A leisurely stroll through some streets in Shanghai will reveal fascinating aspects that you might otherwise have missed in a fleeting bus or taxi ride. Walks on the city's beautiful streets introduce to you a mix of architectural styles from Shanghai shikumen (stone-gate houses), British colonial, Neoclassicism, Spanish colonial and Art Deco to modern styles dotted along the road or hidden inside lanes.

Many of the buildings' charming origins and character have been retained over the years. Those of both historical and architectural interest are adorned with gray plaques giving the date of construction, the architectural style, if known, and other background details about each building. A walk can take you off the main streets and into the back lanes for a closer glimpse of everyday Shanghai life. However, before your walk, knowing a bit about the history and character of the streets you are visiting means you can concentrate on the essence. Here we list 10 streets worth exploring for your personal enjoyment and to discover more about Shanghai.

Wukang Road

Today's Wukang Road was formerly named Ferguson Route, in honor of John Calvin Ferguson. A young American missionary sent to China near the end of the 19th century, he became an important figure who advised on trade and foreign relations. The street, starting from the intersection with Anfu Road and ending on Huaihai Road M., reveals the magical past of the city. Along with abundant plane trees, there is no shortage of old buildings with eclectic architecture of varying styles and periods. The most famous property is the Normandie Apartments, designed by L.E. Hudec in 1923 and constructed in 1924. It is a grand example of Neoclassical architecture inspired by the French Renaissance period. Another highlight on the road is Ferguson Lane at 376 Wukang Road, which is worth a stop for some decent French food and wine tasting in a pleasant ambiance.

Fuxing Road W.

The leafy Fuxing Road W. starts at the little triangle of greenery called Brunat Park, at the junction with Huaihai Road M. As you wind your way down the former Route Boissezon, past Wulumuqi Road, Yongfu Road, Wukang Road and Gaoyou Road to the last junction with Huashan Road, there are rows of villas and lane houses shaded by tall platane trees. This western section of Fuxing Road is considered one of the most beautiful streets in the former French concession area and offers several fun finds. Le Passage, close to Huashan Road, is one of the first lifestyle complexes in the city converted from old residential blocks, which includes a yoga studio, a restaurant and cafe, and lifestyle boutiques.

Anfu Road

Anfu Road is a short street with a strong cultural and arty atmosphere. The French built Anfu Road between 1915 and 1916 and named it Rue Dupleix after a French navy officer. Running from Wukang Road to Changshu Road, the street has rows of low-rise European-style houses converted into cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. Popular food and beverage destinations are located in the section between Wukang and Wulumuqi roads, including Baker & Spice bakery and Mr Willis. More retail spaces including design furniture stores and chic fashion boutiques have been sprouting up in the past two years so you can easily while an afternoon away in the area. At the western end of the street is the Shanghai Drama Arts Center, which has brought many creditable classical and contemporary plays to the city.

Sinan Road

Sinan Road remains one of the few streets in the city that still captures some of the feel of Shanghai in the early 1930s. It's difficult to resist peering through the garden gates of the exquisite villas that line the street. Most of the facades have ornate detailing, charming European-style doors, windows and balconies. One property at the junction with Xiangshan Road is the Sun Yat-sen Museum and at No. 73 Sinan Road is a French-style garden house where Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, lived during 1946 to 1947. A recent renovation project, located on the section of Fuxing Road between Sinan Road and Chongqing Road S., has transformed a total of 49 historic villas into a plush leisure destination. This latest project shows the ever-growing trend for converting the city's colonial buildings into commercially driven high-end lifestyle centers.

Yuyuan Road

Yuyuan Road, to the west of the former International Settlement boundary, was predominantly developed in the 1920s and 1930s. Before 1949, occupants were a mix of wealthy Westerners and Chinese. This isn't a street that many locals and expats visit. Unlike most streets inside the former foreign enclaves, where they have been converted for commercial use, Yuyuan Road still retains its residential estate style with a distinct neighborhood atmosphere. Hidden inside lanes along the street is an amazing range of eccentric dwelling places: some renovated but the majority of them untouched and appearing just how they would have in the 1930s. One of the most famous buildings is Changning Children's Palace built inside Lane 1136, a stunning Gothic mansion constructed in the 1930s.

Shaoxing Road

Formerly Rue Victor-Emmanuel III, Shaoxing Road is a quintessential Shanghai street. This lovely 420-meter-long road running between Shaanxi Road S. and Ruijin No. 2 Road has made it a perfect home for cultural institutions and European-style cafes. Recognized as the publishing street of Shanghai it is home to several publishing houses including the Shanghai Literature & Art Publishing Group. It also features some of the city's most popular cafes such as Old China Hand Reading Room, Vienna Cafe and Manne et Sante.

Dongping Road

The former Route Francis Garnier was once one of the city's most prestigious streets and it maintains its charming atmosphere today. It was previously the home of China's power elite Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling as well as one of the richest men in the world, Soong Tzu-wen (T.V. Soong). They lived in the best part of town, right in the heart of the former French concession. Now, the sumptuous mansions have been converted to high-end restaurants, bars and lifestyle boutiques. The small street, from the corner with Wulumuqi Road to the junction with Fenyang and Yueyang roads, is extremely charming and pleasantly quiet in late afternoon.

Taikang Road

The short road that runs between Sinan Road and Ruijin No. 2 Road was once an unexceptional downtown strip. It might not be the most impressive-looking street in the city but its unique charm lies in the lanes behind it. A vibrant art and culture scene is perfectly combined with genuine shikumen architecture hidden inside the roadside lanes. Though a bit touristy, it's pleasant to walk, explore and observe a vivid local neighborhood scene. Many local residents continue to live in the upper floors of their dwellings while cafes and boutiques operate at ground level.

Tian'ai Road

The words Tian and Ai in Chinese mean "sweet" and "love" so locals consider it the most romantic road for lovers. It is located in Hongkou District, the former Jewish quarter that became a ghetto in World War II. Running for about 531 meters from Sichuan Road N. in the south to the western wall of the Lu Xun Park in the north, Tian'an Road took shape in 1920. Along the roadsides are lanes and houses built between the 1930s and 1940s. The quiet street is beautified by the flourishing tall chinar trees and flowers, an ideal getaway for lovers seeking a romantic walk in the summer. There is a postbox on Tian'an Road where all the letters sent from it are stamped with a special love stamp.

Xinhua Road

There is a good balance between residential and commercial characters on Xinhua Road, which is sheltered beneath rows of robust, dark green plane trees and wedged between European-inspired villas of German, Dutch, Spanish and Italian persuasion. Stylish young people sip coffee in cafes and aged local residents stroll leisurely in the lanes, along the road. Dotted with a few sites of heritage architecture, the road starts from Huaihai Road E. and ends on Zhongshan Road W. The most charming section is between Panyu and Dingxi roads. Xinhua Road was first built in 1925 and named Amherst Street by local foreign merchants.