Former Public Concession Court

Overview

The Former Public Concession Court is a modern judicial building complex located at 191 Zhejiang North Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai. It was once the site of the joint Sino-foreign trial court of the Shanghai Public Concession. The building was first constructed during the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu period and later served as the Jiangsu Shanghai First Special Zone Local Court and the Shanghai People's Court, making it an important witness to the judicial system of the Shanghai concession and modern legal history. The exterior of the building still retains its eclectic style with red brick structures and courtyard layout, and it is one of the municipal cultural heritage protection units in Shanghai.

Getting There

To reach the Former Public Concession Court, you can take Shanghai Metro Line 1 or Line 12 to 'Hanzhong Road Station', and then walk about 10–15 minutes to the vicinity of 191 Zhejiang North Road; alternatively, you can take several bus routes that pass through Zhejiang North Road or Tianmu West Road and walk from the nearest bus stop.

Highlights

The most distinctive feature of the Former Public Concession Court is its history as the site of the joint Sino-foreign trial institution in the Shanghai British and American Concession, encapsulating the judicial history of the concession from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century and the collision of Chinese and foreign laws. The main building is constructed of brick and wood and exhibits eclectic architectural style, with a facade combining red bricks, white trim, and simplified classical decorations, showcasing the diverse architectural features of modern Shanghai. The site has served as the Jiangsu Shanghai First Special Zone Local Court, part of the Jiangsu High Court, and the Shanghai People's Court during the Republic of China and after liberation, witnessing the evolution of Shanghai's judicial system from the concession period to the modern court system. As a protected cultural building in Shanghai, the exterior of the complex is well-preserved, offering significant historical and cultural value for travelers interested in modern history, legal history, and urban changes.

What to See

Main Building of the Former Public Concession Court: A two-story modern building constructed around 1900, featuring a brick and wood structure with a facade primarily of red bricks, complemented by white window frames and simple decorative trim. It originally housed the trial court, hearing rooms, and office spaces, serving as the core location for joint Sino-foreign trial cases in the concession. Special Zone Local Court Building: Adjacent to the main court building, this brick and concrete structure was designed by architect Yang Ximiao and built in 1931. It served as the office building for the Jiangsu Shanghai First Special Zone Local Court and later the Shanghai People's Court, reflecting the solemn architectural style of court buildings during the Republic of China. Courtyard and Walls: The site originally featured a small courtyard space, complemented by a simple wall and entrance design, creating a semi-open judicial administrative area. Although it is primarily used for office purposes today, the scale and layout of the former institutional building can still be felt from the street. Historical Plaques and Introductions: The exterior walls of the building typically display cultural heritage or historical building plaques, briefly introducing the historical background and construction period of the Former Public Concession Court, making it suitable for travelers to stop and read to quickly understand its significance in the history of the Shanghai concession.

Hours & Admission

The Former Public Concession Court is primarily used for office purposes and is not a large tourist attraction that is regularly open to the public. Generally, visitors can only view the exterior, and specific open areas and times are subject to announcements from the site or relevant institutions. Typically, the external streetscape and building facade can be viewed and photographed year-round without an entrance fee; during cultural heritage days or special open events, some areas may be accessible for guided tours, often free or requiring prior reservation. It is advisable to pay attention to information regarding Shanghai's cultural and natural heritage days and any temporary opening arrangements announced by the Jing'an District or Shanghai cultural heritage departments to seize the rare opportunity for interior visits.

Address

191 Zhejiang North Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China

Travel Tips

The Former Public Concession Court is suitable for combining visits with nearby modern buildings and old street walking routes. It is recommended to allocate about 30 minutes to 1 hour for leisurely walking and photographing in the surrounding area to experience the urban texture left from the concession period. If you wish to capture shadows and details of the building's facade, consider visiting on a sunny morning or afternoon when the lighting is better; rainy days can enhance the sense of age of the red brick building, creating a different atmosphere. Since the building is mainly used for office purposes, please take photos from outside the walls or designated public areas, and be mindful of access restrictions and security notices to avoid disturbing the office staff inside. During special festivals such as cultural and natural heritage days, some modern judicial sites in Shanghai may hold concentrated open events or themed tours, so it is advisable to check official information and make reservations in advance for a more complete historical explanation experience. The surrounding area is a mature city center community, with dining, convenience stores, and public transportation readily available, making it easy to combine visits to Nanjing West Road, Suhewan, and other shopping districts or other red and concession historical sites.

Nearby Dining

Due to the Former Public Concession Court's central location in Jing'an District, there are many local restaurants, snacks, and cafes within walking distance, allowing travelers to enjoy Shanghai flavors while strolling through the area. Visitors can explore local eateries along Zhejiang North Road and Tianmu West Road to taste daily snacks such as Shengjian (pan-fried buns), wontons, and noodles, or head to the Nanjing West Road and Jing'an Temple shopping areas for a wider variety of Chinese and Western dining options and cafes. If your itinerary spans lunch and dinner, consider dining at a city center mall or a specialty restaurant in the alley before walking or taking a short ride to the former court for photos, to avoid time constraints when searching for restaurants near the purely office area.

FAQ

Q: What is the historical background of the Former Public Concession Court? A: The Former Public Concession Court was the judicial institution for joint Sino-foreign trial cases in the Shanghai Public Concession, later becoming the site of the Jiangsu Shanghai First Special Zone Local Court and the Shanghai People's Court. It witnessed the transition from the concession period's 'joint trial court' system to the special zone court during the Republic of China, and then to the People's Court system of New China, making it an important physical relic for studying modern Shanghai's legal history and concession system. Q: Can visitors enter the Former Public Concession Court now? A: The Former Public Concession Court is primarily used for office purposes, and most of the time, visitors can only view and photograph the building's exterior from the street. There is no large public exhibition area that is regularly open. During special events such as cultural and natural heritage days, some modern judicial buildings in Shanghai may open briefly for public tours, so keep an eye on official announcements for opportunities to visit inside. Q: Is there an admission fee to visit the Former Public Concession Court? A: Generally, there is no admission fee to enjoy the building's exterior and streetscape from the roadside. If there are future official organized themed tours or special open events, any fees and reservation methods will be based on current announcements, but most cultural heritage day activities tend to be free or charge a symbolic fee. Q: Is transportation convenient to the Former Public Concession Court? A: The Former Public Concession Court is located in the city center of Jing'an District, close to multiple metro and bus lines, making transportation very convenient. You can take Metro Line 1 or Line 12 to 'Hanzhong Road Station' and walk about 10–15 minutes to reach it, or choose from several bus lines that pass through Zhejiang North Road and Tianmu West Road, getting off at the nearest stop and walking from there. Q: What is the difference between the Former Public Concession Court and the Former French Concession Court? A: The Former Public Concession Court belongs to the judicial institution of the original British and American Public Concession, located in the Zhejiang North Road area of Jing'an District; the Former French Concession Court is part of the original French Concession, located near Jianguo Middle Road in Huangpu District. The two belong to different concession management authorities. Both adopted the Sino-foreign 'joint trial' system to handle cases within the concessions, and were later reclaimed around 1930 and reorganized into special zone local courts of the Chinese judicial system, both now listed as heritage buildings and repurposed in different ways.

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