The Xinhua Road Historical and Cultural Block is one of the 12 historical zones in central Shanghai and is also one of the four major Shanghai-style community areas.

Xinhua Road was formerly known as Amherst Avenue. The Xinhua Road Historical and Cultural Block covers about 34 hectares – defined by Panyu Road - West Huaihai Road - Anshun Road - Dingxi Road - Fahuazhen Road.

The zone boasts low-density modern garden houses with diverse architectural styles, lush gardens and elegant surroundings.

Notable features include the Foreign Lane where villas influenced by the UK, Dutch, Italian and Spanish styles once served as residences for foreign nationals and consulates.

Highlights

Plum Well Villa

Plum Well Villa, designed by architect Xi Fuquan (1902-1983) and completed in 1935, stands out with its unique red flat tile roofs and modern architectural style.

Xinhua Villas (Foreign Lane)

Xinhua Villas, bounded by Lane 211 and Lane 329, has a blend of architectural styles from the 1930s. It includes the residence of the Swedish Consul General and the iconic Cake House – a two-story circular garden house at No 36 Xinhua Road, which was designed by Hungarian-Slovak architect Laszlo Hudec (1893-1958).

Laszlo Hudec Memorial

An exterior view of the Laszlo Hudec Memorial. [Photo/sqcb.zhoudaosh.com]

The Laszlo Hudec Memorial, located at No 129 Panyu Road, honors the legacy of the famous architect. His diverse styles, from neoclassical to Art Deco, continue to influence Shanghai's architectural landscape. Learn more about him on https://www.historic-shanghai.com/laszlo-hudec-shanghais-master-builder/

Shanghai Film Art Center

Shanghai Film Art Center. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Situated within the historic mansion at No 200 Xinhua Road, the Shanghai Film Art Center was unveiled on June 14, 2024 to provide richer film-related experiences – coinciding with the opening of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Addresses:

- Plum Well Villa: Lane 593, Xinhua Road, Changning district

- Xinhua Villas: No 17, No 32 and No 36 in Lane 329, No 2 in Lane 211, Xinhua Road, Changning district

- Laszlo Hudec Memorial: No 127-129 Panyu Road, Changning district

- Shanghai Film Art Center: No 200 Xinhua Road, Changning district

Sources: shtong.gov.cn, sqcb.zhoudaosh.com, China Daily, "changning_culture" WeChat account