Shanghai: Shanghai’s iconic Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek are set for a new round of transformation, with the city aiming to develop their waterfronts into world-class destinations with global influence during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.
To achieve this, the municipal government has outlined main tasks including adding green and public spaces, improving transportation efficiency and service quality, and developing distinctive public facilities by integrating culture and tourism, said Zhang Yuxin, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government during a news conference held on Wednesday in Shanghai.
“The goal is to develop the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek during the 15th Five-Year Plan period into waterfronts with global influence. The plan is designed to better showcase Shanghai’s charm through higher-quality public spaces and more efficient governance,” added Zhang, who is also director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources.
By the end of 2025, the waterfronts of the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek had extended to more than 110 kilometers, while waterfront green spaces and public areas covered more than 600 hectares. “The waterfront open spaces attracted 170 million visits in 2025 and hosted more than 800 large-scale themed events. They have already become an important window into Shanghai’s charm,” Zhang said.
A 360-degree spherical venue in Xuhui district’s West Bund is scheduled to begin construction this year, according to Deng Dawei, deputy head of Xuhui district.
With an investment of 1.2 billion yuan ($178.56 million), the venue will combine culture, tourism, exhibitions and entertainment, according to official information.
Deng said Xuhui aims to host more than 1,000 events annually by 2030, double the 2025 figure, while its riverside is expected to attract 30 million visits by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
