Written by: Dai Qian Photographed by: Xu Jiechen

The protection, renovation and construction of the Zhujiajiao town has always been at the cusp of attention for leaders at various levels and the general public as well. In 2003, the Zhujiaojiao Investment Development Co, Ltd., was established in a bid to boost the overall service standard of tourism in this ancient town. Over the past years, the company has conducted special study on the strategy of tourism development in Zhujiajiao. Recently, relevant experts have approved a feasibility study entitled“Implementation Guidelines for the Zhujiaojiao Tourism and Vacation Base”, which has been put into practice gradually with an aim to turn the town into the first comprehensive, multicultural, and international tourism and vacation attraction in the country as well as the landmark attraction for vacation during the World Expo. This is the first tourism development plan that was materialized in a guideline framework in southern China.

Mr. Lu Qianlin, Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Shanghai Zhujiajiao Investment Development Co., Ltd. said:“The tourism and vacation base, with its construction to be completed in the future, will be a complement to the Shanghai World Expo. By 2010, we will have built up hotel facilities that can accommodate 10,000 visitors, providing ample places and bars for leisure activities.”

Under this master plan, Zhujiajiao Investment Development Co., Ltd. has been renovating the ancient town in line with its ancient looks, and beefing up construction of infrastructure network including the installment of gas, water pipelines and telephone, cable TV and electricity lines underground, in what is seen as the largest infrastructure renovation in the history of Shanghai’s towns. Enterprises and organizations that are not in line with the overall design of the town will be relocated completely, with the new area of the town featuring rivers, green spaces, largest parks and forests as well as excellent buildings in order to cater to the development target of building a multi-function leisure resorts.

In August 2005, Zhujiajiao Investment Development Co., Ltd. invested about 10 billion Yuan to launch a total of 34 projects to protect, renovate and develop Zhujiajiao, which include the structural adjustment of the North Commercial Thoroughfare, the“Shangduli”cultural and entertainment area, the“National Grain Store”cultural brainstorm park, Shanghai Shenyao Exhibition and Manufacturing Center, and the Dadianhu Vacation Villa located above the lake water. The construction of the nine-square-kilometer Zhujiajiao tourism and vacation base is scheduled to be completed by 2010.

Among the projects to rebuild the ancient town, the most compelling one should be the solicitation of investment and the auction of some heritage buildings and civilian buildings, which are the privileged resources of this ancient town. In order to further improve the cultural image, Zhujiajiao Investment Development Co has acquired 217 old civilian buildings and 23 heritage buildings as part of the effort to upgrade those civilian buildings and businesses that were out of conformity with the overall plan, with some of the buildings being offered to attract businesses.

Ancient towns embody the historical and cultural development of the people over the past centuries, and traces of different times will be easily discovered in these ancient towns. The protection of these traces will ensure the continuity of history and the maintenance of the developmental path for human beings, which is of necessity for the development of human civilization. The World Expo 2010 Shanghai will unfold and display the philosophy of“harmonious society”and“harmonious city”, endeavoring to show the“harmony between human beings and nature”, the“harmony among different cultures of human beings”as well as the“harmony between history and future”. The World Expo will bring opportunity to Zhujiajiao, injecting vigor and vitality into the ancient town.

Pictures in this story:

1. Scenes of Zhujiajiao during sunset.

2. Snapshot of the North Thoroughfare.

3. Bridge for Freeing Captive Fish

4. Boutique shops in the North Thoroughfare.