Three routes for savoring historic, innovative, relaxing Yangpu

Yangpu is famous as the home of three prestigious universities, but the dynamic district in northeast Shanghai also beckons visitors with its history, architecture, creativity and innovation, as well as extensive green space, parks and campuses.自存倉Fudan and Tongji universities and the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics draw top students and researchers and their campuses are pleasantly walkable.The district also has museums, creative hubs, shopping centers and parks.Here Shanghai Daily recommends three routes for visitors.Route 1Qinhuangdao Road Pier —> National Anthem Gallery —> Yangpu Urban Planning Exhibition Center —> Shanghai International Fashion Center —> Fuxing Island Park• Pier at 32 Qinhuangdao Road was a water gate to the World Expo 2010 and later transformed into a tourist destination.In 2011, the pier was the first dockside venue in the city to accommodate weddings, drawing couples to say "I do."A creative center for local artists was opened in 2012 by the Shanghai Artists Association. It contains exhibition space, studios and salons dedicated to nurturing Shanghai talent.• Next stop is the National Anthem Museum (151 Jingzhou Rd). From the pier, it's only one stop on Metro Line 4 from Yangshupu Road Station to Dalian Road Station.Dedicated to the history of "March of the Volunteers," the museum is at the National Anthem Memorial Square.Composer Nie Er and lyricist Tian Han created the work to inspire people during the Japanese invasion. The exhibition covers their life and times. And, of course, there are many versions of the anthem with special audio-visual effects.• Next stop is the Yangpu District Urban Planning Exhibition Center (1111 Changyang Rd). It's just 1 kilometer to the northeast of the museum.The 1,428-square-meter space covers Yangpu's history over 300 years, including social and economic developments that are building it into a "knowledge-based" district. A digital map "Knowledge Yangpu" and a virtual presentation explain the plans.• Next stop, especially for fashion enthusiasts, is the Shanghai Fashion Center (2866 Yangshupu Rd). It's a 15-minute drive from the urban planning center.The spacious center is gradually becoming a fashion creative park, integrating international brands and their factory stores.• The last stop is relaxing Fuxing Island Park (383 Gongqing Rd) on the eastern side of the district. From the fashion center, take Bus No. 57 and get off after four stops at Fuxing Island Park Station.The park (5am-6pm), opened in 1951, was known as the Sports Society of Shanghai Conservancy Board. It was seized by Japanese invaders during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), and visitors can see Japanese-style gardens, as well as Chinese gardens.The park is beautifully landscaped and contains a rich variety of trees and plants.Route 2Tongji University & Fudan University —> Wujiaochang —> Knowledge and Innovation Community —> New Jiangwan CityThis route along Metro Line 10 explores the energetic and innovative side of Yangpu.• First stop is Tongji University's famous Wenyuan Building, in a wooded corner of the campus. Built in 1953, it's said to be one of China's first buildings in Bauhaus style.The campus' graffiti wall — graffiti is only permitted in designated areas — is a new scenic fashionable spot recognized by the Shanghai Tourism Administration. Here, and at some other universities, students are given a "canvas" to express themselves.Th迷你倉 wall stretches around 100 meters, behind Xiyuan and Xuyuan dining halls. At this time it's covered by about 20 works, from simple fonts to complex comic figures and paingints by young artists.• Next stop is Fudan University. From Tongji University, take Metro Line 10 and get off at Guoquan Road Station.Iconic Xianghui Auditorium is a must-see because of its collection of more than 300 oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) as well as the largest collection on China's mainland of ethnic art of the Gaoshan minority group of Taiwan.• Next is Wujiaochang, a popular shopping area and one of the four sub-centers in the city. It contains Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza and Bailian Youyicheng Shopping Mall — both include retail, entertainment and dining.• Moving on, you will arrive at the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) Center. It's just a walk from the shopping malls. The center has been called China's version of Silicon Valley, a multi-functional community where people can work, study, live.The KIC park (234 Songhu Rd) when completed, will provide office space, learning centers, exhibition halls and conference facilities. KIC Village will provide residential and recreational facilities. KIC Tech Park will be a R&D center.The nearby Jiangwan Stadium provides a football field, gymnasium, swimming pool and outdoor playing field.• The last stop is New Jiangwan City (Metro Line 10 New Jiangwan City Station), which is filled with trees and green space. Visitors can even hear birds singing.It's the old site of Jiangwan Airport. After it was closed and undisturbed for a long time, animals came back and greenery returned. As part of larger development, it has been designated an ecological preservation zone.Route 3800 Art Space —> Academicians Hall of Shanghai —> Chinese Martial Arts Museum —> Gongqing Forest Park• First stop is the Art Space (800 Guoshun Rd E.) in the Wujiaochang area. It used to be an industrial warehouse complex. In 2009 was reopened as a cultural industrial park, introducing many well-known galleries, bookstores and restaurants, including international brands.Designed in Bauhaus style, the warehouses now contains residences, fashion studios, art boutiques, tourist and leisure attractions. Exhibitions are staged regularly, as are art performances.• Next stop is the Academicians Hall of Shanghai (369 Guoshun Rd E.), just next to the 800 Art Space. It is a museum dedicated to the accomplishments of more than 200 Shanghai top academicians and researchers. It contains six halls, including "strivings and victories," "dreams and pursuits," "mission and honor."• Next top is the Chinese Martial Arts Museum (399 Changhai Rd), along Metro Line 8 north to Nenjiang Road Station.The museum, inside the Shanghai University of Sports, is one of the world's first to showcase the comprehensive history and culture of Chinese martial arts.It contains a history hall, weapons hall, temporary exhibition hall, 3d cinema and multimedia interaction area with touch screens and virtual books.• Last stop is the Gongqing Forest Park (2000 Jungong Rd), northeast of the martial arts museum. Take Metro Line 8 to the Shiguang Road Station.The park is the city's second largest and probably the closest one can get to a forest near downtown Shanghai. Containing hills, lakes and meadows, it's open for barbecue and picnics. It offers more than 30 outdoor activities, from rock climbing to canoeing.mini storage