Suzhou Riverside in Shanghai: A Chinese Soho for Artists

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 14, 2002

Suzhou Riverside in Shanghai: A Chinese Soho for Artists

Suzhou River, once a river stank for 80 years in the urban area of Shanghai, has been cleaned up again thanks to government efforts. With its natural beauty now the river is a haven for artists and even attracts many real-estate developers.

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Deserted warehouses

The antique buildings along the Suzhou River in central Shanghai stand in stark contrast to Shanghai's image as a hip international city.

Most of them are deserted warehouses and workshops that date back to the 1930s, when the Suzhou River nurtured a major industrial base in Shanghai.

When the manufacturing industries withdrew from the city proper amid the urbanization drive, the riverside grew into a haven for artists, many of whom have opened studios and galleries in the abandoned buildings out of their deep affection for the river.

A haven for inspiration

Deng Kunyan, a designer from Taiwan, opened a studio in a two-story warehouse on the riverbank in 1998. Filled with old-style rosewood furniture and modern personal computers, his studio overlooks the Suzhou River, and the chugging of tugboats can be heard from time to time.

As one of the earliest settlers, Deng is confident that the riverside will prosper as a haven for artists, "just like Soho village for artists in New York, and the left bank of the River Seine in France," Deng told Xinhua in an interview.

The riverside has drawn crowds of artists during the past three years for the low rent, quietness, and aura of river history.

"This is a perfect place for artistic creation," said Ding Yi, an artist.

Liu Jidong, a designer, called his riverside studio "a deep well" where inspiration takes shape.

Liu's studio is in a warehouse that withstood a major battle in1937, when the Chinese fought tenaciously against the invading Japanese troops. The original bronze gates are still there, along with other remnants of history such as bullet holes and door numbers painted in white color.

Cleaned up by government

In addition to its natural appeal for artists, the Suzhou Riverside has turned into a prime development destination for many businesses.

The intensified efforts of the municipal government to clean up the Suzhou River, which was once seriously polluted, have drawn many real estate developers. Over ten residential areas are being built on the riverbank and "a bird's eye view of the river" is the selling point for most of them.

"Excess renovation work will deprive the riverside of its antiquity and consequently scare away the artists with gaudy buildings and high rents," said Li Liang, manager of an art gallery in Shanghai.

Whether the dream for a Chinese Soho in Suzhou River will come true or not, the use of empty warehouses for artistic creation and display has been widely applauded by artists as well as the average citizens in Shanghai.

Stories from the Suzhou River

Polluted River Water Becomes Clear Again

The Suzhou River, flowing through China's largest industrial and commercial center Shanghai, now has clearer water after citizens having seen dirty water for 80 years.

Balance Between Environment, Economy

A dirty Suzhou Creek, running through China's largest industrial and commercial center Shanghai, has done little to improve the city's environment over the past 80 years.

However, the scenery of the city has improved quite a lot as the creek has turned clear through a comprehensive treatment project.

Fish Return to River That Stank for 80 Years

Shanghai to Host Dragon Boat Race on Newly Cleaned Water