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.


Yesterdays Tombstones in Today's Shanghai Parks

It's no secret that many of Shanghai's city parks were foreigner cemeteries during this city's colonial period. Some of these (now) parks still have a few old tombstones scattered about and hidden within them.



Yangpu Public Park (杨浦公园)

According to a few old Shanghai maps the location of today's Yangpu Park, where stones below are located, was not a cemetery during Shanghai's colonial period. This, plus the fact that the tombstones in Yangpu Park are those of Chinese Christians/ Catholics (as the tombstones in Chinese all have crosses on them) or belong to foreign nationals as they have Latin, English, or French writing on them, supports the theory that these tombstones were relocated to their current spot sometime after 1949.

While not completely sure, it's possible that these tombstones came from the former Pahsienjao Cemetery (八仙桥公墓) that was in Shanghai's former French Concession located on today's Huaihai Middle Road (淮海中路) or yesterday's Avenue Joffre. Today the Pahsienjao Cemetery's former space is occupied by Huaihai Park (淮海公园). Apparently the Pahsienjao Cemetery was removed from Huaihai Middle Road between October 1957 to February 1958 (a notice was placed that all tombs would be removed in June 1957). Interestingly enough, Yangpu Park was started in early 1957 and finished in January 1958 making it likely that the unclaimed stones were recycled there for use in the new park.




Tombstone in English


Tombstone in English


Tombstone in English


Tombstone in English (Believed to be for the Same Person as the Armenian Tombstone Below)


Tombstone in Armenian (Believed to be for the Same Person as the English Tombstone Above)


Tombstone in Latin - "Qui diuturnum et crudelem morbum aequo animo passus dulcissime in domino nostro jesu christo obdormivit." Translates to: He whose soul calmly passes on after long and cruel suffering, finds sweet rest/relief/sleep in our Lord Jesus Christ.


Tombstone in French - "Frère Théodoret Mariste né à la Motte-Servolex, Savoie. (France)" Translates to: Marist Brother Théodoret born in la Motte-Servolex, Savoy. (France). According to a circular from the Marist Brothers' website (http://www.champagnat.org/en/index.php), Frère Théodoret or F. Théodoret, died in Shanghai, China (Changhaï (Chine)) on 16 September 1943. See the circular by clicking here.


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Tombstone in Chinese


Heping Public Park (和平公园)


Tombstone in English


Side 1 of Tombstone in English


Side 2 of Tombstone in English


Side 3 Tombstone in English (Side 4 is blank)