Water town in Zhejiang to connect with Shanghai

Nanxun, a water town in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, is embracing the chance to integrate with the Yangtze River Delta after a high-speed train line linking Nanxun and Shanghai started construction this year.

It is a two and half hour drive from Shanghai to Nanxun at present, but after the high-speed train is put into service the journey will only take 20 minutes, Shen Xuefen, deputy head of Nanxun said.

The water town has invested more than 2 billion yuan (US$300.23 million) into promoting its infrastructure and renovating historic buildings this year. Over 1.68 square kilometres of the reserved old town area has been renovated so far.

At Zunde Hall, the former dwelling of Zhang Jingjiang — renowned politician and businessman during the early 20th century — workers managed to find the exact same wood that was used to build the columns of the house in 1898. Renovations there were completed this year.

Some of the area's historic buildings have been particularly worn down over the years. Tu Jun, party secretary of Nanxun resort zone, said 51 buildings will be renovated and opened to the public within three years.

A large portion of tourists to the area are from Shanghai, Shen said. In 2016 the number was 3.16 million visitors, accounting for almost 30 percent of the total tourist number.

“We will continue cooperation with Shanghai in not only tourism,” said Yang Changhai, head of the district’s publicity department. “But also in manufacturing, tech and traffic.”