Exploring the French Concession in Shanghai: A Guide

The French Concession in Shanghai is best explored by walking the tree-lined streets of Wukang Road, Anfu Road, and the Sinan Mansions district. This historic area offers a unique blend of European colonial architecture, trendy boutiques, and a world-class coffee culture. To navigate the winding alleys and share your photos on Instagram, you will need a reliable data connection that bypasses the Great Firewall.

The Charm of the Former French Concession

Walking through the former French Concession (FFC) feels like stepping into a different era of Shanghai. Established in the mid-19th century, this district is famous for its "Platanus" (London Plane) trees that form leafy tunnels over the roads. Unlike the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong or the bustling commercialism of Nanjing Road, the FFC is intimate, quiet, and deeply historic.

For British and international travelers, the area provides a familiar comfort with its cafe-heavy culture, yet it remains distinctly Shanghainese. You will see elderly locals playing mahjong in lane houses right next to minimalist galleries. However, to find these hidden spots, you cannot rely on physical maps. Digital tools like Amap or Baidu Maps (and even Google Maps if you have the right connection) are essential for finding specific lane entrances.

Must-Visit Streets and Landmarks

Wukang Road (Wukang Lu)

Often called the most beautiful street in Shanghai, Wukang Road is home to the iconic Wukang Mansion (formerly the Normandie Apartments). Designed by the famous architect L.E. Hudec, this ship-like building is the centerpiece of the district. Walking down Wukang Road, you will pass former residences of famous writers and politicians.

Anfu Road and Changle Road

If Wukang Road is for history, Anfu Road is for the modern "lifestyle" seeker. It is the epicenter of Shanghai’s trendy youth culture, filled with sourdough bakeries, wine bars, and high-end boutiques. Changle Road, running parallel, offers a more eclectic mix of local street style and hidden bars.

Sinan Mansions and Fuxing Park

The Sinan Mansions area features beautifully restored garden villas. Nearby, Fuxing Park is a great place to watch locals practice ballroom dancing or fly kites in the morning. It is one of the few parks in the city designed in a classic French style.

Digital Connectivity in Shanghai

Navigating Shanghai without a working smartphone is nearly impossible. From hailing a Didi (China's Uber) to translating menus and using digital payments, your phone is your lifeline. However, the "Great Firewall" of China blocks most Western services, including Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.

Most travelers from the UK might consider roaming with their home carriers like EE, Vodafone, or O2. While these work, they are often prohibitively expensive and can suffer from throttled speeds. A local SIM card is an option, but it requires registering your passport at a physical store and, more importantly, it will be subject to strict internet censorship. To access the open internet natively, you should see plans from ChinaRoam, which route data outside the firewall so your favorite apps work without a VPN.

Why an eSIM is Better than UK Roaming

Feature	UK Roaming (EE/O2/Vodafone)	ChinaRoam eSIM
Cost	High daily or per-MB charges	Affordable fixed or daily plans
App Access	Usually uncensored but slow	Uncensored (Google, IG, WhatsApp work)
Network	Limited partner selection	5G on China Mobile, Unicom, & Telecom
Setup	Automatic (but expensive)	Instant digital delivery
Local Number	Your UK number (high roaming cost)	Data only (no local number)

Network Coverage and Performance

In Shanghai, you will experience some of the fastest mobile internet in the world. ChinaRoam plans connect to the three major state carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. All three offer extensive 5G coverage throughout the French Concession.

• China Mobile: The largest carrier with the most robust coverage in rural areas, though its 5G bands are sometimes specific to newer phones.
• China Unicom: Excellent for international devices and very fast in urban centers like Shanghai.
• China Telecom: Reliable 5G speeds and great building penetration.

Whether you are deep inside a concrete lane house or sitting in a basement jazz club, you can expect a stable signal. Before you fly, you should check your phone's compatibility to ensure it supports the 5G bands used in mainland China.

Choosing the Right Data Plan

Your data needs depend on how you travel. If you are mostly using your phone for maps and occasional messaging, a fixed plan (like 3GB or 5GB for 15-30 days) is usually sufficient. However, if you plan to upload high-resolution videos to Instagram Stories or use your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, consider a daily pass.

ChinaRoam offers several tiers, including:

• Fixed Plans: 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, and 50GB options.
• Daily Passes: High-speed daily allocations (0.5GB to 10GB per day) that reset every 24 hours.

These are "data only" plans, meaning they do not come with a local Chinese phone number. While you won't be able to receive traditional SMS, you can make calls and send messages via WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Telegram seamlessly. If you run out of data while exploring the French Concession, top-ups are available to keep you connected.

Step-by-Step: Installing Your eSIM

Setting up your connection is best done at the airport or before you leave the UK. You can find more detailed setup instructions on our site, but here is the general process:

For iPhone Users

1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
2. Scan the QR code provided in your ChinaRoam confirmation email.
3. Label the new plan as "China."
4. Set "Data Roaming" to ON for the ChinaRoam line (this is required to route data through the uncensored gateway).

For Android Users

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM.
2. Select "Download a SIM instead?" and scan the QR code.
3. Ensure the "Roaming" toggle is enabled for the eSIM profile.
4. Set the eSIM as the preferred line for mobile data.

Beyond Shanghai

If your trip extends beyond the French Concession, your eSIM will follow you. Whether you are heading north for the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival or exploring the coastal history in our Qingdao travel guide, the 5G coverage remains consistent. The transition between provinces is seamless, with no additional roaming fees within mainland China.

Arrival at Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA)

Upon landing in Shanghai, skip the long queues at the airport SIM card booths. As soon as you disable Airplane Mode, your eSIM will search for the strongest local network (Mobile, Unicom, or Telecom). Within seconds, you will have the data needed to book a car through the Didi app or check the Maglev train schedule. Avoid the public airport Wi-Fi, which often requires a Chinese phone number to receive a verification code—a major hurdle for international tourists.

The bottom line

The French Concession is the soul of Shanghai, but its beauty is best unlocked with a working smartphone. By choosing a ChinaRoam eSIM, you avoid the high costs of UK carriers and the frustration of the Great Firewall. You get fast, uncensored 5G data that allows you to navigate, translate, and share your journey in real-time. Simply see plans before your departure to ensure a smooth arrival in China's most stylish city.