Former Site of the French Concession Mixed Court

Introducing the Former Site of the French Concession Mixed Court

The former site of the French Concession's Joint Court, located on Jianguo Middle Road in Shanghai's Huangpu District, is one of the best-preserved concessions. Stepping inside, you'll feel like stepping back into the war-torn yet exotic atmosphere of old Shanghai. The plane trees and buildings lining the site evoke a sense of Shanghai's exotic charm. While a reminder of national humiliation, this place also symbolizes Shanghai's romance. In this tranquil and elegant place, it's hard to imagine it was once the residence of powerful figures like Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng. Hidden within these classic buildings are upscale restaurants and bars, making it a popular destination for both foreigners and Shanghainese.

Climate and best time to travel

Subtropical monsoon climate

Suitable for all seasons

Recommended number of days and locations for visiting

1-3 hours

Tickets

free

Attraction opening hours

9:00-11:00, 13:00-15:00

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Most Popular FAQs for Former Site of the French Concession Mixed Court

What is the history and significance of this attraction/city?

The building at 22 Jianguo Road M was constructed in 1918 as the Mixed Court of the French Concession, responsible for legal cases involving Chinese and foreigners under the concession system. It later housed the East China branch of the Supreme Court and the Shanghai Higher People’s Court after 1949. Its architecture and function reflect the legal pluralism and colonial legal arrangements in early-20th-century Shanghai.

Where is it located and how do I get there (metro, bus, taxi, walking)?

It is located in Huangpu District, Shanghai at 22 Jianguo Road M (within the former French Concession). To get there:

• Take Shanghai Metro to a nearby station such as South Shaanxi Road (Lines 1/10/12) or Changshu Road (Lines 1/7) and walk the tree-lined streets towards Jianguo Road.
• Or take a taxi/ride-hail directly to the address.

What are the opening hours and best times to visit?

The heritage building is sometimes open to the public (e.g., during cultural-heritage open days) rather than full daily opening; standard visiting hours may be limited. The surrounding former French Concession neighbourhood is accessible any time. Best times to visit are weekday mornings, or late afternoon when the trees cast good light and fewer crowds.

What is the entrance fee/ticket price, and how to buy tickets (online/offline)?

Visiting the building itself is free when open to the public (e.g., heritage-open day) as it is a protected historic site. The surrounding stroll through the former French Concession district also incurs no fee.

Do I need to book tickets in advance, and how far in advance?

No advance booking is normally required for the neighbourhood stroll. If the building itself is open only on special heritage-days, checking ahead for those dates is advisable to guarantee access.

How much time is needed to fully explore it?

Plan for about 30-45 minutes to walk around the building, read the heritage signage and take photos. If you include a broader stroll through the surrounding former French Concession area (villa streets, cafés, shops), allow 1-2 hours.

What are the must-see highlights or main areas inside?

Highlights include:

• The external red-brick façade, arched windows and outside stone staircase of the Mixed Court building.
• Any preserved interior courtroom or lobby (if accessible) showing colonial era legal architecture.
• The surrounding former French Concession streets: plane-tree lined avenues, villas and shikumen houses that frame the context of this legal building.

Are guided tours or audio guides available (and in which languages)?

No widely-advertised audio guide or guided tour specific to the building was found. Independent visiting is common; if desired you may arrange with a local guide (Mandarin, and sometimes English) in the former French Concession area for deeper historical context.

What are the best viewpoints or photography spots?

Good photography spots:

• The front façade of the building from Jianguo Road, capturing the red-brick exterior and stone staircase.
• The adjacent street with plane-trees in the former French Concession—ideal for framing the era’s ambiance.
• Interior architectural details (if accessible): windows, stairwell, old signage.

What is the recommended route or itinerary inside?

Suggested itinerary:

• Start at Jianguo Road and approach the Mixed Court building, take photos of the exterior.
• If open, enter and explore lobby/courtroom area.
• Then walk through the surrounding former French Concession streets (e.g., Jianguo Road → Nanchang Road → Huaihai Road) to appreciate the broader historic district.

Are night visits, light shows, or special tours available?

There are no specific night light-shows or special tours documented for this building. The neighbourhood remains pleasant for an evening stroll, but access to interior may be limited after dark.

Is it crowded, and when are the least crowded times/days to visit?

The site is not a major tourist attraction compared to top landmarks; it is usually quiet. The least crowded times are weekday mornings. Avoid major holiday periods if you prefer solitude.

What facilities are available (toilets, food, water, rest areas, shops)?

Facilities: The immediate building may not have full visitor centre amenities; nearby cafés, restaurants and shops exist in the former French Concession district. Public restrooms and cafés are available along the adjoining streets.

Is the attraction accessible for elderly, children, or disabled visitors?

Street-level access is easy for most visitors; however interior staircases may be steep and elevator access uncertain. Sidewalks in the neighbourhood are mostly flat, so it is reasonably accessible for children and elderly with moderate mobility. Visitors with significant mobility issues should check interior access ahead.

Is cash needed or are cards/mobile payments accepted?

As the building visit is free, no special payment is needed. For cafés, shops and restaurants nearby, cards and mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) are widely accepted in Shanghai. Still good to carry a small amount of cash for smaller establishments.

What restaurants or cafés are available inside or nearby?

In the former French Concession neighbourhood surrounding the court building you will find many stylish cafés, wine bars, and restaurants—both traditional Chinese and international fare. Explore lanes such as Anfu Road, Wukang Road and the area near Huaihai Road for excellent dining options.

Are there vegetarian/vegan/halal food options?

Vegetarian menus and vegan-friendly cafés are available in the former French Concession area, especially in international cafés. Halal food is less concentrated here than in certain other Shanghai districts but you can find Muslim-friendly restaurants with a little searching near Huaihai Road.

What hotels or accommodations are close to the site?

Many boutique hotels, serviced apartments and high-end accommodations are located within or near the former French Concession district (Xuhui & Huangpu districts). Staying in this area gives very convenient walking access to this historic site, cafés and shopping streets.

What other attractions or landmarks are nearby and easy to combine in a day trip?

Nearby you can combine visits to:

• The Former French Concession neighbourhood itself (tree-lined lanes, villas, boutiques).
• The Xintiandi area – a modern redevelopment of shikumen houses for dining and shopping.
• The nearby Fuxing Park and historic villa district around Wukang Road.

Are there souvenir shops and what are the typical souvenirs?

In the surrounding former French Concession area you’ll find shops offering art-print postcards of the neighbourhood, boutique items, Shanghai-themed gifts (e.g., Miniature shikumen house models, French-concession style stationery) and specialty cafés with packaged local treats.

What are the best transportation options to continue the trip after visiting?

From the site you can walk to nearby metro stations (e.g., South Shaanxi Road Station on Lines 1/10/12 or Hengshan Road Station on Line 1) to travel towards other districts of Shanghai. Taxis/ride-hailing also function well from this central area.