The Chinese City - click on the pictures to see a larger version
In the 16th century, the area of Shanghai was prone to attacks by Japanese pirates and the town applied for permission to build a city wall. The wall was built in 1555, in a roughly circular shape with six gates and four water entrances. A map of the city and its wall dating from 1817 can be viewed here.
This picture, dating from somewhere between 1821-1850, shows the Shanghai city walls, the eastern Baodaimen Gate and ships on the Huangpu River lined up at the Shiliu Pu (16 wharf) landing, with much commercial activity in evidence. Click to see a larger image.
The wall was pulled down soon after the Republican Revolution of 1911, and the moat which
originally surrounded it was filled in. But its shape could continue to be discerned in the road pattern of the area.
unless otherwise indicated