Welcome to Xuhui District (徐汇区) — the neighborhood that consistently tops every expat’s wish list. Spanning from the historic Former French Concession in the north down to Shanghai South Railway Station, Xuhui perfectly balances old-world charm with modern urban living. At Jason Shanghai Homes, we’ve helped hundreds of expat families find their dream home in Xuhui over the past 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know.
A Brief History of Xuhui
Xuhui’s story begins in the late 19th century when it became part of the Shanghai French Concession (1849–1943). The French planted plane trees along the avenues, built European-style villas, and created a garden suburb that was unlike anything else in Asia. After the concession era ended, Xuhui retained its distinct architectural character — Art Deco apartments, lane houses (lilong), and grand mansions.
The district’s name comes from Xu Guangqi (徐光启), a 17th-century Ming dynasty scholar who collaborated with Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci. His tomb and memorial park sit near Xujiahui, the district’s commercial heart. This fusion of Chinese scholarship and European influence shaped Xuhui’s DNA — a place where cultures have been mixing for over 400 years.
Today, Xuhui is home to over 1.2 million residents and covers 55 square kilometers, making it one of Shanghai’s most densely populated and desirable districts.
Neighborhood Breakdown: Where Expats Live in Xuhui
Former French Concession (Fuxing Lu, Wukang Lu, Hunan Lu)
The crown jewel of Xuhui. Tree-canopied streets lined with 1920s Art Deco apartments, hidden courtyard lane houses, and some of the best cafes and restaurants in Shanghai. Wukang Road (武康路) is particularly famous — the Wukang Mansion (Normandie Apartments) is one of Shanghai’s most photographed buildings.
What to expect: Premium pricing, smaller floor plans, incredible character. A renovated 2-bedroom lane house runs ¥20,000–35,000/month. Modern apartment buildings with elevators start around ¥18,000/month for a 2-bedroom.
Best for: Singles and couples who prioritize walkability, dining, and nightlife. Not ideal for families needing lots of space.
Xujiahui (徐家汇)
The commercial center of Xuhui and one of Shanghai’s five major shopping hubs. Grand Gateway, Metro City, and Orient Shopping Center form a retail megaplex with every brand imaginable. Xujiahui is also a major transportation hub with Metro Lines 1, 9, and 11 intersecting.
What to expect: Modern high-rise apartments, convenient but busy. 2-bedroom apartments: ¥12,000–22,000/month.
Best for: Professionals working nearby who want shopping and transport convenience. Also popular with students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
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Hengshan Lu / Dongping Lu Area
Once Shanghai’s legendary bar street, Hengshan Road has evolved into a more refined dining and entertainment strip. The area around Hengshan Park and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music offers beautiful walks and Art Deco heritage. Dongping Road is lined with upscale restaurants in converted villas.
What to expect: Mid-to-high-end apartments, excellent dining. 2-bedroom: ¥15,000–30,000/month.
Best for: Food lovers and those who want to be close to the action without living above a nightclub.
Shanghai Stadium / Tianlin Area
Further south, this area around Shanghai Stadium offers larger apartments at more reasonable prices. Tianlin is an established residential area popular with local families and increasingly with expats looking for more space.
What to expect: Larger apartments (100–150 sqm), family compounds, quieter streets. 2-bedroom: ¥8,000–15,000/month. 3-bedroom: ¥12,000–22,000/month.
Best for: Families on a budget, long-term residents who don’t need to be in the city center every day.
Longhua / Shanghai South Railway Station
The southern edge of Xuhui. Home to the historic Longhua Temple and Pagoda (the oldest temple complex in Shanghai, dating to 242 AD). The area around Shanghai South Railway Station is seeing rapid development with new residential compounds.
What to expect: Newer compounds, the best value in Xuhui. 2-bedroom: ¥7,000–12,000/month.
Best for: Value-conscious renters who don’t mind a longer commute. Good access to Shanghai South Station for regional travel.
International Schools in Xuhui
Xuhui has excellent education options for expat families:
- Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID) — One of China’s most prestigious schools, located on Baise Road. Offers AP and IB programs. Buses serve most Xuhui compounds.
- Yew Chung International School (YCIS) — Puxi Campus — Located in the heart of the Former French Concession on Shuicheng Road. British and IB curriculum.
- Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School — Popular bilingual option for younger children on Guilin Road.
- Community Center Shanghai (CCS) — Minhang Campus — Nearby for playgroups and toddler programs.
Parks and Green Spaces
Despite its urban density, Xuhui has some of Shanghai’s best parks:
- Xujiahui Park (徐家汇公园) — A beautifully landscaped 8-hectare park built on the site of the former Great China Rubber Factory. Features a preserved red-brick chimney as a historical landmark, walking paths, a small lake, and excellent people-watching.
- Hengshan Park (衡山公园) — A compact but elegant park near Hengshan Road, perfect for morning tai chi or an afternoon stroll.
- Guilin Park (桂林公园) — A classical Chinese garden with pavilions, rockeries, and osmanthus trees. Originally a private garden built by a Shanghai gangster in the 1930s.
- Shanghai Botanical Garden (上海植物园) — 81 hectares of gardens including a penjing (bonsai) museum, rose garden, and bamboo forest. Worth the trip to southern Xuhui.
- Longhua Martyrs’ Cemetery — A solemn but beautifully maintained park surrounding the historic Longhua Pagoda.
Dining and Nightlife
Xuhui is arguably Shanghai’s best dining district. Here’s where expats actually eat:
- Wukang Road & Anfu Road — The epicenter of Shanghai’s cafe culture. Try Baker & Spice for brunch, Funkadeli for Italian aperitivo, and RAC for galettes and natural wine.
- Yongkang Road — A narrow lane transformed into a pedestrian-friendly strip of bars and restaurants. More casual than the Bund, more character than Jing’an.
- Dongping Road — Upscale dining in converted villas. Sasha’s and its garden terrace are a Shanghai institution.
- Xingguo Road & Tai’an Road — Quiet streets with hidden gem restaurants. Lost Heaven on Gao’an Road serves excellent Yunnan cuisine.
- Xujiahui malls — For quick, reliable meals, the food courts at Grand Gateway and Metro City offer everything from Sichuan to Japanese.
Transportation
Xuhui is exceptionally well-connected:
- Metro Lines: 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12 all pass through Xuhui, making virtually every corner of Shanghai accessible within 30-45 minutes.
- Cycling: Xuhui’s tree-lined streets make it one of Shanghai’s most bikeable districts. The former French concession streets are especially pleasant for cycling.
- Taxis/Didi: Readily available. A Didi to Jing’an takes 10-15 minutes, to Pudong Lujiazui about 30 minutes.
- High-Speed Rail: Shanghai South Railway Station in southern Xuhui offers high-speed trains to Hangzhou (45 min), Nanjing (90 min), and beyond.
Rental Market Snapshot (May 2026)
| Area | 2BR (¥/month) | 3BR (¥/month) | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Former French Concession | 18,000–35,000 | 28,000–50,000 | Charming, walkable, premium |
| Xujiahui | 12,000–22,000 | 18,000–35,000 | Convenient, commercial, busy |
| Hengshan / Dongping | 15,000–30,000 | 25,000–42,000 | Dining-focused, elegant |
| Tianlin / Stadium | 8,000–15,000 | 12,000–22,000 | Family-friendly, spacious |
| Longhua / South Station | 7,000–12,000 | 10,000–18,000 | Emerging, value |
Looking for an apartment in Xuhui?
Jason Shanghai Homes has 20+ years of experience placing expats in Xuhui’s best compounds. Get in touch or browse our listings.
Why Expats Choose Xuhui
Over two decades of helping expats settle in Shanghai, we’ve found that Xuhui appeals to a specific type of resident:
- Those who value character over newness — Xuhui’s old lanes and Art Deco buildings have soul that new Pudong compounds can’t replicate.
- Food and coffee enthusiasts — The density of excellent independent restaurants and cafes is unmatched anywhere else in Shanghai.
- Walkers and cyclists — Tree-lined streets, wide sidewalks, and a human scale make Xuhui the most pedestrian-friendly district.
- Culture lovers — Proximity to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and numerous galleries.
- Families with school-age children — Access to both SHSID and YCIS Puxi campus is a major draw.
Ready to Call Xuhui Home?
Whether you are looking for a charming lane house on Wukang Road or a modern family compound near Shanghai Stadium, Jason Shanghai Homes has the local knowledge and network to find your ideal Xuhui apartment. With 20 years of experience and over 1,000 expat families settled, no one knows Xuhui like we do.
Browse Xuhui properties or contact Jason on WeChat: Jasonli_0617 or get in touch for a personalized consultation. WeChat: Jasonli_0617.
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Featured Properties in Xuhui
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