Remember the name Xu Guangqi. It echoes through the history of Xuhui District. We are standing in a place that has evolved from farmland to a bustling urban center. Xuhui District is more than just a location. It’s a symbol of Shanghai’s dynamic spirit.
Xuhui District covers 54.76 square kilometers. Over one million people call it home. That’s about 20,000 residents per square kilometer. The district sits in the southwestern part of central Shanghai.
Once upon a time, this land belonged to Xu Guangqi. He was a Ming Dynasty bureaucrat and scientist. Xu later donated the land to the Roman Catholic Church. This act shaped Xuhui’s future. Xuhui and the old Luwan District became the heart of Catholic Shanghai. This area was once the French Concession.
Today, hints of French influence remain. St. Ignatius Cathedral stands as a testament to this past. You can also see it in Xuhui College and the Xujiahui Observatory. Some boulevards and French-style districts still exist.
However, Xuhui has also embraced modernity. Xujiahui has transformed into a major shopping destination. Grand Gateway Shanghai and Pacific Sogo are popular malls. Xuhui District is one of Shanghai’s four sub-centers. It is also one of the top ten commercial centers. Luxury goods and entertainment thrive here.
Four hundred years ago, Xu Guangqi lived here. Several creeks converged near his residence. The Zhaojiabang was one of them. Xu wrote many books on his property. He also experimented with new farming techniques.
As more of Xu’s descendants settled here, the area became known as Xujiahui. This happened during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Xuhui symbolizes the meeting of Chinese and Western cultures. Xu introduced Western sciences. He opened a window to the world for the Chinese.
Over the centuries, Xu Guangqi’s legacy continued. Institutions dedicated to science, culture, and education were established. The Former Site of Xuhui Public School is one example. You can also visit Xujiahui Bibliotheca and Xujiahui Cathedral. Don’t miss the Former Site of Xujiahui Observatory.
Guangqi Park is a green oasis in the city. Inside the park, you’ll find the Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall. Other notable places include Shanghai T’ou-Sè-Wè Museum and Pathe Villa. The March of the Volunteers was recorded here.
Xuhui Park offers a place to relax. The Shanghai Film Museum showcases the city’s cinematic history. Shanghai Jiao Tong University and C. Y. Tung Maritime Museum are also located in Xuhui.
Xuhui’s climate is humid subtropical. July is the wettest month. January is the coldest. The highest recorded temperature was 40.9 degrees Celsius. The lowest was -10.1 degrees Celsius.
Getting around Xuhui is easy. Multiple metro lines serve the district. These include lines 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11.
Xuhui District has many restaurants. Sincere Restaurant is known for fried plain buns and hairy crabs. Laoijishi Restaurant offers stewed pork and fried tofu. 1001 Noodles House serves soup noodles with sirloin.
Xuhui District embodies Shanghai’s past and present. It is a place where cultures meet and innovation thrives. As we conclude our walk, remember Xu Guangqi. His vision helped shape this remarkable district.