Shanghai's most charming road—Wanhangdu Road

🌞The journey begins at the southern end of Wanhongdu Road, at Jing'an Temple (Image 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣), and extends north to Caojiadu, where it veers westward (Image 11-12), finally reaching Changning Road. I have previously penned notes on the stretch of Caojiadu that runs west along the Suzhou River. This piece will focus on the segment from Jing'an Temple to Caojiadu. 🌞The history of Jing'an Temple is said to date back to 247 AD, having gradually expanded since its initial relocation from the north bank of the Suzhou River. Beneath the temple's bell tower lies one of the eight scenic spots of Jing'an, the "Gushing Spring". The spring was originally hot, flowing ceaselessly day and night, hence its name "Boiling Well". It was filled in 1966 and re-excavated in 2000. Local lore suggests that this spring is the "Yellow Spring", with Jing'an Temple built atop it. Opposite the temple is Jing'an Park, formerly a cemetery, where many century-old trees, including ginkgo, plane trees, and arhat pines, continue to thrive. 🌞The area around Jing'an Temple is bustling, from Jiuguang to Ocean Plaza, to Crystal Galleria and Kerry Centre. The entire underground area is interconnected, with the Jing'an Temple subway station located here. The underground space is teeming with people, a variety of delicious food, and small shops. In the heat of summer, if you don't see many people on the streets, they're likely underground, where it's lively! 🌞At the intersection of Wanhongdu Road and Yuyuan Road is the "Shanghai Paramount Ballroom" (Image 4️⃣). When speaking of old Shanghai, one cannot omit "cheongsam, rickshaws, and dance halls". The Paramount was funded by a wealthy merchant from Nanxun, designed by architect Yang Xiliang in a modern American style. It featured a restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, and dance floor. The 500 square meter spring-loaded dance floor, devoid of any pillars, was considered an architectural marvel at the time. Opened in 1933, it was touted as the "First Music House of the East". The ballroom's interior was resplendent, with luminaries such as Charlie Chaplin, Xu Zhimo, and Lu Xiaoman having danced here. 🌞Continuing along Wanhongdu Road towards Caojiadu, there are numerous delicious snack shops and Shikumen old houses along the way. Notable sights include the Three Yi Square built in the 1930s at Lane 223 (Image 8️⃣), No. 391 (Image 9️⃣), Hu Shi's former residence at Lane 320, Huayuan at No. 540, and the castle-style building at No. 575. 🌞At the Caojiadu end of Wanhongdu Road (Image 11), spanning Jing'an, Putuo, and Changning districts, this area was once one of the important ferry crossings of the Suzhou River. In the 1920s, a plethora of rice shops, herbal medicine stores, silver shops, and watch shops sprung up here, making it a bustling hub. In the late 1980s, it was one of the liveliest places in West Shanghai, with the West Shanghai Cinema, Sanguantang Bridge Poultry and Egg Market, and Flower and Bird Market, exuding a strong local flavor. Now, it has been replaced by Fanghui Plaza, Yueda 889 Plaza, and King88 Plaza. 🌞St. Michael's Church at No. 1066 Wanhongdu Road (Image 12) was established in 1919 by a French nun who preached in Caojiadu. It was designed and built by architect Pan Shiyi in 1930. The old church has undergone several renovations and no longer exists. The current building was newly constructed in September 2011. #thingstodoshanghai