Visitors feel the pulse of Putuo on parade
Print Edition
At this time of year, Putuo is always crowded with visitors and brimming over with things to see, to do and to buy. It’s the season for art and culture, tourism along Suzhou Creek, and shopping in downtown Shanghai’s biggest, grandest downtown mall.
Thousands of visitors, both locals and expats, have thronged parades, exhibitions and shopping events during celebrations of the Shanghai Shopping Festival and Shanghai Tourism Festival, running through the National Day holiday. They are all about living in the moment and enjoying the urban lifestyle. The Putuo edition of the 2013 Shanghai Citizen’s Art Festival runs through the end of the year.
An colorful exhibition of the traditional, sophisticated clothing culture of the Yi and Miao peoples of southwestern China is drawing visitors through the end of the month.
Suzhou Creek has been at the heart of events, as a series of activities were organized around the theme “Experience business, pleasure and culture along Suzhou Creek.”
The party kicked off on September 16 with parade of 21 floats at Bailian Zhonghuan Commercial Plaza.
As many as 3,000 people watched the floats from across the country.
The Macau Government Tourist Office entered a float that depicted the special region’s attractions, while Taiwanese airline EVA Air entered a float shaped like a cartoon airplane, with the theme “I See You” inviting people to go out and see the world.
Shopping gala
Since the Global Harbor — downtown Shanghai’s biggest shopping center — opened this summer, Putuo has added another shopping landmark to its map, attracting more visitors and shoppers.
Global Harbor is adjacent to Zhonghuan business district, conveniently located near Metro lines 3, 4 and 13. It has three major functions: business, tourism and culture.
Shaped roughly like an ocean liner, it has become a must-see destination.
During the festivals, Global Harbor hosts various events, including music, dance and jazz performances, as well as exhibitions related to voyages and sailing.
Despite the impact of online shopping, the sales revenue in Zhonghuan business district increased significantly, as the core companies and corporations generated a revenue of around 6 billion yuan (US$980 million) last year. In the first eight months this year, the business district reported a 13.3-percent increase in revenue year-on-year, the top 2 among the 12 city-level business districts in Shanghai, according to Shanghai Commercial Information Center.
Wujiaochang, in northeast Shanghai’s Yangpu District, ranked the top with a jump of 16.2 percent.
The Zhonghuan branch of Orient Shopping Center had a 18.6 percent increase in sales in the first half of year 2013.
Zhonghuan business district is also experimenting with the next generation shopping experience, integrating resources in media, transportation, malls, banks and logistics to create a whole package.
This is a highlight of the shopping festival in Putuo because here consumers can take advantage of all kinds of information and technology at every step of the shopping experience.
The typical shopping experience begins at home where consumers can get the latest information on bargains in nearby malls on their phones. On the way, a smartphone application will help them choose the best transport, navigate traffic if they drive, and find parking.
Once inside the malls, shoppers can get immediate information on the location of products they want through digital racks, carts and instant display systems.
One-stop shopping
Using third-party payment platforms, checkout becomes faster and more reliable. Because the logistics is also part of the program, shoppers will have all the information on delivery at any time.
This one-stop shopping experience is expected to be completed in two years. For now, it’s just at Zhonghuan business district.
The booming businesses in Zhonghuan, Changshou, Changfeng, Wuning and Zhenru subdistricts are changing the commercial image of Putuo, while each develops special features.
Suzhou Creek
The heart of tourism in Putuo is definitely Suzhou Creek. Along the banks there are many famous sights, including the Yuan Dynasty Water Gate Museum, the Shanghai Brand and Matchbox Label Museum, Mengqing Park, Shanghai Textile Museum, as well as the art hub M50 or 50 Moganshan Road.
The district aims to develop Suzhou Creek as an international tourism brand, introducing new products and hosting various celebrations.
From January through June, the tourism agencies, hotels and scenic spots have received more than 5 million Chinese and foreign visitors, generating more than 1 billion yuan in revenue.
Changfeng Ocean World is a popular destination where visitors can see three white beluga whales form Russia.
The aquarium is also one of the best and frequently features special exhibitions.
Through October 7, Changfeng Ocean World hosted a showcase of more than 300 sea horses of 13 species, brought together for the first time at the aquarium.
In addition to specimen exhibitors, there were 3D and multimedia presentations about sea horses, educational tour about everything related to sea horses and activities such as making clay sea horse sculptures.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
