The Xintiandi area is also called the "French quarter" due to the fact that in this part of town was once the French concession. The approximate time of the appearance of Xintiandi and 1849, it was at this time he was marked on maps of the city. After 11 years, the boundaries of the old district has expanded greatly, and in 1917 began congregating here Russians fleeing the revolution. To the 20-30-th years of the Russian population amounted to one third of the total number of the foreign population of Shanghai.

Today, the French quarter is referred to that part of the city, which is located between the streets Cthulu and Huaihai. This area is considered the most beautiful, romantic and unusual area of Shanghai. This is especially attractive place for lovers of Hiking. The buildings are very old in appearance, strongly reminiscent of a classic European quarter. All the houses in the area preserved in its original form. Doors, pavers, brick walls, balconies – all this creates in the Xintiandi atmosphere of the 1920-ies.

The most remarkable building of this quarter is the House-Museum of the 1st Congress of the Communist party of China. This Museum contains wax figures of Mao TSE Tung, his associates, as well as many photographs.

The main street where all the restaurants, tea rooms and bars of the area, called Andong Liu. Nearby is the house in which from 1918 to 1924 sun Yat-sen lived. Apartment sun completely renovated and reconstructed in its original form, including the gramophone on the shelf and lots of books. Near his house is the former residence of the first Prime Minister of the people's Republic of China – Zhou Enlai.

Street Maoming Nan Liu is famous for an abundance of clubs and bars, many of them open till the morning. The main shopping street Xintiandi is considered Huaihai Zhong Liu, and at the intersection of this street and Shaanxi Nan Liu is the main market of Shanghai – Sanyan that sells almost everything: clothes, shoes, Souvenirs and home appliances.