Suzhou Creek: reviving Shanghai's historic waterway

Shanghai's Suzhou Creek, once overshadowed by its larger counterpart the Huangpu River, is undergoing a renaissance.

The city has unveiled a comprehensive multi-year master plan to restore and upgrade the creek.

The initiative aims to improve water quality, revitalize heritage sites, and expand public amenities along its 66-kilometer stretch, transforming the creek into a vibrant urban corridor.

Residents and tourists now observe that the creek is much cleaner than it used to be, with clearer water and improved walkways, making it a pleasant spot for running, walking and cycling.

"Did not realize how lovely it is to have a stroll by the Suzhou Creek until I accidentally ended on its river bank," said a tourist, who called herself Poppy, from Kuala Lumpur.

"Cherry blossoms and magnolias in full bloom. Locals chilling out by the banks in all sorts of activities from dancing, chatting, exercising to fishing. Lots of heritage buildings nearby and don't be afraid to explore the alleys to get a boost on history," she added.

"The river and creek bear the profound history and culture of Shanghai," said Xue Liyong, a senior researcher of the Shanghai History Museum. "The creek alone represents over 1,000 years of the city's history."

The master plan for the creek extends westward from its downtown beginning near the Waibaidu Bridge on the Bund to connect with the Hongqiao area. The creek's banks are divided into five distinct segments:

Urban Classic Section: From the creek's mouth to the Changping Road Bridge, this segment highlights Shanghai's blend of Eastern and Western heritage, featuring historical architecture and cultural sites.

Fashion Creative Section: Extending from the Changping Road Bridge to the Caoyang Road Bridge, this area showcases the district's industrial past and vibrant creative scene.

Campus Style Section: Spanning from the Caoyang Road Bridge to the Zhenbei Road Bridge, this zone aims to integrate university campuses with urban open spaces, fostering a youthful and dynamic environment.

New Green Livable Section: Covering the stretch from the Zhenbei Road Bridge to the Outer Ring Wusong River Bridge, this segment focuses on creating green, livable spaces that promote ecological sustainability.

Ecological Innovation Section: Running from the Outer Ring Wusong River Bridge to the Jiasong Rd N. and Jiasong Rd S. bridges, this area explores the integration of ecological principles with urban development through blue-green infrastructure.

The plan also envisions the construction of 15 new cruise piers and 20 bridges, enhancing cross-river connectivity and creating public nodes that link cultural sites, green spaces, and business districts. There are currently 35 bridges over the downtown section of the creek.

Themed tour routes will trace the area's industrial heritage, celebrate local culture, and highlight green redevelopment efforts.

Suzhou Creek has a long history that helped shape early Shanghai. Originally known as the Wusong River, the creek was renamed in 1848 when foreigners navigated its waters to Suzhou. It was the scene of wartime suffering and the birthplace of China's earliest national industries.

The creek spans 125 kilometers in total. A major cleanup since 1998 and the re-linking of a 42‑kilometer stretch in 2020 have set the stage for the current master plan. Today, the waterway is so clean that at least 45 species of fish flourish there.

Landscaping designer Liu Han said the creek has always served as a window to the city's image and as an integral part of residents' lives, highlighting the creek's transformation into a vibrant public space that can drive tourism and local growth.

The urban planning authority has unveiled four thematic tour routes to showcase the city's cultural and industrial heritage.

1. Haipai (Shanghai-Style) Culture Experience Route (1km)

Theme: Explore Shanghai's iconic blend of East-West architectural and cultural heritage.

Highlights:

- Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce Historic Site (上海总商会旧址)

- Embankment Building (河滨大楼)

- Shanghai Postal Museum (上海邮政博物馆)

- Yuanmingyuan Road (圆明园路)

- Union Church (新天安堂)

2. Heroic Memory Route (3km)

Theme: Commemorate revolutionary and wartime legacies.

Highlights:

- Jiuzi Park (九子公园)

- Bridge 8 Art Space (八号桥艺术空间)

- Former Site of the First Foh Sing Flour Mill (福新面粉一厂旧址)

3. Labor Movement History Route (3km)

Theme: Trace the history of workers' struggles and industrial activism.

Highlights:

- West Shanghai Workers' Half-Day School History Exhibition Hall (沪西工人半日学校史料陈列馆)

- Shanghai Mint Museum (上海造币博物馆)

- Gu Zhenghong Memorial Hall (顾正红纪念馆)

4. Industrial Heritage Route (3km)

Theme: Discover Shanghai's industrial transformation and waterfront revitalization.

Highlights:

- Former Site of New China Textile Co (信和纱厂旧址)

- Former Site of Shanghai Beer Brewery (啤酒厂旧址)

- X Tower (创享塔)

- Suzhou Creek Industrial Heritage Museum (苏州河工业文明展示馆)