Huaihai Road

Middle Huaihai Road is also well known by its former French name Avenue Joffre (Chinese: 霞飛路; pinyin: Xiáfēi Lù; Shanghainese: Iafi Lu).

[3] Middle Huaihai Road was built in 1901 as Rue Sikiang (Chinese: 西江路), after the Xi River.

In the 1920s Avenue Joffre became an enclave of a large community of Russians fleeing the Communist revolution in their homeland, which led to the middle section of the street becoming a commercial centre, lined with European-style shops, cafes and restaurants.

A year later the Communist government gave the street the current name, to commemorate its victorious Huaihai Campaign.

As part of the terms settling the dispute, the road was named after the association's home city.

The road was mostly lined with high-end apartment buildings and large houses owned by Chinese and foreign elites.

[8][9] The eastern section of Middle Huaihai Road near the popular Xintiandi precinct has recently seen an influx of a large number of Western luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Coach, Inc., Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A., Balenciaga, Dior, Burberry, Moschino, Valentino SpA, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Marks & Spencer, UGG, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Prada, Victoria's Secret, Hermès, Vivienne Westwood, Giorgio Armani SpA, Chanel and Ermenegildo Zegna.