Moments in July丨Shanghai Daily & JING’AN News

It's all happening in Jing'an this summer

A diverse array of events is unfolding in Jing’an District as part of the citywide “Shanghai Summer” international consumption season that runs until October.

Adding to the excitement, 10,000 vouchers for Xiqu Laodafang’s crispy pork mooncakes — the signature delicacy of this esteemed brand — will be distributed in the district’s prominent shopping areas. Here’s a glimpse at some of the highly recommended events.

Light and shadow extravaganza

Venue: Shanghai Exhibition Center

Shanghai’s first-ever International Light Festival will illuminate the city scape from September 19 to October 18. Jing’an will feature prominently in the festival with Shanghai Exhibition Center serving as the main venue for the grand opening ceremony.

Some of the district’s landmarks will be transformed into dazzling displays of light and creativity, in cluding Nanjing Road W. commercial zone, the Zhangyuan Garden, Jing’an Sculpture Park and Shanghai Suhewan MIXC World commercial complex.

Currently featured at Shanghai Exhibition Center is the captivating “Eternal Notre Dame” exhibition.

Using virtual reality, this 45-minute experience transports visitors toNotre Dame Cathedral in Paris, offering an exploration of its architecture and 850-year-old history. The exhibition will run until February 28.

‘Ignite your passion’

Venue: Jing’an Kerry Center

Jing’an Kerry Center has been adorned with sports-themed art installations to celebrate the Paris Olympics as part of the mall’s “Ignite Your Passion” summertime campaign, which will run until August 11.

Installations in the style of a tenniscourt, swimming pool, balance beam and other facilities by visual artist Andy Rementer have been erected. It is Rementer’s first solo exhibition in collaboration with a commercial complex on the Chinese mainland.

Suhe Teahouse

Venue: Shanghai Suhewan MIXC World

Nestled along Suzhou Creek, a quaint teahouse has opened its doors as a respite from the summer heat.

Suhe Teahouse, at the sunken plaza of Shanghai Suhewan MIXC World, will open through August 11.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a 5.5-meter-high waterfall cascading against lush trees and bamboo.

Surrounded by a meandering stream and wisps of curling smoke, one feels transported into a dynamic Eastern scene.

Several restaurants and bars have extended their hours. Some have bilingual menus to cater to international guests.

‘Joy Universe’

Venue: Jing’an Joy City

Jing’an Joy City, revered as a mecca for ACGN (animation, comics, games, and novels) enthusiasts, is hosting the “Joy Universe” ACGN extravaganza.

Fourteen pop-up events showcasing beloved anime and cultural IPs will take place through September.

Visitors can already check out the world of popular manga series “Jujutsu Kaisen” in its pop-up store, which will open until August 7. Spanning 350 square meters, the store recreates iconic scenes from the series and offers a selection of more than 300 limited-edition products.

The Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo has opened a pop-up store to cash in on its reputation as one of the most popular zoos in China due to its animal-friendly habitats, livestreams and unique merchandise. It will remain open until September 1.

August brings even more excitement with two major events: a pop-up store celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Gintama” and an exhibition dedicated to “Evangelion.”

Surf Water World

Venue: Shanghai Jiuguang Center

Shanghai Jiuguang Center has transformed its outdoor plaza into an exhilarating Surf Water World offering a refreshing escape for residents until September 10.

Spanning over 1,000 square meters, the aquatic playground boasts state of-the-art mobile surfing simulators, a thrilling 6-meter-high speed slide, and a large water obstacle course.

Adjacent to the surf world, the mall has introduced “Utopian Paradise,” a serene urban camping site, to provide a tranquil retreat for city dwellers.

In August, the mall will host basketball, pickleball and dance events.

‘Pocket park belt’

Changping Road in Jing’an District is a historic, tree-lined avenue with 25,000 sqm of green space. It’s adding a tree lined pathway and 10 “pocket parks” to create a nature-infused urban landscape, set to be completed by year’s end.

'Pocket park belt' offers lush retreat

amidst city's hustle and bustle

In the heart of Jing’an District lies Changping Road, a historic thoroughfare dating back to 1923. Spanning a modest 2 kilometers, this storied boulevard gracefully weaves between the tranquil waters of Suzhou Creek and the vibrant pulse of Wuning Road S.

Embraced by golden rain trees,Changping Road is renowned for its spectacular autumn foliage, when the vibrant reds of falling leaves and fiery blooms create a picturesque seasonal display.

Adding to its charm, there is an expansive 25,000 square meters of green space — more than half the size of Jing’an Park —offering a lush retreat amidst the city’s hustle and bustle.

Recently, the district’s green authority introduced a tree-lined pathway, providing a peaceful escape. It is adorned with over 200 species of plants, including maple, wintersweet, azaleas, roses and camellias, offering a vibrant display that changes with the seasons.

Now, the focus has turned to constructing 10 “pocket parks” along this green pathway, marking the inception of Shanghai’s first “pocket park belt.”

These parks, often small neighborhood green spaces or roadside gardens, aim to seamlessly integrate nature into the urban landscape while enhancing community spaces with artistic horticulture and sculptures.

The project is set to wrap up by year’s end. Swing by and check out three of the newly-built parks, which are conveniently spaced within a 400-meter walk — as an idyllic escape from the city’s summer heat.

Ximeng Garden

Address: Close to the intersection of Changping and Xikang roads

In the garden, a pavilion resembling a magnolia flower stands prominently, with its roof meticulously crafted to emulate layers of flower petals,blending harmoniously with the bamboo-like columns and verdant foliage that surround it.

The scene unfolds with poetic grace, as if the magnolia petals themselves are softly drifting among the trees.

Next to the pavilion, a graceful white bridge, undulating like waves, spans a water feature. Throughout the garden, cascading water features, ornate fountains and rocky landscapes are strategically placed to evoke a sense of natural harmony. Intermittent mists add an ethereal touch, providing a refreshing retreat for visitors.

As night descends, the garden transforms into a serene oasis bathed in the tranquil glow of pond reflections and gentle lighting, reminiscent of an idyllic paradise tucked away amidst the bustling cityscape.

Jiangjia Lane Garden

Address: Close to the intersection of Changping Rd and Shaanxi Rd N.

After exploring Ximeng Garden, a mere 200-meter stroll leads to Jiangjia Lane Garden.

Here, a striking gray red stone archway stands prominently as a reminder of the old shikumen stone gated neighborhood that once thrived here. Preserved through meticulous restoration, it captures the essence of historic Shanghai’s quaint alleyways. Across the street, in a relocation site, a sandstone-colored wall is adorned with a vibrant mural depicting scenes of everyday life in traditional Shanghai alleys. This artistic touch breathes new life into the cityscape, infusing urban spaces with cultural vibrancy and charm.

Weirui Garden

Address: Close to the intersection of Changping and Jiangning roads

Walking about 200 meters further along Changping Road, you’ll come across the inviting Weirui Garden nestled at the outer edge of MOHO Mall.

It is a lush oasis featuring a variety of vibrant flowers and tall green plants arranged in neat, square patterns. It’s a picturesque spot that delights visitors with its meticulously designed greenery. As a gentle breeze rustles through, ornaments hanging from the trees sway gently.

In the evening, the garden becomes even more enchanting. It is adorned with twinkling tree lights that create a magical atmosphere, making the garden feel like a dreamy escape.

Linfen Road Subdistrict charts

own urban revitalization path

Jing’an comprises 13 subdistricts -Jing’ansi, Caojiadu, Jiangning Road, Shimen Road No. 2, Nanjing Road W.,

Tianmu Road W., Beizhan, Baoshan Road, Zhijiang Road W., Gonghexin Road, Daning Road, Pengpu Xincun and Linfen Road, and one town – Pengpu. Each of them is working to make Jing’an a better place. We invite a local resident or worker to introduce the best of each subdistrict and town in this series.

Digital transformation

In the age of digital transformation, Linfen is at the forefront of overcoming local governance and service challenges through technology, aiming to elevate community management standards.

Addressing the diverse needs of residents across all age groups, the subdistrict ensures widespread access to digital benefits. By prioritizing critical services like healthcare and daily essentials, it narrows the digital divide for elderly residents and seamlessly integrates technology into daily life.

In efforts to enhance convenience, a range of user-friendly digital amenities have been introduced in the community.

These include the 24/7 “Digital Cabin,” digital public phone booths, smart screens for taxi bookings, and self-service portals for streamlined government transactions.

Additionally, the subdistrict has launched an extensive online public service platform powered by the “Community Cloud.” This platform integrates community activities, resource reservations, democratic consultations, and more, ensuring governance is accessible to all residents.

To bolster the effectiveness of local governance, the subdistrict harnesses data-driven insights. Using digital twin technology, it has developed precise contingency plans for emergencies such as fires and elevator incidents, ensuring swift and coordinated responses.

In enhancing service efficiency, Linfen has linked various data systems, allowing for the utilization of vast amounts of resident information across different offices and locations.

Livable community

Linfen Road Subdistrict has emerged as a leader in urban revitalization efforts. It’s characterized by residences predominantly built before the 1990s and a population where 46 percent of people are seniors.

At the forefront of this transformation stands the Lane 380 neighborhood, which was recently noted at the 22nd China International Urban Construction Expo as an exemplary model of community excellence.

Confronting challenges like aging infrastructure and limited parking, Lane 380 has initiated a series of innovative micro-renovation projects.

A groundbreaking initiative includes retrofitting decades-old multi-story buildings with elevators, a pioneering endeavor in Shanghai aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for all residents.

Furthermore, abandoned spaces such as old garbage rooms have been repurposed into thriving community hubs like the Linfen Environmental Protection Space. Here, residents are encouraged to participate in eco-friendly practices such as waste sorting to create a sustainable living environment.

Adding to the community’s convenience is a mobile service vanstationed outside the neighborhood service center. It provides everything from laundry services to medical assistance.

New public amenities like fitness squares, central gardens and scenic trails help improve physical well being, while also cultivating a strong sense of community camaraderie among residents.

Amidst these improvements, art and culture play pivotal roles in enriching the neighborhood experience.

The transformation of the neighborhood committee office into a modern artistic space reminiscent of an art gallery provides residents with a venue for leisure and social interaction.

Newly installed elevator shafts are adorned with nostalgic illustrations of vintage objects such as sewing machines, palm-leaf fans, coal ball lamps and classic bicycles, offering residents an artistic journey through everyday life.

A standout addition to the community is the “Digital Cabin,” formerly adisused garbage room, now operating as a 24-hour facility equipped with self-service machines for various needs. This includes online government services, bill payments, and access to a digital library. Additionally, initiatives like “Junior Volunteer Classes” are giving older residents a chance to learn new skills.

Cultural ambience

Linfen is embracing its rich cultural heritage with a series of events and community initiatives designed to cater to the diverse interests of its residents while fostering a distinct Linfen cultural identity.

Annual favorites like the “Linfen Half Marathon” and the “Resident Arts Festival” have become cherished traditions, blending traditional culture with contemporary performances that engage residents of all ages.

The “International Family Drama Competition” has also gained traction, starting small and growing into a showcase with 51 participating families this year. Professional workshops were organized to deepen participants’ appreciation for theatricalarts.

During this year’s Modern Drama Valley event, the subdistrict hosted10 performances tailored to local preferences. Featuring comedy, Yueju opera and Shanghai farce, they attracted enthusiastic crowds of about 700 residents.

Significantly, the integration of public art initiatives and space revitalization projects has reshaped Linfen’s social landscape. Designers have transformed communal spaces into vibrant hubs that foster creativity and civic pride, exemplifying a modern approach to urban renewal.

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