Shanghai's Waterfronts Get Stunning Second Life

Dubbed Shanghai's mother rivers, the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek have stood witness to the city's entire journey across centuries – from its early agricultural roots to industrial rise and modern prosperity.

Back in the Tang (AD618-907) and Song (AD960-1279) dynasties, the Wusong River gave rise to the ancient Qinglong Town. Later, the Huangpu River took over its role and laid the foundational layout of present-day Shanghai.

Water systems from Taihu and Dianshan lakes and parts of Zhejiang Province fed the Huangpu River. It is the largest waterway in the area. Stretching around 113 kilometers, it winds through 10 districts of Shanghai.

Suzhou Creek runs 125 kilometers in total. Originating in suburban Qingpu District, it flows all the way to Waibaidu Bridge in downtown Huangpu District and serves as the Huangpu River's largest tributary.

Shanghai opened up to foreign trade in 1843 and soon grew into a major port city in China, kicking off its modern urban development. With the arrival of industrial civilizations from the West in the 19th century, shipyards, textile mills, power plants and waterworks sprouted along the riverbanks. The waterfront gradually became the cradle of China's modern industry. Shipping, commerce and manufacturing drove robust urban growth, and by the 1930s, Shanghai had established its status as a celebrated metropolis in the Far East.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, industrial bases and port facilities along the rivers were further developed, establishing Shanghai as China's most vital river-sea hub and manufacturing base.

Starting in the 1990s, the riverfront experienced a decline. A significant number of waterfront factories were phased out or left idle. Long-term industrial pollution also worsened water quality and the overall ecological environment.

In 1996, the Shanghai municipal government launched a comprehensive renovation program to address these issues and rejuvenate the riverfront landscape and public life.

Tangible achievements followed. Old warehouses were cleared away, and the once industrial and storage-dominated shorelines along the two waterways were transformed into inviting urban leisure landscapes.

The 45-kilometer continuous waterfront corridor along the Huangpu River was completed in 2017. In 2020, the 42km downtown section of Suzhou Creek's riverfront opened to the public, featuring uninterrupted sightseeing trails.

In 2019, Shanghai adopted the development concept of integrating "One River, One Creek" and rolled out phased plans for quality improvement and upgrading to build the two waterfronts into world-class urban landmarks.

According to the latest development plan, an additional 50km of riverside space will be completed by 2035, an expansion of nearly 50 percent against the existing network.

Today, the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek have evolved from former industrial rust belts into a vibrant lifestyle showcase belt and a flourishing development corridor. Functioning as a world-class urban public living space, the waterfronts now display the city's dynamism, creativity and profound cultural heritage.

"A Symphony Across Time, Flowing Ever Forward" – Shanghai's "One River, One Creek" themed exhibition is on show today in New York, showcasing the profound history and remarkable transformation of the city's mother rivers.

Hosted by the Shanghai Local Chronicles Office, this exhibition marks the third season of "Our Water: Flowing from Shanghai – Intercultural Dialogues Among World Cities," an initiative for Shanghai's city image promotion.

Previously, a photo exhibition themed on Suzhou Creek was held in Paris in 2024, followed by a Huangpu River photo exhibition in London in 2025. All exhibits for the three events are mainly sourced from "Shanghai Pictorial: Suzhou Creek" and "Shanghai Pictorial: Huangpu River," compiled by the Shanghai Local Chronicles Office.