Cruises on Suzhou Creek to resume, expand next month

Shanghai will restore Suzhou Creek cruises next month, affording views of historic and modern buildings on both sides of the stream after the city stopped the service for a year to dredge the creek, officials said yesterday.

The new cruise route will be extended to 19 kilometers from the former 10 kilometers - from the Danba Road Dock to Moganshan Road Dock in Putuo District and to the Waibaidu Bridge in Huangpu District, said Chen Min, director of the Changfeng Ecology Commercial district management committee of Putuo District who is in charge of the cruise.

More than 10 new docks will be built for passengers to get off to visit buildings on both sides of the river, Chen said.

"Passengers will be able to view both the legacy of China's early industries and the modern arts ... it will be a window of the history of Shanghai's economic development," said Chen.

The cruise will wind its way under 12 bridges and pass historical buildings such as the former Shanghai Flour Co and Sihang Warehouse.

The Putuo District government is also developing 10 museums, including a movie art museum of kung fu actor Jackie Chan and museums for yachts and matchboxes, along the route.

"The committee will develop different routes for passengers who want to visit the art museums or Changfeng Park or view the old factory buildings," said Chen Yufei, a press officer for the committee.