Shanghai's Changning district is strengthening its cultural branding by integrating public cultural services, tourism resources, and creative industries, with a focus on making culture more accessible in everyday settings.

During this year's "City Aesthetics Day", a series of public cultural activities were held at Hongqiao Central Park. Visitors took part in printmaking, portrait sketching, and intangible cultural heritage workshops, combining traditional crafts with contemporary art forms. The events were designed to encourage public participation and bring cultural experiences into open urban spaces.

Changning is also advancing initiatives that integrate culture, business, and tourism, offering visitors a more immersive cultural experience in new lifestyle settings.

At Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, a themed accordion performance was staged during the 41st Shanghai Spring International Music Festival. The event, accompanied by displays of traditional crafts such as paper-cutting, silk embroidery, and egg carving, aimed to present local culture to international travelers and enhance their inbound travel experience.

Community-based services are also part of the district's cultural landscape. At the Xianghe community canteen in Changning, Vincent Vesvres, a French national working in Shanghai, sampled a dish of bamboo shoots. "Amazing," he exclaimed. Beyond the flavors of Shanghai cuisine, Vesvres added that he was drawn to the family-like atmosphere of the canteen, where local elders gather. "This is exactly the kind of place that attracts me, where people share meals, and you truly feel part of a community. I genuinely feel like I'm experiencing life as a local in China," he added. Such venues have also attracted foreign tourists, offering a closer look at everyday life in Shanghai.

A growing creative economy is also driving Changning's cultural branding. As a long-time partner of Shanghai Fashion Week, the district continues to attract major fashion and design events. In addition, the new commercial complex in Changning — Crystal Bridge — is set to open soon, featuring an open, park-like design aligned with evolving lifestyle and retail trends. By bringing together fashion, design, and public space, it is expected to become a new commercial landmark in Changning's core business area.

Meanwhile, design-themed city walks and curated routes linking studios, galleries, and creative shops are turning neighborhoods into immersive exploration spaces, encouraging residents and visitors to discover the design stories behind them.

Through these efforts, Changning continues to promote the integration of culture with urban development, shaping a cultural identity that reflects both everyday life and the district's evolving creative economy.

Source: WeChat account of Changning district information office of "shchangning"