Rivers are the cradle of cities and the soul of urban development. In the eyes of people in Baoshan, Wenzaobang River, stretching from the east to the west, is their mother river.

Starting from Wusong River in the west and flowing into Huangpu River in the east, Wenzaobang River is 36.1 kilometers in length and 15.6 kilometers of the river is in Baoshan where more than two million people live.

In ancient times, Wenzaobang River was clean and water plants flourished. Water plants are commonly known as "Wen plants", hence the river is called Wenzaobang River. It is not only the mother river, but also has witnessed the historical development and social reform in modern Baoshan.

A hundred years ago, Wusong area was opened as a commercial port. A series of modern industries were settled on the banks of Wenzaobang River. The industrial base centered on machinery and textile industry began to take shape. In the revolutionary war times, Communist Party of China united and led masses of workers to put up revolutionary fights, leaving profound and living fight history for future generations.

 Wooden Bridge over Wenzaobang River in 1898

After the founding of People's Republic of China, people in Baoshan strived to innovate and pursued excellence in urban development, realizing rapid changes in Baoshan. In 1956, Wusong Industrial Zone was initially developed. Many metallurgic and chemical enterprises were established on the banks of Wenzaobang River. The famous Zhangmiao Street where the first Workers’ Village in Shanghai located was built at that time. But industrial development in the areas along the river also put pressure on the environment. In 1998, a comprehensive environment improvement project was initiated in Wusong Industrial Zone. Many highly polluting enterprises were closed. Such wrist-cutting transformation made Wenzaobang River obsolete and declined.

Wenzaobang Bridge Opened to Traffic in 1953, the Earliest Long-Span Reinforced Concrete Bridge in the Suburb

In 2020, a new chapter for transformation of Baoshan was opened. As a main river flowing through the east and west of Baoshan, Wenzaobang River connects innovation clusters such as Nanda area and Wusong area in implementing the scientific innovation strategy.

The old plants, factories, and storage yards are now turned into charmful hi-tech parks. The development plan of North Shanghai, Scientific Innovation Bay, and Four-Quadrant are ready to be launched. The mother river is promoting the scientific and technological innovation in Baoshan. Guided by the concept of “people’s livelihood and development”, landscape along the Wenzaobang River is being improved, creating clean water and green riverbanks for people.

Today when we are walking on the banks of the river, we are surprised by the significant change from a rusty industrial belt to a prospecting scientific innovation belt.

Nature shapes rivers and rivers nurture cities. Throughout the rise and development of large cities in the world, cities become more beautiful and dynamic and have opportunities of development due to rivers. In the transformation of Baoshan, the mother river brings infinite possibilities to the future of Baoshan.