Wukang Road is considered a popular tourist spot that visitors to Shanghai simply cannot miss. The 1.18-kilometer-long road is lined with 37 protected historical buildings that showcase the history and culture of the city.
Wukang Road is one of the most famous roads in Shanghai. /CFP
Built in 1907, Wukang Road features a series of buildings with diverse architectural styles, ranging from Mediterranean and French Renaissance, to Spanish and many more. The road is recognized as one of the National Historic and Cultural Streets of China.
A view of the tree-lined Wukang Road in Shanghai. /CFP
Wukang Road was home to many celebrities. For example, No. 113 is the former residence of Ba Jin, a great Chinese writer who completed his work "Random Thoughts" at his Shanghai home. No. 393 is the former residence of Huang Xing, a revolutionary pioneer who often discussed social issues at his home with Sun Yat-sen. Scientist Charles Kuen Kao, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009, studied at the school on Wukang Road.
The Wukang Building is the major landmark on Wukang Road. Formerly known as the Normandie Apartments, the building is shaped like a huge ship. The apartment block was designed by the Hungarian-Slovak architect Laszlo Hudec and was completed in 1924. It is now a protected historic building recognized around the world. The eight-story building is in the typical French Renaissance style, and it is the oldest veranda-style apartment building in Shanghai.
The Wukang Building is located at the southern end of Wukang Road, Shanghai. /CFP
What's more, Wukang Road's beautiful design and setting makes it an ideal location for films. In Ang Lee's 2007 film "Lust, Caution," the road is the hero and heroine's secret dating spot. The 2017 film "This is Not What I Expected," actor Takeshi Kaneshiro and actress Zhou Dongyu played out a romantic love story with Wukang Road as the backdrop.
The historical and romantic atmosphere surrounding this area has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and has encouraged many new coffee shops and restaurants to open up along the road. Walking along the road lined with wutong (Chinese parasol) trees, the green and quiet environment creates an immersive tranquil vibe, where visitors can sip a coffee while soaking up the historical and cultural charms of the city.