Huaihai Road
Encyclopedia
Huaihai Road or Huaihai Lu ' onMouseout='HidePop("92380")' href="/topics/Shanghainese">Shanghainese
: Wahae Lu) is one of the two most famous shopping streets in Shanghai
, China; the other is Nanjing Road
. Compared with the more touristy Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road is more upscale, and is the preferered destinaton of local residents. Huaihai Road comprises three sections, the main section being Middle Huaihai Road in the former French Concession of Shanghai. Middle Huaihai Road is also well known by its former French name Avenue Joffre .
and Xuhui District
. East Huaihai Road, formerly Ningbo Road, is 373 metres (1,223.8 ft) long and was the boundary road between Huangpu
and Nanshi districts before the two districts merged. Middle Huaihai Road, the main section, is 5500 metres (18,044.6 ft) long. Most of this section lies in the former Luwan District
(which was also merged into Huangpu in 2010), and extends west into Xuhui and Changning districts.
, who visited Shanghai and attended an official renaming ceremony in 1922. In the 1920s Avenue Joffre became an enclave of a large community of Russians fleeing the Communist revolution
in their homeland.
The Japanese occupied Shanghai during WWII, taking over the foreign concessions in 1941. In 1943 Avenue Joffre was renamed Taishan Road after Mount Taishan. The name only lasted two years, and after Japan was defeated the Kuomintang
government renamed the street Lin Sen Road in honor of Lin Sen
, the former President of the Republic of China
who had died in 1943. However, the Communists in turn defeated the Kuomintang in the Chinese Civil War
, and took over Shanghai in 1949. A year later the Communist government gave the street the current name, to commemorate its victorious Huaihai Campaign
.
, most hosting shopping malls or department stores on the lower floors with offices on top.
The eastern section of Middle Huaihai Road near the popular Xintiandi
precinct has recently seen an influx of a large number of Western luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton
, Tiffany & Co.
, Cartier, and Ermenegildo Zegna
. Many of the stores were opened in 2010 to coincide with the Shanghai Expo.
runs underneath Middle Huaihai Road with three stations: Changshu Road (interchange with Line 7), South Shaanxi Road, and South Huangpi Road, all named after streets that intersect with Huaihai Road. East Huaihai Road is served by the Dashijie Station on Metro Line 8.
Shanghainese
Shanghainese , or the Shanghai language , is a dialect of Wu Chinese spoken in the city of Shanghai and the surrounding region. It is classified as part of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. Shanghainese, like other Wu dialects, is largely not mutually intelligible with other Chinese varieties...
: Wahae Lu) is one of the two most famous shopping streets in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China; the other is Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road is the name of more than one road:* Nanjing Road * Nanjing Road * Nanjing Road...
. Compared with the more touristy Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road is more upscale, and is the preferered destinaton of local residents. Huaihai Road comprises three sections, the main section being Middle Huaihai Road in the former French Concession of Shanghai. Middle Huaihai Road is also well known by its former French name Avenue Joffre .
Location
Today's Huaihai Road comprises three sections, which were formerly three distinct streets. West Huaihai Road, formerly called Jordan Road, is 1510 metres (4,954.1 ft) long and forms part of the boundary between Changning DistrictChangning District
Changning District is a district of Shanghai. It has a land area of 37.19 km² and a population of 620,000 as of 2003. The district government is located in 1320 Yuyuan Rd. Zhongshan Park is located in the district....
and Xuhui District
Xuhui District
Xuhui District is a district of Shanghai. It has a land area of 54.76 km² and a population of 982,200 as of 2008 .The Xuhui District is centred on Xujiahui, after which it is named. Xujiahui was historically land owned by Ming dynasty bureaucrat and scientist Xu Guangqi, and later donated to the...
. East Huaihai Road, formerly Ningbo Road, is 373 metres (1,223.8 ft) long and was the boundary road between Huangpu
Huangpu District, Shanghai
Huangpu District , is one of Shanghai's 18 districts and makes up the eastern part of Shanghai's traditional urban core. Today's Huangpu District is sometimes referred to as "new Huangpu" to distinguish it from the pre-merger Huangpu District which existed before 2000. In 2000, the pre-merger...
and Nanshi districts before the two districts merged. Middle Huaihai Road, the main section, is 5500 metres (18,044.6 ft) long. Most of this section lies in the former Luwan District
Luwan District
Luwan District was a district located in central Shanghai, China until its merger with Huangpu District, Shanghai in June 2011. It had an area of 8.05 km² and population of 350,000 as of 2001.- Location :...
(which was also merged into Huangpu in 2010), and extends west into Xuhui and Changning districts.
History
Middle Huaihai Road was built in 1901 as Rue Sikiang . Five years later it was renamed Route Paul Brunat . It was renamed again in 1915 to Avenue Joffre to honor the French general Joseph JoffreJoseph Joffre
Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre OM was a French general during World War I. He is most known for regrouping the retreating allied armies to defeat the Germans at the strategically decisive First Battle of the Marne in 1914. His popularity led to his nickname Papa Joffre.-Biography:Joffre was born in...
, who visited Shanghai and attended an official renaming ceremony in 1922. In the 1920s Avenue Joffre became an enclave of a large community of Russians fleeing the Communist revolution
Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution can refer to:* Russian Revolution , a series of strikes and uprisings against Nicholas II, resulting in the creation of State Duma.* Russian Revolution...
in their homeland.
The Japanese occupied Shanghai during WWII, taking over the foreign concessions in 1941. In 1943 Avenue Joffre was renamed Taishan Road after Mount Taishan. The name only lasted two years, and after Japan was defeated the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
government renamed the street Lin Sen Road in honor of Lin Sen
Lin Sen
Lin Sen , courtesy name Zichao , sobriquet Changren , was President of the National Government of the Republic of China from 1931 until his death.-Early life:...
, the former President of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
who had died in 1943. However, the Communists in turn defeated the Kuomintang in the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
, and took over Shanghai in 1949. A year later the Communist government gave the street the current name, to commemorate its victorious Huaihai Campaign
Huaihai Campaign
Huaihai Campaign or Battle of Hsupeng was a military action during 1948 and 1949 that was the determining battle of the Chinese Civil War. It was one of the few conventional battles of the war. 550,000 troops of the Republic of China were surrounded in Xuzhou and destroyed by the communist...
.
Shopping
The 5500 metres (3.4 mi) long Middle Huaihai Road has a large number of shops lining its route, from small boutiques to major department stores and shopping malls, as well as hotels and restaurants. Major buildings include Lippo Plaza, Shui On Plaza, Central Plaza, Shanghai Square, Shanghai Times Square, Hong Kong Plaza, and Hong Kong New World TowerHong Kong New World Tower
The Hong Kong New World Tower is a 61-floor skyscraper, completed in 2002, located near Huaihai Park in the Luwan District of Shanghai. It is 278 meters high and was built by Bregman and Hamann Architects. It overlooks the People's Square across the Yan'an Elevated Road.-External links:* at...
, most hosting shopping malls or department stores on the lower floors with offices on top.
The eastern section of Middle Huaihai Road near the popular Xintiandi
Xintiandi
Xintiandi is an affluent car-free shopping, eating and entertainment district of Shanghai, China. It is composed of an area of reconstituted traditional shikumen houses on narrow alleys, some adjoining houses which now serve as book stores, cafes and restaurants, and shopping malls. Most of the...
precinct has recently seen an influx of a large number of Western luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
, Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
, Cartier, and Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna is a leading Italian fashion house, specialing in men's clothing. Founded in 1910, it is now managed by the fourth generation of the Zegna family and remains in family ownership. As well as producing suits for its own labels, it manufactures suits for labels such as Gucci, Yves...
. Many of the stores were opened in 2010 to coincide with the Shanghai Expo.
Transportation
A section of Line 1 of the Shanghai MetroShanghai Metro
The Shanghai Metro is the urban rapid transit system of China's largest city, Shanghai. The system incorporates both subway and light rail lines. It opened in 1995, making Shanghai the third city in Mainland China, after Beijing and Tianjin, to have a rapid transit system...
runs underneath Middle Huaihai Road with three stations: Changshu Road (interchange with Line 7), South Shaanxi Road, and South Huangpi Road, all named after streets that intersect with Huaihai Road. East Huaihai Road is served by the Dashijie Station on Metro Line 8.