The former Shanghai International Settlement (上海公共租界 or Shànghǎi gōnggòng zūjiè) was governed by the Shanghai Municipal Council (上海工部局 or Shànghǎi gōng bùjú) from 1854 – December 1941. The Shanghai Municipal Council (S.M.C.) was mainly controlled by the British although it was an international settlement with foreign residents from all over the world. Chinese were not permitted seats on the council until 1928.

Shanghai's French Concession or La Concession Française de Shanghai [Changhai] (上海法租界 or Shànghǎi Fǎ Zūjiè) existed from 1849 until 1946. Much as it was in the Concession's glory days when it was considered by some to be the "Paris of the East", the former French Concession is still known for its romantic tree-lined streets and art-deco buildings. The French Concession was separate for the International Settlement and was responsible to the French Consulate General in Shanghai.


The Shanghai Municipal Council’s Public Works Department

The Shanghai Municipal Council’s (S.M.C.) Public Works Department (P.W.D.) was a subsidiary of the International Settlement’s government in a similar manner to the way the Shanghai Municipal Police (S.M.P.) force was. The initials S.M.C. & P.W.D. can still be found on many manholes throughout the former International Settlement even today.


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Xi Lu & Chendu Bei Lu (北京西路 成都北路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Xi Lu & Xinchang Lu (北京西路 新昌路）


International Settlement, Manhole - Nanjing Xi Lu & Chengdu Bei Lu (南京西路 成都北路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Xinqiao Lu & Xinzha Lu (新桥路 新闸路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Fuzhou Lu & Jiangxi Zhong Lu (福州路 江西中路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Xiamen Lu (厦门路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Fuzhou Lu & Jiangxi Zhong Lu (福州路 江西中路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Guizhou Lu & Zhifu Lu (贵州路 芝罘路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Xi Lu & Xinchang Lu (北京西路 新昌路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Shanxi Nan Lu & Beijing Dong Lu (山西南路 北京东路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Ningbo Lu & Henan Zhong Lu (宁波路 河南中路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Dong Lu & Fujian Lu (北京东路 福建路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Hankou Lu & Jiang Xi Zhong Lu (汉口路 江西中路）


International Settlement, Manhole - Hankou Lu & Jiang Xi Zhong Lu (汉口路 江西中路）


International Settlement, Manhole - Chengdu Bei Lu (成都北路) Note this is inside the former SMC Police Barracks


International Settlement, Manhole - Chengdu Bei Lu (成都北路) Note this is inside the former SMC Police Barracks


International Settlement, Manhole - Chengdu Bei Lu (成都北路) Note this is inside the former SMC Police Barracks


International Settlement, Manhole - Chengdu Bei Lu (成都北路) Note this is inside the former SMC Police Barracks


International Settlement, Manhole - Nanjing Xi Lu & Chengdu Bei Lu (南京西路 成都北路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Henan Lu & Guangdong Lu (河南路 广东路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Shajing Lu (沙泾路) Note this is in the former S.M.C. slaughterhouse


International Settlement, Facing - Shajing Lu (沙泾路) Note this is in the former S.M.C. slaughterhouse


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Dong Lu & Liuhe Lu (北京东路 六河路)


International Settlement, Manhole - Nanjing Dong Lu & Henan Lu（南京东路 河南路）


International Settlement, Manhole - Beijing Xi Lu & Shan Xi Lu (北京西路 山西路)