This book is a unique artifact. It’s not a novel with a plot, but a compilation of travel writings from European explorers and observers in the late 19th century. Published in the French journal Le Tour du Monde (Around the World), it captures Shanghai at a pivotal moment—a treaty port forced open to foreign trade, transforming from a regional hub into an international metropolis.

The Story

There’s no single narrative thread. Instead, you get a mosaic of first-hand experiences. One writer might detail the chaotic, bustling harbor, jammed with traditional junks and new steamships. Another walks you through the maze-like Chinese city, describing the smells of street food and the sounds of merchants. Yet another gives a tour of the newly established foreign concessions—orderly streets and Western buildings that feel like a slice of Europe dropped onto the Yangtze Delta. The "story" is the city itself, growing and changing day by day, seen through many pairs of foreign eyes.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this collection so compelling is its raw perspective. You’re not getting a polished history lesson. You’re reading the real-time reactions of people experiencing culture shock. Their descriptions are vivid and unfiltered, full of wonder, prejudice, curiosity, and misunderstanding. It’s a powerful reminder that a city’s identity is built layer by layer. Reading their accounts, you can feel the energy and tension of a place caught between its ancient past and an uncertain, globalized future. It adds incredible depth to the Shanghai we know today.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for armchair travelers and history lovers who enjoy primary sources. If you like seeing history unfold through personal letters or diaries, you’ll love this. It’s also a great fit for anyone fascinated by Shanghai, offering a foundational look at its modern origins. A word of caution: the views are very much of their colonial-era time, so read with a critical mind. But if you can view it as a historical document, it’s an absolutely captivating window into the birth of a world city.