Officially approved by the State Council in October 2015, the original Zhabei District and Jing'an District were merged into today’s new Jing’an District. As of the end of 2020, with a total area of 37 square kilometers and a permanent population of 1.07 million, Jing'an District administers 13 sub-districts, one town and 268 neighborhood (village) committees. Named after the ancient Jing’an Temple, Jing’an District, located in downtown Shanghai, neighbors other six districts. Boasting a time-honored history, picturesque environment, prosperous business, innovation vitality and convenient information availability and transportation facilities, Jing’an District is an important window in the exchanges between Shanghai and the outside world.
1.Development Goals
Driven by the long-range objectives through the year 2035, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Jing’an District will accelerate the construction in terms of world-class services, innovation and entrepreneurship, pioneering modern governance and convenient life facilitates, becoming an international cultural metropolis. By 2025, the international and excellent Jing’an will be equipped with improved urbanization level and core competitiveness, more integrated service functions, more abundant comprehensive strength, more efficient urban management, more cultural charm, and higher life quality. This outstanding global district will be more attractive for its higher service levels, higher quality development, more efficient management, more charming cultures, higher quality life and more diverse participation.
More integrated service functions. The “Global Service Provider Program” thoroughly carried out will speed up the agglomeration of high-end resources, and the intensive integration of Jing’an’s economy into the global service network. Specifically, additional 60 headquarters of multinational companies, regional or others, have been established in Jing’an. More and more global service providers located in Jing’an of Shanghai will serve the whole China and even the whole world, which will make Jing’an more open with Jing’an characteristics. Its core competitiveness, attraction in investment, overflow effect and functional capacity will be significantly enhanced. Then there have been 80 global service providers in Jing’an, making Shanghai an important node connecting the domestic and international cycles.
Stronger overall strength. The revenue in the general public budgets nationwide is more than any other urban districts, with an average annual growth rate by 3-5%. The growth of Jing’an’s GDP keeps pace with the whole city’s. Innovation system has been increasingly upgrading, and the industrial structure has been optimizing for breakthroughs, coupled with higher-level industrial foundation and higher modernization level of industry chain. Moreover, Jing’an international innovation corridor construction has achieved significant results. Those new industries, new forms and new patterns, in line with Shanghai’s objectives and positions for “five centers” (i.e., global center of economy, trade, finance, shipping and innovation) and “four functions” (of global resource allocation, science and technology innovation, leadership in high-end industries, and a hub for opening up), are growing stronger. The framework of digital Jing’an has been formed. Some emerging industries related to big data, life, health care and the like will generate economies of scale. In brief, an integrated system of high-end modern service industries will take shape soon, featuring quality, efficiency, sound operation and better sustainability.
More efficient urban governance. “Integrated Online Platform” and “Integrated Online Governance” in sound operation allow scientific, meticulous and intelligent management, and accordingly enable fast modernization and optimized space layout. The ecological environment has been improving, the energy consumption for every unit of GDP and the decline rate of CO2 emissions have met the municipal objectives, city appearance and environmental sanitation has been maintaining fine. All of these decide the public satisfaction of Jing’an ranks top in Shanghai. Moreover, Jing’an has set a good example in improving safety and resilience, strengthening and innovating social governance, stimulating the vitality of grassroots and communities. In a word, the whole district is of the people, by the people and for the people, making Jing’an one of the most orderly, safe and cleanest districts in Shanghai.
More diverse cultures. The soft power and international influence of urban cultures have been rising. Specifically, red culture, Shanghai regional culture, and Jiangnan culture resources have been developed and protected, the public cultural services and cultural and sports facilities have been improving intensively and extensively, the cultural creative industry has been growing, more and more international multicultural cooperation has been initiated, and culture brands with Jing’an characteristics have been promoted. What’s more, the social etiquette and civility has been rising.
Upgraded life hardware and software. Jing’an becomes more charming and attractive, endowed with tenderness, because of the upgraded social security system, the digitalized, diversified, quality and personalized public services, the balanced and integrated social service system for the elderly. Additionally, the renovation of housing of grade II or inferior has been completed. The policies and measures to help students’ comprehensive growth with personality have been launched, and the life expectancy is higher than the average level of Shanghai.
2.Administrative Division
(1)Briefing
The jurisdiction of the People’s Government of Jing’an District includes 13 sub-districts and one town, namely Jing’an Temple Sub-district, Caojiadu Sub-district, Jiangning Road Sub-district, Shimen Road Sub-district, West Nanjing Road Sub-district, West Tianmu Road Sub-district, Beizhan Sub-district, Baoshan Road Sub-district, West Zhijiang Road Sub-district, Gonghexin Road Sub-district, Daning Road Sub-district, Pengpu Xincun Sub-district, Linfen Road Sub-district, and Pengpu Town. There are 268 committees, including 267 neighborhood ones and one village committee (as of the end of 2020).
(2) About the Sub-districts
Jing’an Temple Sub-district
Located in southwest of Jing’an District, it covers a total area of 1.57 square kilometers from Fumin Road and Changde Road in the east, Zhenning Road in the west, Changle Road in the south, Wanhangdu Road and Xinzha Road in the north. The Sub-district is famous for numerous skyscrapers, well-connected road network and gathering of talents. In addition, there are rich cultural resources such as the ancient Jing’an Temple, and the Paramount that is honored as “the first nightclub and dance hall in Far East”. Cai Yuanpei, Eileen Chang, Zhou Xinfang and many others once lived here. There are “a large number of intellectuals, celebrities, overseas Chinese, and the well-educated class”. Social facilities are complete, including numerous cultural, medical and educational institutions as Huashan Hospital, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai Opera House, Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shanghai Shixi Junior Middle School. The Sub-district has won many honors such as National Civilized Unit, National Outstanding Community for Volunteers’ Services, National Harmonious Demonstration Community, National Model Sub-district in Community Education, National Culturally Advanced Community, National Urban Sports Advanced Community, National Overseas Chinese Affair Demonstration Unit, Municipal Civilized Community, Municipal Model Sub-district of Patriotism and Supporting the PLA, and Municipal Model Collective in Promoting National Unity and Progress. At present, it administers 11 city-level civilized communities, and nine district-level ones.
Caojiadu Sub-district
It covers a total of 1.5 square kilometers from Jiaozhou Road in the east, Changning Road and Jiangsu Road in the west, West Wuding Road and Xinzha Road in the south, and Changshou Road and Anyuan Road in the north. Located at the intersection of the three districts such as Changning, Putuo and Jing’an, Caojiadu is the strategic passage in western Shanghai. In particular, South Wuning Road is a crucial way from other provinces and the central area of Shanghai to downtown area. Owing to the development of community construction and social undertakings, the environment and residents’ civilization have been obviously improved. As one key residence in the central urban area, it boasts many high-end communities, including smart business buildings represented by Hi-tech Plaza and Yueda 889 Plaza. The Sub-district has won various state-level honors such as National Model Sub-district in Community Education, National All-people Reading Advanced Unit, National Mass Sports Advanced Unit, National Demonstration Community in Learning-oriented Family Construction, and municipal honors such as Municipal Civilized Community, Shanghai Learning-oriented Community, Shanghai Demonstration Sub-district in Food Safety, Municipal Demonstration Community in Safety, Shanghai Demonstration Sub-district in Healthy Community Construction, Advanced Sub-district in Shanghai Undertakings for the Aged Innovation, and Municipal Model Sub-district in Urban Household Waste Sorting.
Jiangning Road Sub-district
Located in middle Jing’an District, it covers a total area of 1.84 square kilometers from Taixing Road and West Suzhou Road in the east, Jiaozhou Road and Changde Road in the west, West Beijing Road and Xinzha Road in the south and Anyuan Road in the north. Here is the site of Jing’an District People’s Government. There are one historical and cultural heritage protected at municipal level and five monuments under protection of Jing’an District, such as Site of General Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Ohel Rachel Synagogue, as well as 31 sites under protection of Jing’an District including Nie Er’s Former Residence.
Boasting abundant social undertaking resources, Jiangning Road Sub-district gathers Shanghai Jing’an Education College Affiliated School, Qiyi High School Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Oculopathy Prevention Center, Jing’an District Central Hospital, Jing’an Library, and Jing’an Sports Center. Connected with Putuo District, Anyuan Road neighbors Jade Buddha Temple, so it is one vital passage of Buddhism travel.
Jiangning Road Sub-district has been awarded the titles of National Demonstration Community in Comprehensive Disaster Reduction, National Model Sub-district in Community Education, Municipal Civilized Community, Shanghai Advanced Grassroots Party Organization, Shanghai Demonstration Community in Food Safety, Municipal Demonstration Community in Safety, and Municipal Model Sub-district in Urban Household Waste Sorting. In addition, in 2016, Jiangning Road Sub-district was designated Grassroots Legislation Contact Site by the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, making it the only sub-district representative among the first ten legislative contact sites.
Shimen Road Sub-district
Shimen Road Sub-district stretches from North Chengdu Road in the east to Jiangning Road, Wuding Road and Taixing Road in the west, and from the bustling West Nanjing Road in the south to South Suzhou Road in the north, covering an area of 1.09 square meters. There are 11 residential areas accommodating about 13,000 permanent residents, with a registered population of around 35,000. The communities are situated in the Suhe Bay region, in the south of which is the High-end Business Agglomeration Belt on Both Sides of West Nanjing Road and in the north of which is the Cultural, Leisure and Business Startup Agglomeration Belt on Both Sides of Suzhou River.
The Sub-district boasts convenient transportation, business prosperity, and abundant cultural resources. It is the seat where some municipal departments, scenic spots, and large-scale groups lie, including Shanghai Municipal Political Consultative Conference, Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Juvenile Children Library, Majestic Theatre, Shanghai Pingtan Troupe, Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Design Group, Shanghai Oriental Notary Public Office, and Guotai Jun’an Securities. There are also foreign affairs agencies such as the Visa Office of the US Consulate General in Shanghai as well as general consulates of Britain, Brazil and Nepal in Shanghai. The famous composer Tu Bahai, sociologist Deng Weizhi, children’s literature translator Ren Rongrong, pianist Wang Wei, and literary artist Luo Wenlian have lived in Shimen Road Community.
As a part of the old areas of Shanghai, the Community gathers a number of revolutionary sites and outstanding historical architectures, including the famous Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of China Labor Association Secretariat, Temporary Office of Peng Pai Central Military Commission, Former Site of the CPC Songpu Special Committee Office, Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of Yuanli Pawn Shop, Sainte-Therese Basilica, and the former Jewish Club. With more efforts put into the reconstruction of the old areas, many public cultural and service facilities such as Jing’an Statue Park, Butterfly Bay Greenland, and Jing’an Juvenile Children Library have been built in recent years to render more living and entertainment sites for citizens.
Through conscientious implementation of the Party’s principles and policies as well as working requirements at the city and district levels, the Shimen Road Sub-district has gained remarkable results in recent years. It won national and municipal honors such as the Model Collective in Promoting National Unity and Progress, the National Demonstration Community of Ideological Culture Promotion, and the National Four-100 Best Volunteer Service Community, the National Pilot Demonstration Sub-district of Smart Health Care for the Elderly, the National Harmonious Demonstration Community, the National Top 100 Demonstration Township (Sub-district) Trade Unions, the National March 8th Red-Banner Collectives, National Model Family for the Handicapped, as well as Municipal Civilized Community, Shanghai Safe Community, Shanghai Judicial Administrative Outstanding Collective, Shanghai May 1st Labor Award, Shanghai Demonstration Pilot for Non-public Enterprise Trade Union Reform, Shanghai Outstanding Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Shanghai Demonstration Smart Community, and Municipal Excellent Healthy Community, Municipal Advanced Collective of Community Public Security Management, Municipal Model Sub-district in Urban Household Waste Sorting, Shanghai Pilot Healthy Town (Sub-district), Outstanding Organization in Shanghai Overseas Chinese Federation and other national and municipal honors.
West Nanjing Road Sub-district
Located in southern Jing’an District, the downtown Shanghai, West Nanjing Road Sub-district is from South Shaanxi Road and North Chengdu Road in the east to Fumin Road and Changde Road in the west, from Changle Road and Yan’an Middle Road in the south to West Beijing Road and West Nanjing Road in the north. The Sub-district has several features. First, there are numerous business buildings, including 45 business buildings such as Hang Lung Plaza, CITIC Pacific, Kerry Center and HKRI Taikoo Hui, 39 of which are key tax payer of Jing’an District. There are also large-scale SOEs and famous foreign enterprises such as Shanghai United Media Group, Shanghai Media Group, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, Shanghai International Group, KPMG, Daikin China, Wyeth and Pfizer. Second, there are many protected historical buildings in European classical, Spanish and Chinese traditional styles, such as Moller Villa, Jing’an Villa, Zhang Garden and Siming Estate, including two historical and cultural heritages protected at national level, 11 historical and cultural heritages protected at the municipal level, and 57 Jing’an District heritage architectures. Third, there are many celebrities, including 20+ famous persons such as composer Lv Qiming and performing artist Cao Lei, who have lived here. Quite a few well-known cultural organizations such as Shanghai Writers’ Association have also established offices here.
West Tianmu Road Sub-district
It is situated in central south Jing’an District, and covers a total area of 1.94 square kilometers, with Shanghai Railway Station lying in and Suzhou River running through. Along the railway, the Sub-district is divided into two parts. In the Sub-district, there are two city-level transportation hubs such as Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Long-distance Bus Terminal, and five subways. There are 12 residential areas, 28 communities, 54 commercial buildings including 19 above designated scale, one industrial park, six large professional markets of different types and two large shopping malls. West Tianmu Road Sub-district has been honored as Municipal Civilized Community, with five city-level civilized communities and eight district-level ones. As “Cultural, Leisure and Business Startup Agglomeration Belt on Both Sides of Suzhou River”, it has been improving in terms of livability, vitality, peace, harmony and wisdom, to be more beautiful and considerate, with high quality and happiness index.
Beizhan Sub-district
Located in “Cultural, Leisure and Business Startup Agglomeration Belt on Both Sides of Suzhou River” belonging to the development strategy of “One Axis and Three Belts”, it covers 1.99 square kilometers (including water area) from North Henan Road and Luofu Road in the east, North-south Elevated Road and West Tianmu Road Sub-district in the west, Suzhou River in the south, and neighboring Zhijiang West Sub-district and Baoshan Road Sub-district in the north along the railway. Located in the core area of Suhe Bay, it boasts convenient transportation. In particular, Shanghai Joy City and Qipu Road Clothing Commercial Block are the famous landmarks of Shanghai. Owing to numerous historical buildings such as Site of Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, Former Residence of Wu Changshuo, Mixed Court, Sihang Warehouse Memorial and Organ of CPC after the 3rd Party Congress, Beizhan Sub-district was honored as Riverside Scene on the Qingming Festival of Shanghai in the 1920s or 1930s. The newly-built Shanghai Sihang Warehouse Battle Memorial and Jinyuan Square become the new patriotism education bases. At present, the Sub-district administers six city-level civilized communities, and six district-level ones.
Baoshan Road Sub-district
In the middle of Jing’an District and covering an area of 1.62 square kilometers, Baoshan Road Sub-district borders Hongkou District through East Baoxing Road in the east, North Tibet Road in the west, Subway Line 3 in the south and North Zhongshan Road in the north. It has 19 neighborhood committees with a registered population of 78,890. There are 71 communities, including eight municipal civilized ones and nine district-level ones. In the Sub-district there are 28 small and medium-sized roads and two stations of Subway Line 8. It enjoys abundant medical and education service resources, including 14 kindergartens and primary and middle schools as well as four medical institutions such as Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Shanghai Glasses Museum which is the only community-sponsored themed museum of Shanghai and Shanghai popular science education base. The Sub-district has long been hailed as the Red Treasure due to its 24 revolutionary sites such as Huzhou Club, Commercial Press, and Sanzengli. Located in the internal ring, the Sub-district neighbors Suzhou River in the south and Daning in the north. It is also at the critical intersection of the Cultural, Leisure and Business Startup Agglomeration Belt on Both Sides of Suzhou River and the Industry-City Integration and Development Cluster Belt on Both Sides of Middle Ring Road. Qingyun Road is glasses business themed. In recent years, quite a few high-end, harmonious and livable new-type commercial residences have been built, including Lvzhou Yabinli Garden, Forte Metropolis International, and Xinhu International, high-end, livable and harmonious.
West Zhijiang Road Sub-district
Located in central southern Jing’an District, it covers a total area of 1.64 square kilometers from North Tibet Road that neighbors Baoshan Road Sub-district in the east, the railway in the south, Datong Road and Pushan Road that neighbor West Tianmu Road Sub-district in the west, and North Zhongshan Road that neighbors Gonghexin Road Sub-district in the north. It has 18 residential areas under its jurisdiction. By the end of 2020, it had a registered population of 63,845 in 24,095 households and an actual population of 85,707 in 37,307 households. It was originally called Fenghuo Sub-district before 1987. In November 1996, the original Qiujiang Road Sub-district and West Zhijiang Road Sub-district were merged into the new West Zhijiang Road Sub-district. It is an old area that is experiencing changes and development. Over many years’ development of commercial facilities, some iconic commercial plazas represented by Prince Department on Zhonghuaxin Road (original Xinxin Department) and May Flower Life Plaza on West Zhijiang Road have been formed. In addition, the “one-stop experience” mode of community life drives the overall commercial atmosphere of the whole sub-district. The Sub-district boasts abundant educational and cultural resources, including Jing’an Education College, Shibei Senior High School Affiliated to Shanghai University, Shanghai Yangbo Middle School, Shibei Junior High School, etc., and cultural and sports facilities such as Children’s Palace, West Zhijiang Road Sub-district Culture Center, as well as Integrated Service Center, Service Center for the Elderly, Environment Protection Science Center. The Sub-district was honored as one of the first 15 pilot sub-districts of “15-minute living circle” in 2019, and National Model Sub-district of Open and Democratic Management of Factory Affairs, Municipal Civilized Community, and Shanghai Judicial Administrative Outstanding Collective in 2020.
Gonghexin Road Sub-district
It covers a total area of 2.72 square kilometers from North Zhongshan Road in the south, Yanchang Road and Laohutai Road in the north, West Baoxing Road and North Baoxing Road that neighbors Hongkou District in the east, and Hutai Road that neighbors Putuo District in the west. Along Gonghexin Road from north to south, the Sub-district is divided into western and eastern parts. It boasts abundant “tea” resources that integrate culture and business, including Zhabei Park and Song Garden Tea House with traditional tea culture, and Daning International Tea Town and Tea Forte International Tea Culture Square with the fashion color. The influential tea culture brand has formed in the Sub-district. The business environment has been improving under the Party’s leadership, by integrating resources and strength, with companies’ satisfaction as a key standard to measure business environment construction. The stronger sense and target integrated content of service, the expanded service scope and higher efficiency jointly aim to serve enterprises better with optimized, convenient and quality environment. The Sub-district has been honored as National Demonstration Sub-district in Smart Healthy Facilities for the Elderly, National Demonstration Community in Comprehensive Disaster Reduction, Municipal Civilized Community, Municipal Demonstration Community in Safety, Municipal Demonstration Community in Creditable Measurement, Municipal Model Sub-district of Patriotism and Supporting the PLA, Municipal Excellent Volunteer Collective in Food Safety, and Shanghai Folk Cultural Art Hometown.
Daning Road Sub-district
Founded in February 1985 and located in the middle and north of Jing’an District, Daning Road Sub-district covers an area of 6.24 square kilometers and has 100,607 permanent residents (as of December 2020). The Sub-district features three highlights. First, it occupies the prominent position at both sides of the Middle Ring Road. Under the strategic layout of One Axis and Three Belts, the Sub-district lies in the Industry-City Integration and Development Cluster Belt on Both Sides of Middle Ring Road, with two wings of International Film and Television Park Circum-SHU and Shibei Hi-tech Park. There is a distinctive layout of double drivers: the eastern driver of the Cultural Creativity Industrial Agglomeration Area centered by Shanghai University which has taken shape, the e-sports industry cluster area with Lingshi Road as the core is getting mature, and the western driver of the prosperous Municipal Commercial Sub-center represented by Daning International Plaza and Jiuguang Department Store. Second, there are abundant resources for co-building. With a considerable number of hospitals, commercial streets, military camps, industrial parks, and communities, the Sub-district is well established with integrated functions for integration, co-building, co-creation and sharing. Regional entities work together in building, creation, governance, and defense. Under the leadership of the Party building, the Sub-district is showing a good situation featuring complete cultural and sports facilities, beautiful urban environment, developed commercial business, vigorous innovation momentum, and convenient information and traffic. Third, there is demand diversity among residents. Along Guangzhong Road, in the southern part lie old communities, while the northern part is a group of new commercial residences, dominated by population inflows. Volunteer services and the care for the elderly are of convenience and benefit for citizens… As the society develops, the demand for neighborhood services has stepped to be diverse in depth. The Sub-district, a community where residents live, has been exploring effective measures to serve the people and has formed multi-layered service brands to render residents with a full range of services and build into an international model area featuring superior living and working conditions.
Pengpu Xincun Sub-district
Located in northwestern Jing’an District, it covers a total area of 3.81 square kilometers from Lingnan Road in the east, Dongjiaojing River in the west, Changzhong Road and Zoumatang River in the south, and Gongkang Road and high-tension cable corridor in the north. It borders Baoshan District on the north and west. Named after “Pengyuepu River”, Mother River of Pengpu, the Sub-district is a wage earner-based super-large residential zone built in the 1950s, developed during 1970s and 1980s, and formed in the 1990s. There are 33 residential areas and 67 communities, including 21 municipal civilized communities and 23 district-level ones. There are also Community Service Center, Community Public Security Center, City Operation & Overall Management Center, Community Affairs Service Center, Community Culture Center, Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center, and Volunteer Service Center. In addition, there are 29 educational institutions, eight geracomiums, two hospitals, one community health service center, 12 health service sub-centers, five vegetable markets and community canteens.
Linfen Road Sub-district
Founded in 1988, Linfen Road Sub-district lies at the junction of Jing’an, Hongkou and Baoshan districts in Shanghai, covering an area of 2.12 square kilometers with a permanent population of 80,000. It is a typical immigrant residential area in Shanghai.
Linfen Road Sub-district has always remained true to its original aspiration and kept its mission firmly in mind. Its struggling stance mirrors the process that the CPC has relied on, mobilized, organized, served and led the mass to create a better life in sub-district communities. Over the past thirty years, under the CPC leadership, the Sub-district has become a banner for the Party building in sub-district communities, a model of the grassroots governance in Shanghai, and a sample of the good life of urban residents. Several state leaders of China visited the Sub-district. It won nearly 50 national honors such as the National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization issued by the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the National Ideological and Political Work Advanced Model and the National Model Collective of Civil Servants Satisfying the People issued by the Publicity Department of the CPC.
Pengpu Town
Located in northern Jing’an District, it covers a total of 7.88 square kilometers from Wanrong Road in the east, Laohutai Road in the south, Hutai Road in the west and Changzhong Road in the north. In history, Pengpu Town created four “first achievements”, such as the first batch of “towns with the GDP of 100 million Yuan” in China, the first scheduled farmer retirement system in Shanghai, the first town completing “rural residents’ becoming urban residents” and one of the first batch of “Chinese Folk Art Hometown”, making breakthroughs. Boasting profound folk culture and photography resources, Pengpu Town has been named by the Ministry of Culture as “Chinese Folk Cultural Art Hometown (Photography)” for five consecutive years. It has gathered abundant resources such as Daning Lingshi Park that is the largest in western Shanghai, the ancient Baohua Temple, and 19 educational institutions such as Shanghai Xinzhong Senior High School. Recently, the town has scored coordinated economic and social development, and the township economy is vibrant. For instance, national industrial parks have been agglomerated, such as Shanghai Multi-media Valley. It has won many honors such as Municipal Civilized Community, Municipal Demonstration Community in Safety, Shanghai Learning-oriented Community, Shanghai Double Support Model Town, etc. At present, it administers 21 city-level civilized communities, and 36 district-level ones.
(3)History of Jing’an District
Jing’an District takes its name after the ancient Jing’an Temple. The area to the north of Wusong River (old course) was administered by Kunshan County before the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Jiading in the Southern Song Dynasty (1217), and later successively administered by Jiading County and Baoshan County. The area to the south of Wusong River (old course) was administered by Huating County from the 1st year to the 28th year (1291) of the Yuan Dynasty, and later administered by Shanghai County in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Qiujiang River was the boundary of Shanghai County and Baoshan County, but it was filled to build roads in the Republic of China. In the 2nd year of the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1863), the central and southern areas were established as American concession, but it was later annexed into the Shanghai International Settlement. In the 25th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1899), most of its territory was annexed as the western part of Shanghai International Settlement. To hinder concession expansion, merchants in Zhabei built Zhabei Engineering Bureau and established commercial port in the 26th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1900). In 1914, the area on the south of Changbang Road (Middle Yan’an Road) and Xujiahui Road (Huashan Road) was annexed in French concession. Thus, the southern part was divided into French concession and Shanghai International Settlement, and the northern part was administered by Chinese government. In July 1927, Shanghai Special Municipal Government took over 17 cities and towns, and all the cities and towns were called districts in July 1928, and Zhabei City was renamed as Zhabei District. In the 1930s, Japanese invaders waged two battles against Shanghai, which nearly destroyed Zhabei District, and reduced it to the well-known shanty area. After Shanghai was occupied in 1937, Japanese puppet regime changed Zhabei District into Zhabei Government Department, and Hubei District Government Office. Shanghai International Settlement became the “lonely island” before the start of the Pacific War. After the victory of Anti-Japanese War in 1945, the district was governed by No. 10 District, No. 11 District, No. 12 District, No. 14 District, No. 15 District and part of No. 22 District and No. 24 District. In 1947, No. 14 District and No. 15 District were renamed as Zhabei District and Beizhan District respectively. On May 30, 1949, the Municipal Military Control Commission took over Jing’an District, and once changed it into Jing’an Temple District. On June 28, 1950, it was changed into the original name Jing’an District. And then before 1956, the territory was governed by Jing’an, Xincheng, Jiangning, Zhabei and Beizhan districts successively. During the administrative re-division of Shanghai in 1956, Jing’an District was canceled. Divided by Fumin Road and Changde Road, the eastern part was incorporated into Xincheng District, and the western part was merged into Changning District, and Zhabei District and Beizhan District were merged into Zhabei District. During the administrative re-division in January 1960, Xincheng District and Jiangning District were canceled, and the area to the west of North Chengdu Road, the whole Jiangning District and the area to the east of Zhenning Road in Changning District were emerged into Jing’an District. In November 2015, Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and People’s Government announced the “Approval of the State Council on Agreeing the Adjustment of Administrative Division of Shanghai”, i.e. the original Zhabei District and Jing’an District were merged into the new Jing’an District. In March 2016, the work of emerging the original Jing’an District and Zhabei District was completed, and today’s Jing’an District was formally established.
In active response to Shanghai’s call for building the Four Brands, Jing’an District, based on One Axis and Three Belts, has made good use of its characteristics and reality as the Most International and Most Local district in Shanghai, and embraced a new round of urban development period featuring quality development and life. In 2020, the gross district product was 232.308 billion Yuan, the general public budget revenue was 25.014 billion Yuan. Jing’an District boasts a complete service economy industrial chain, obvious gradient development between the north and the south, abundant business types, and multiple industries. The five major industries, namely commercial and trade service industry, financial service industry, professional service industry, cultural creative industry and information service industry, contributed to over 70% of the total tax revenue in Jing’an. Following the founding of the new Jing’an District, quality buildings have been built such as HKRI Taikoo Hui, Fengshengli, COFCO Joy City, Daning Music Plaza, Capital Square, Daning Business Center, Imix Park, and Bohua Plaza. Building economy, headquarters economy, and export-oriented economy are still major characteristics and highlights in economic development of Jing’an District.
(4)Civilized Urban Area
Over the years, Jing’an District has insisted on integrating the building of a civilized urban area as a critical instrument into its economic development, social management, and people’s livelihood services, and has penetrated the concept of Building for the People throughout the building of a civilized urban area. By escalating the civilization of Shanghai and the quality of citizens, it aims to build a harmonious and livable civilized district, embracing firm belief, advocating ethics and doing good turns with rich culture and finally for citizens’ satisfaction, in which way solid ideological guarantee, strong spiritual strength, rich moral nourishment and good cultural conditions can be furnished for Jing’an to build into a New Landmark in Downtown Shanghai and a New Highlight of Urban Development. Through unremitted efforts, in January 2009, Jing’an District was titled the National Civilized Urban Area, and in 2020, it passed the review, and ranked top 33 which were officially released.
(5)Jing’an Marks
Jing’an has witnessed the Chinese revolutionary struggle in its full swing. Many important activities of the CPC started here. The Party leaders and revolutionary martyrs of older generation, such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun, have worked, lived and fought here, leaving behind them a trail of precious red marks. There are 106 significant revolutionary sites in the district, one national and seven municipal patriotism education bases. They are the witnesses of the red history of Jing’an, the promoters of its red culture, and the inheritors of its red spirit. In recent years, Jing’an has given full play to the role of these red venues as bases for education on patriotism and Party history, allowing the residents a clear view of the charm of a red Jing’an.
Museum of Site of the Second National Congress of the CPC
It was completed and officially opened to the public in 2002. In 2009, it was honored the “National Patriotism Education Demonstration Base” by the Publicity Department of the CPC. In 2013, it was included by the State Council into the seventh batch of historical and cultural heritages protected at national level. The museum consists of the Preface Hall, Exhibition Hall of the Second CPC National Congress, History of the Constitutions of the CPC, Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of the Second CPC National Congress, Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of Civilians’ Girl School and the Temporary Exhibition Hall. This Shikumen-style museum with regional and cultural characteristics vividly reproduces the tumultuous years the CPC experienced in early years.
Shanghai Sihang Warehouse Battle Memorial
Located in the site of the original Sihang Warehouse (Sihang Trust Department Shanghai Branch Warehouse), it is a rare base of patriotism education built upon a war ruins in China and the only one in Shanghai. To commemorate the “Sihang Warehouse Defense War”, it reproduces the moving deeds of the “Eight Hundred Warriors” fighting bravely against foreign insults, inspiring patriotism. Outside the museum, the restored Xishan Wall (also known as the Bullet Hole Wall) echoes the “Three Highlights” and “Seven Foci” on the permanent display, accentuating the three features “Site, Battle and Memorial”. In addition to the conventional forms such as display board and objects, other means such as battle scene, sand table model, micro view box, painting statue, interactive game and film and television provide the audience with a brand-new experience and feeling.
Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of Secretariat of China Labor Association
Established on August 11, 1921, it is the cradle of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the first head office of CPC to openly lead the national labor movement. As one of the “red sources” in Shanghai, it was listed as a historical and cultural heritage protected at municipal level in May 1959. In September 1992, the site was restored and a public exhibition hall was built. On May 31, 2005, it was reopened after a second renovation. In January 2010, it was named “Shanghai Base of Patriotism Education” by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.
The exhibition consists of five parts, namely, Preface Hall, Glorious Starting Point, Hard-fought Years, Ups and Downs of Labor Movements, and Realizing the Chinese Dream of the Great Rejuvenation. It brings together rich historical data, precious images, dynamic oil paintings, comic strips and other artistic creations. In the restored scenes, modern virtual technology is applied to vividly present how the Secretariat of the China Labor Association, under the leadership of the CPC, developed from Shanghai to the whole country, promoting Marxism-Leninism, helping workers organize industrial unions, leading and supporting the labor movement.
Memorial of Organ of the CPC after the 3rd National Congress
In June 1923, the 3rd CPC National Congress was held in Guangzhou. In September, the organ was relocated to Sanzengli near the then Shanghai Railway Station. Members including Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen and Luo Zhanglong lived here. Sanzengli was destroyed during the Japanese invasion. In January 2007, the memorial was opened to the public at No. 118, North Zhejiang Road.
With the theme “Glorious and Eternal Party History”, the central exhibition area displays the life and work of the members in Sanzengli, showing the strong beliefs, discipline and struggle of the older generation of revolutionaries. The supporting area celebrates the red history by exhibiting historical data on a series of revolutionary struggles led by the CPC.
Exhibition Hall of the Former Residence of Cai Yuanpei in Shanghai
A three-story English garden house, it was home to Cai Yuanpei in 1937 and also his last residence in Shanghai. It is located at No. 175 Haige Road (currently No. 16 Long 303 Huashan Road). It was announced by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government as a municipally protected cultural relic unit in November 1984 and a Shanghai Base of Patriotism Education in December 2009.
It mainly introduces the life of Cai Yuanpei, who was praised by Mao Zedong as a leading academic figure and a model to all. Also on display are a large number of items used by Cai Yuanpei and his family, including a typewriter, porcelain, as well as the coffee table which was a present to Cai Yuanpei and participated in the Expo 1933 Chicago.
On the third floor is a physical museum composed of two parts, namely, the bedroom and the physical exhibition hall. On display are the clothes and hats of Cai Yuanpei, the furniture, trophies, birthday cards and other physical objects given by his friends on his 70th birthday. Open to the public on Wednesdays, the museum reproduces the life of Cai Yuanpei here in 1937.
CPC Shanghai Underground Struggle Exhibition Hall and Former Residence of Liu Changsheng
It was one of the secret offices of the CPC Shanghai Bureau as well as the residence of Liu Changsheng when he was engaged in the underground revolutionary struggle in Shanghai from 1946 to 1949.
In 2001, the entire building was moved eastwards by 118 meters using technologies. Since it was opened to the public on May 27 2004, it has been awarded as Shanghai Base of Patriotism Education and Shanghai Base for Party History Education.
The exhibition hall consists of exhibition areas on three floors. On the ground floor is the restored Massing Cafe, which was built by the Cultural Commission under the CPC Central Committee for the Left League. The second and third floors display oil paintings, sculptures, physical objects, simulated scenes and videos, showing how Liu Xiao, Liu Changsheng, Zhang Chengzong and other comrades developed the underground organization for struggles in Shanghai.
Exhibition Hall of the Former Residence of Mao Zedong in Shanghai
The former residence of Mao Zedong in Shanghai is a Shikumen house with patio, guest hall, front building and wing rooms. In 1924, Mao Zedong lived here with his wife Yang Kaihui, mother-in-law, and children Mao Anying and Mao Anqing. At that time, the front wing on the first floor was the bedroom and study of Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui, the back wing was the bedroom of Yang Kaihui’s mother, and the guest hall was where they had meals and met guests. Among his many visits to Shanghai, Mao Zedong stayed in Jiaxiuli for the longest.
In 2017, the building was restored based on the design drawings of Jiaxiuli. With traditional construction techniques and materials, details inside and outside were restored, such as alleys, door heads, pediments, brick lines, plinths, and panes. In the latest upgrade of exhibition in 2020, historical data about Mao Zedong, Yang Kaihui, and Mao Anying, collected from Hunan, Beijing and other places, was added. The exhibition hall offers a glimpse into the eventful years, celebrating the red spirit.
Exhibition Hall of the Former Site of the CPC Songpu Special Committee Office
The CPC Songpu Special Committee Office was where the older generation of proletariat revolutionaries such as Chen Yun and Hang Guoren carried out revolutionary struggles and led the peasant movement in Shanghai from 1928 to 1930.
In November 1987, the former site of the CPC Songpu Special Committee Office was listed by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government as a municipal protected cultural relic unit. From 2007 to 2010, the entire site was relocated here from No. 5, Lane 387, Shanhaiguan Road with the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage due to municipal works. On July 1, 2012, an exhibition hall built by the CPC Jing’an District Committee and the District People’s Government was open to the public.
The exhibition hall features pictures, physical objects, restored scenes and wood engraving, which introduce the CPC Songpu Special Committee and the peasants’ armed struggle it led at Zhuanghang Town, Fengxian, and Xinjie Town, Jinshan.
Memorial of the Military Commission under the CPC Central Committee
Located at No. 12, Lane 613, Xinzha Road (formerly No. 1015, Jingyuanli, Xinzha Road), it is an old Shikumen building built in 1919. It was listed as a historical and cultural heritage protected at municipal level in September 1962.
The Military Commission under the CPC Central Committee (also known as the Military Department) and related institutions were the important organs of the CPC Central Committee in leading military work and were active in Shanghai. In the complex and sinister environment, the Military Commission under the CPC Central Committee explored arduously major issues such as arming workers and peasants, holding uprisings, establishing the people’s army, and guiding the construction of the Red Army. It also witnessed the brilliant deeds of the revolutionary leaders like Zhou Enlai, Yang Yin, and Peng Pai. Trials and hardships have led to monuments in the military history. The CPC’s early practice and exploration of military struggles tempered the loyalty and character of the people’s army, forged the people’s armed forces, and offered valuable experience for the growth of the people’s army. In this way, way was paved for Mao Zedong’s theory of final seizure of the country’s political power by encircling the cities from the rural areas and then capturing them.
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