The former French Concession, an elegant and luxurious district of relative calm, is best explored on foot. A chic area of the city since it was first established in the early 20C, it has continued to perpetuate its tradition for good living, and is now home to high quality restaurants, bars, nigh clubs, and shopping streets teeming with top brand names. This residential quarter, with its plane tree shaded avenues, and superb architectural heritage characterised by the finest colonial residences in Shanghai, is a perfect fusion of elegance, tradition and contemporary style.