaving Ba Jin's Former Residence, continue walking north for about 15 minutes, passing by many historical villas with different styles. You can stop to appreciate the architectural details along the way and feel the charm of Shanghai-style architecture. Then arrive at Wukang Yard, take a short rest here, taste a cup of coffee or a light meal, and feel the integration of historical style and modern art, which takes about 1 hour. After resting, set off from Wukang Yard and continue walking north for about 10 minutes to reach Huang Xing's Former Residence at No. 393 Wukang Road. Appreciate the elegance of this Neoclassical villa from the outside, understand the revolutionary deeds of Mr. Huang Xing, which takes about 20 minutes. Finally, set off from Huang Xing's Former Residence and walk about 5 minutes to Huashan Road at the northern end of Wukang Road. So far, the entire tour route ends. If you have enough time, you can go to the nearby Jing'an Temple or Middle Huaihai Road business district from Huashan Road to continue your tour.
Travel Tips
- The best travel seasons are spring and autumn. In spring (March-April), the sycamore trees by the road germinate and flowers bloom. In autumn (October-November), the leaves of sycamore trees turn yellow, and the block is full of retro atmosphere, with the best photo-taking effect.
- Reservation for Ba Jin's Former Residence needs to be made 1-3 days in advance through the official WeChat official account "Ba Jin's Former Residence". The number of visitors is limited every day, so it is recommended to arrange your time reasonably to avoid missing the visit opportunity.
- It is recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes when traveling. The total walking distance of the route is about 2.5 kilometers, taking 3-4 hours. Comfortable shoes can improve the travel experience.
- If you want to avoid the peak tourist flow, it is recommended to go there from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on working days. At this time, there are fewer tourists, which is convenient for taking photos and quietly experiencing the block atmosphere. There are more tourists on weekends and holidays, especially near Wukang Building, which is prone to congestion.
- It is recommended to bring a camera or a high-pixel mobile phone. The historical buildings and retro street scenes on Wukang Road are very suitable for taking photos, and you can keep precious travel images.
- During the trip, you can go to Wukang Yard to buy cultural and creative products, or take a break in the retro cafes by the road to deeply feel the artistic atmosphere of Wukang Road and experience the slow-paced life in Shanghai.
- It is recommended to consult relevant materials about the historical buildings and celebrity stories on Wukang Road in advance. When traveling, you can better understand the historical value of each attraction and improve the cultural experience of the trip.
Notes
- Most of the historical buildings along Wukang Road are private residences, including Wukang Building, Midland Apartments, Huang Xing's Former Residence, etc. (except Ba Jin's Former Residence and Wukang Yard). It is forbidden to enter the residential areas without permission, and you can only visit and take photos outside the buildings.
- Loud talking is prohibited in Ba Jin's Former Residence, touching cultural relic exhibits at will is prohibited, and taking photos with flash is prohibited. When visiting, you need to abide by the relevant regulations of the venue and take good care of cultural relics and public facilities.
- Littering and spitting are prohibited in the block. It is necessary to maintain the environmental sanitation of the block, respect the living environment of local residents, and avoid making loud noises under the residential buildings.
- Wukang Road is a mixed road for pedestrians and motor vehicles. When walking, you need to pay attention to the passing vehicles, especially at the intersections. You must abide by the traffic rules to ensure your own safety.
- When taking photos, avoid occupying motor vehicle lanes and sidewalks, and do not affect the normal passage of other tourists and local residents. If you need to take photos for a long time, you can choose areas with fewer people.
- There is no large parking lot in the scenic area, so it is not recommended to drive there by yourself. If you need to drive, you can park your car in the commercial parking lots near Middle Huaihai Road or Huashan Road.
- The consumption prices of shops and cafes along Wukang Road are relatively high, and you can choose consumption items reasonably according to your own budget.
Transportation
- Subway: You can take Shanghai Metro Line 10 or Line 11 and get off at Jiaotong University Station. Exit from Exit 4 and walk about 800 meters to reach Wukang Building. You can also take Shanghai Metro Line 1 and get off at Changshu Road Station. Exit from Exit 7 and walk about 1,000 meters to reach Wukang Road.
- Bus: You can take Bus No. 26, 911, 920 or 926 and get off at Middle Huaihai Road Wukang Road Station. You can see Wukang Building immediately after getting off the bus, which directly reaches the starting point of Wukang Road. You can also take Bus No. 44, 72 or 138 and get off at Huashan Road Wukang Road Station to reach the northern end of Wukang Road.
- Shared Bike: Shared bikes are widely available in downtown Shanghai. You can ride a shared bike to Wukang Road and park it in a standardized manner at the non-motor vehicle parking spots along Wukang Road. It is convenient and fast, suitable for tourists traveling short distances.
- Taxi/Ride-hailing: You can directly locate "Wukang Building" or "Ba Jin's Former Residence" to go there. Temporary parking is prohibited in some sections along Wukang Road, and drivers usually pull over to drop off passengers near Middle Huaihai Road or Huashan Road.
Opening Hours
It is open to the public all day long throughout the year. Tourists can go for a walk and visit at any time to appreciate the historical buildings and street scenes of the block without time restrictions. As a residential building, the exterior of Wukang Building is open for visiting and taking photos all day long, while the interior is not open to the public. The opening hours of Ba Jin's Former Residence are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday to Sunday, and it is closed every Monday (except legal holidays). The opening hours on holidays are subject to the official announcement. Reservation in advance is required for visiting during the opening hours. The opening hours of shops and venues in Wukang Yard are mostly from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the opening hours of different merchants are slightly different. You can arrange it reasonably according to your own needs. Huang Xing's Former Residence is a private residence, and its exterior is open for visiting all day long, while the interior is not open to the public.
Tickets
It is open to the public free of charge. If you need manual explanation service, you need to pay for it.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.