On July 11, marking both the 20th anniversary of China National Maritime Day and the 620th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas, Baoshan District hosted a series of events under the annual theme “Greener Shipping, Brighter Future”. Leveraging culture as the bridge and industry as the wings, the district celebrated Maritime Day with activities such as the launch of the postage meter mark themed “The Mighty Yangtze Flows and Wusong Stands for a Century” and the symposium on the high-quality development of the marine economy. These events took place at the Shanghai International Cruise Tourism Resort.

Maritime Heritage in Every Stamp: A Multisensory Journey into Maritime Culture

Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, where the Yangtze, Huangpu, and Wusong Rivers converge, Baoshan Riverside is home to the iconic Wusongkou Lighthouse—a national geographical landmark and a symbol of Shanghai’s maritime legacy. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of China National Maritime Day and the 620th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas, Shanghai Post launched a postage meter mark themed “The Mighty Yangtze Flows and Wusong Stands for a Century”. The release drew long lines of stamp collectors eager to obtain the commemorative imprint. According to postal staff, this mark is more than just a souvenir—it serves as a cultural emblem of Baoshan Riverside. The name “Baoshan” itself dates back over 600 years to a beacon hill built for maritime safety. The famed Ming Dynasty navigator Zheng He sailed past this very site on his voyages, cementing Baoshan’s deep historical ties to China’s maritime legacy. The design of the newly issued postage meter mark integrates key landmarks such as the Wusongkou Lighthouse and the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, capturing a century of nautical memories in a space no larger than a stamp. Also unveiled at the event was a themed commemorative envelope for the Shanghai International Cruise Tourism Resort, bearing the message “If You Come, All Will Rejoice”. Visitors could either mail it as a letter or keep it as a collectible item paired with related philatelic products—making it one of the most popular highlights of the day.

To help bridge the gap between the public and maritime culture, the event featured a “Maritime History Timeline” installation that connected key moments such as Zheng He’s voyages, the evolution of modern shipping, and the development of contemporary cruise ships. Visitors could walk along the timeline, learning about the rich history of navigation as they explored the site. Inside the “Maritime World Pop-up Post Office” set up by Baoshan Post, in addition to philatelic and cultural-creative products, the most popular attraction was the voice-activated postcard service. Visitors could scan a QR code to record a short message for Maritime Day, which would then be “engraved” as audio onto a postcard—allowing the joy and atmosphere of the event to be sent along with their greetings to family and friends. At the No.11 Post Office along the Yangtze River, a hands-on “Sailor’s Knot Mini Workshop” was offered, where volunteers taught visitors how to tie practical knots such as the single and double bowline. The activity proved especially popular among parents and children, who enjoyed a firsthand experience of traditional maritime skills and wisdom.

Charting a New Course for High-Quality Development of the Marine Economy

That afternoon, the Baoshan District Marine Economy High-Quality Development Forum was held in the resort area by the Baoshan Riverside Committee and the Cruise, Yacht and Ship Branch of the China Tourism Automobile and Cruise Association. Experts and scholars from universities founded in Baoshan, including Tongji University, Shanghai Maritime University, and Shanghai Ocean University, as well as representatives from enterprises engaged in cruise ship technology, yacht manufacturing, smart waterborne equipment, and premium lure fishing gear, gathered together to conduct in-depth discussions on key topics such as marine cultural tourism, offshore engineering equipment manufacturing, modern shipping services, the water sports industry, and the development of marine scientific research, all in the context of Baoshan Riverside’s water-based application scenarios. Experts highlighted that Baoshan Riverside uniquely combines the historical legacy of Wusongkou with the modern advantages of an international cruise home port. Looking ahead, the area has the potential to further integrate marine economy initiatives with water-based activities, enriching its regional functions and shaping a dynamic waterfront cruise corridor through seamless land-water synergy.

Get Ready for Summer—Set Sail on a Hot Seasonal Journey

As the Baoshan Riverside Summer Tourism Season kicks off, the Shanghai International Cruise Tourism Resort is launching a series of exciting summer events. The first “Summer Splash Festival” at Shanghai Sea World features a “Romantic Greek Vibe + All-Ages Water Carnival” theme, offering an immersive summer feast with beer and gourmet fairs, a beach playground, city surfing, and more. The Cordis Shanghai Seaworld presents special summer promotions, including discounts at the Pilot Bar, family travel room packages, and an ocean-themed afternoon tea—adding a touch of quality to every trip. At the Changtan Observation Tower, the LeCamp Exploratorium will launch its “Mythical Beast Power-Up Program” in August, offering a fresh play experience for families with children. Meanwhile, Lighthouse Campground hosts weekly lawn concerts under the stars, complete with open-air movies and performances by young singers—creating a romantic summer night vibe by the water.

Meanwhile, Baoshan’s summer cruise season is in full swing. On July 13, the MSC Bellissima will return to the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, marking the start of its three-month home port operation—highlighted by the debut of the first-ever LEGO-themed sea cruise in mainland China. On July 24, the Adora Magic City will set sail on a 9-day, 8-night in-depth voyage to Japan and South Korea, with stops in destinations such as Jeju and Maizuru, offering passengers an immersive experience of romantic island charm, tranquil historical beauty, and the stunning scenery of northern lands. Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas continues to draw large crowds with its “This is How to Chill” brand concept, redefining the art of leisure and offering guests a luxurious and joyful getaway at sea.

This year’s Maritime Day series of events awakened collective maritime memory through cultural heritage and fostered development consensus through cross-sector dialogue—bringing maritime culture closer to everyday life and injecting fresh vitality into the marine economy. As the summer cruise boom coincides with the rising popularity of waterfront cultural and tourism activities, Baoshan is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming the “first port of call for inbound cruise tourism in China”.