Walks around Shanghai: Wukang Mansion

The “Wukang Mansion” building is an icon of Shanghai. Located in the heart of the Xuhui district —a central location of what is known as “The former french concession” — it is one of Lazlo Hudec’s masterpieces peppered around the center of town.

Reminiscent of the Flatiron Building in New York City, it was completed in the haydays of pre-war Shanghai. Today it stands tall surrounded by trendy cafes, bakeries, and cocktail bars.

A more macabre side of the building can be found in its history. During the Cultural Revolution, locals referred to it as “the diving board” — the building being home to a large number of intellectuals and others labeled “class enemies”— as residents jumping out of the window to avoid a “struggle session” with red guards became a regular occurrence.

Our walk today, for a change, will take place inside the building itself.

The entrance on the ground floor, or the ‘first floor’ as it is known here in China.

The first floor, as you see the hallways double up as bicycle parking spaces and general storage.

The very typical Shanghaiese windows.

View on the other wing of the building, from the top floor.

We will find our way back down, this time using the side stairway.

While walking down again, we will take some time to enjoy the beautiful windowns and the view of the Jingan and Xuhui districts they are showing us.

Life doesn’t stop at the front door in China, residents will use the public area liberally as well.

One final look at the wonderful windows on our way out.

The inner courtyard of the building.

And the exit again…