An exhibition, Stars Over China: The Ancient Shu Civilization of Sanxingdui and Jinsha, is being held at Shanghai Museum East. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism has announced an action plan to upgrade the city's cultural and tourism infrastructure between 2024 and 2027.

In collaboration with multiple government bodies, the plan aims to secure national ultra-long special treasury bonds for qualifying projects. It also encourages the use of municipal and district-level funds to support equipment upgrades, driving the high-quality development of Shanghai's cultural and tourism sectors.

The initiative focuses on market-driven growth, aiming to balance supply and demand, as well as development and safety. It emphasizes enhancing equipment, improving service standards, and fostering innovation, among other goals.

By 2024, the plan aims to comprehensively deploy the upgrade of cultural and tourism equipment across the city. By 2027, it aims to achieve a cumulative investment of 2 billion yuan ($275.68 million), which will significantly boost the quality and capacity of Shanghai's cultural and tourism infrastructure.

The strategy outlines several significant actions. Major tourist sites, national resorts, and public cultural venues will be upgraded. Improved transportation infrastructure will be emphasized, particularly elevators and water tourism facilities along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek.

Additionally, the plan includes replacing innovative entertainment equipment in important tourist destinations, theme parks, and urban parks to improve safety and operational standards. Theaters and concert venues will see upgrades to stage lighting, sound systems, and other performance-related equipment to enhance audience experiences.

The initiative promotes the adoption of smart service equipment in major tourist attractions and public cultural venues, incorporating technologies related to the metaverse. This move will reduce operational costs and enhance visitor experiences. To improve the city's preservation and exhibition capabilities, its museums and archaeological institutions will receive new packaging and storage equipment for artifacts, along with advanced display and laboratory equipment.

In the film industry, the plan calls for the enhancement of film and post-production equipment to meet high-tech standards. This includes the installation of new LED screen systems in cinemas and the promotion of Dolby and IMAX theaters. Efforts will also accelerate the adoption of 4K and ultra-high-definition television technologies, enhancing the quality and reach of broadcast content.

Furthermore, the plan involves updating public service and infrastructure equipment in historical towns and districts, as well as integrating energy-saving technologies and advanced monitoring systems to ensure the sustainable management and protection of historical buildings.

Sources: "shanghaitourism" WeChat account, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism