A walk in the French Concession with Tess Johnston

 RAS WEEKENDER

Saturday May 22^nd, 2010 @ 10.00am

Meeting Point: Donghu Hotel entrance 70 Donghu Road, Shanghai

Address in Chinese: 东湖路70号东湖宾馆门口

Frenchtown’s Lanes and VIP: A walk with TESS JOHNSTON 

The circular walk winds through the crowded lanes off of Avenue Joffre/Huai Hai Lu, then moves upscale, past the villas of the Soong Family, including those of Chiang Kai-shek, H.H. Kung and T. V. Soong on the prestigious Rte. Garnier/Dongping Lu.  The tour ends back at the starting point, the old Donghu Hotel, formerly owned by Green Gang Boss Du Yuesheng.

We hope that you will join some of us for lunch after at Grape Restaurant at 55 Xinle lu.

Tess Johnston first came to Shanghai in 1981 to work at the American Consulate General and in 1996, after over thirty years in the diplomatic service, she retired and stayed on to research, write, and lecture. She and her co-author, Shanghai photographer Deke Erh (Erh Dongqiang), have many books, including fifteen volumes on Western architecture and the expatriate experience in old China.

Tess is a native of Virginia and her academic back-ground includes a M.A. from the University of Virginia, where she subsequently taught.

Tess also serves as a consultant on matters pertaining to the Western presence in old Shanghai. She is also a valuable research resource for visiting scholars and former residents seeking to trace their Shanghai roots.

DONATION: RMB 100 for members RMB 200 for guests.

Strictly limited to a maximum number of 12 participants on a first come, first served basis – RAS members will be given priority. Membership applications and renewals will be available on the afternoon. Those unable to make the donation but wishing to attend may contact us for exemption.

RSVP: to RAS Enquiry desk enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn

N.B. Owing to ‘no shows’ at previous limited participation events there will be a charge for ‘no shows’ without 24 hours notice to our enquiry desk.