Shanghai Suzhou Creek Ebike Tour: Art, History & Urban Renewal

Join me as I travel on a revitalized Suzhou Creek by ebike from the 1000 trees development near the M50 art space all the way to the Bund. The weather was very good again.

Suzhou Creek (or Soochow Creek), also called the Wusong (Woosung) River, is a river that passes through the Shanghai city center. It is named after the neighboring city of Suzhou (Soochow), Jiangsu, the predominant settlement in this area prior to the rise of Shanghai as a metropolis.

One of the principal outlets of Lake Tai in Wujiang District of Suzhou, Suzhou Creek is 125 km (78 mi) long, of which 54 km are within the administrative region of Shanghai and 24 km within the city's highly urbanized parts. It flows into the Huangpu River at the northern end of the Bund in Huangpu District.

Since 1992, the Shanghai Municipal Government has been pursuing a redevelopment of the area. In 1998, authorities launched the Suzhou Creek Rehabilitation Project, a 12-year-program to improve the water quality, mitigate flood impact, introduce wastewater and water resource management and push for urban revitalization and a higher living standard in the desolated areas along Suzhou River. In the meantime, Suzhou River is considered clean enough to host annual rowing competitions.

Due to its location in the former International Settlement, a number of landmarks from that period can be found along or close to Suzhou Creek. Following the river westward from its confluence, important or famous places include: Huangpu Park and the northern end of the Bund, Astor House Hotel, Consulate-General of Russia, Shanghai Mansions (previously Broadway Mansions), Shanghai General Post Office, Suzhou Creek Art District ("M50"), Sihang Warehouse, Fotografiska Gallery, Beer Lady, 1908 Art Space.