The hues around Shanghai

Green

The iconic French planes were first introduced to the former French concession in Shanghai by immigrants from France in the early 20th century as a means of relieving homesickness. The trees gradually became ubiquitous in the city, which is often dubbed the "Paris of the East". Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, the plane trees also serve a practical purpose - they create a thick canopy that shelters people from the summer heat. Residents armed with fans used to seek reprieve from the scorching sun under these trees before the mid-1990s when air conditioners were still uncommon.

Some famous boulevards featuring French planes include Hengshan Road, which is located at the heart of the former French concession. Fuxing Road, which is home to a large number of old Shanghai-style alleys, as well as Shaoxing Road, where people can find several publishing houses that are more than eight decades old.