A tardy autumn brings pink blooms to Changning

Though autumn has arrived late in Shanghai this year, Changning District is already adorned with a breathtaking spectacle—the seasonal blooming of pink muhly grass. Both at Hongqiao Sports Park and the city's Outer Ring Eco Greenway, the ethereal pink haze of these delicate grasses is now at its peak.

Near the Tianshan Road W. entrance of Hongqiao Sports Park and along its winding paths, vast stretches have been transformed into a soft, rosy dreamscape. For the most magical experience, visit in the early morning. Dewdrops still cling to the feathery plumes, while the occasional low-flying aircraft passes overhead. In these moments, the pink grasses, morning mist, and shadow of airplane wings merge into a scene of unexpected poetry.

For those seeking an even more immersive display, a short walk through the park leads to the Outer Ring Eco Greenway. There, tucked away near the Tianshan Road W. Bridge at the end of a metasequoia-lined trail, lies the largest expanse of pink muhly grass in Changning. This particular sea of pink feels wilder and more unrestrained, spreading freely without formal borders and creating a striking contrast with the dark green metasequoia forest behind it.

This rare autumnal gift—a delayed season yielding such vibrant blooms—is a fleeting pleasure in Shanghai. If time allows, take a tranquil stroll through Changning. Let the crisp autumn air and the gentle embrace of the pink muhly grass guide you to the heart of this beloved, beautiful autumn.

Visitor Information:

Hongqiao Sports Park

Location: 820 Suining Road  

Opening hours: 24 hours

Changning Outer Ring Eco Greenway

Guangshun Road N. Entrance

Transport:  

Bus: Xinjing Line 1 (suspended on weekends and holidays) to Guangshun Road N. Linxin Road Station, or Bus 74 to Fuquan Road N. Linxin Road Station  

Parking: Street parking spaces along Guangshun Road N. 

Hours: 6:30–20:30 (last entry 30 minutes before closing)

Kele Road / Xianxia Road W. Entrance

Transport:  

Bus: 141, 176, or 1221 to Xianxia Road W. Beixiang Road Station, or 941 to Yingle Road Xianxia Road W. Station  

Parking: Near the southwest gate of Xinjing Jiayuan Residential Complex  

Hours: 6:30–20:30 (last entry 30 minutes before closing)

Konggang Road No. 8 Entrance

Transport:  

Metro: Line 10 to Hongqiao Airport T1 Station, then transfer to Bus 941 to Youle Road Yingbin Road No. 1 Station, or Bus 88 to Jinbang Road Fuquan Road Station  

Parking: Underground parking at East Hongqiao Center, 299 Youle Road  

Hours: 6:30–20:30 (last entry 30 minutes before closing)

Friendly reminder: Bicycles are available for rental at all Greenway entrances.

Changning's holiday spending surges, driven by night economy and cultural events

According to key commercial performance data, consumer spending in Changning District's four major business districts during the National Day holiday (October 1–8) increased by 22.76 percent year-on-year.

The Zhongshan Park commercial center led the growth with a remarkable 35.85 percent year-on-year rise in spending. By the end of the holiday period, the Cloud Nine Shopping Center had surpassed 10 billion yuan (US$1.40 billion) in total sales for the year. Changning Columbia Circle, recently recognized as one of Shanghai’s recommended nightlife destinations, saw nighttime spending more than double, surging 104.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Changning branch of the second Shanghai International Light Festival was held at Livat Shanghai, coinciding with the mall’s anniversary celebrations and allowing visitors to enjoy both art and special promotions in one stop. The 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters tournament schedule overlapped with the golden week, and under the influence of "ticket stub economy," the Xianxia Tennis Center significantly boosted surrounding dining and retail consumption.

Columbia Circle enhanced the quality of nighttime cultural consumption by hosting the sixth Suspense Theatre Festival, while the third Xiaohongshu "Street Life Festival" took place along Yuyuan Road.

The Cloud Nine Shopping Center attracted young tech enthusiasts by introducing the EX Robot Theater, the brand’s first location in China. Meanwhile, the first 5G-A Mobile Shenhua Co-branded Hall in the country opened at UU Center, creating a new super space for social check-ins, experiences, and consumption.

A variety of themed markets were also held throughout the holiday, including the BuBu Market in the Yuyuan Art & Life Block, the Earth Life Festival market at The Place, and the "Art Wander • Autumn Hues" market at Columbia Circle, each providing immersive social experiences for different audiences.

Starting October 10, the National 15-Minute Community Life Service Month will kick off its Changning chapter. The district will organize three community itinerant markets to showcase convenient service brands and create accessible, neighborhood-friendly commercial scenarios.

MODE Shanghai fashion trade show opens in Changning

The Spring/Summer 2026 edition of the MODE Shanghai Fashion TradeShow has opened at the Hongqiao United Plaza, bringing together nearly 250 established commercial brands and pioneering designers from 30 countries and regions.

As the core platform of Shanghai Fashion Week’s “Asia’s Largest Ordering Season,” MODE Shanghai has consistently driven industrial innovation and global collaboration. This season’s exhibition spans 17,000 square meters, creating an integrated ecosystem for display, transactions, and creative exchange.

Participating brands showcase rich aesthetic diversity and groundbreaking practices, from contemporary reinterpretations of Eastern aesthetics and intangible cultural heritage techniques, to avant-garde explorations in deconstruction and identity narratives, as well as innovative applications of technology and sustainability. Through collaborations with leading showrooms, domestic brands gain access to international resources, while overseas brands receive localized support, enabling two-way empowerment between global and local markets.

This edition also highlights global pioneers in sustainability, focusing on three key dimensions: bio-based materials, digital fashion, and the revitalization of traditional craftsmanship. A dedicated “green feast” of technology, nature, and culture runs throughout the exhibition.

Notably, BioFleax™, a fully bio-based polymer material developed by Leaf Biotech, made its debut, attracting significant attention. “We transform renewable resources such as crop straw, corn cores, and recycled fabrics into sustainable fibers through specialized technology,” said a company representative. “The material offers moisture-wicking, quick-drying, natural antibacterial, and eco-friendly UV protection properties, ensuring greater comfort in wear.”

As Shanghai’s only designated “Fashion Consumption Block Cluster,” Changning District continues to foster a vibrant creative industry, strengthening brand influence and deepening integration between fashion and consumer markets, making it a repeated host for the influential MODE Shanghai.

Changning launches ‘15-Minute Community Life Circle’ initiative

The Shanghai Changning leg of the national 15-Minute Convenient Living Service Month kicked off at Hongqiao Park on October 10, promoting easier access to daily services for local residents.

Under the theme “Convenient services, enjoyable living,” the campaign aims to bring a wide range of services directly into neighborhoods. These include programs for replacing old household goods with new ones, support services for seniors and children, promotions of time-honored brands and catering options, as well as convenient services and public interest initiatives.

A highlight of the event was the official launch of the Shanghai 15-Minute Community Life Circle Service Alliance. Initiated by Bailian Group, the alliance brings together ten founding members, including Pinduoduo, JD.com’s Electronics division, and Spring Tour, to develop an integrated neighborhood service model. 

The coalition will collaborate with specialized providers in areas like watch repair, eyewear cleaning, senior-friendly tourism, appliance trade-ins, home services, age-friendly home modifications, and property maintenance, offering residents a comprehensive and high-quality living experience right at their doorsteps.

The initiative builds on Changning’s recent designation as Shanghai’s first pilot zone for fully advancing the 15-minute community life circle. The district has been recognized for its distinctive approach that blends “international flair with the warmth of local community life.”

Neighborhoods across Changning have each developed their own unique identity and service map. These range from the cultural charm of Xinhua to the international vibe of Hongqiao, and from the liveliness of Tianshan to the green, family-friendly spaces of Xinjing, each tailoring its services to local resources and needs.

Six district-level departments, including the Social Development Office, also introduced a series of service brands covering employment, consumer services, digital reading, elderly-adaptive home upgrades, and fitness programs.

A roving pop-up market opened at Hongqiao Park together with the launch, offering a range of convenient services and community activities. Additional market events are scheduled in Xianxia Subdistrict from October 17 to 18 and in Hongqiao Subdistrict from October 24 to 25, bringing the campaign even closer to residents’ doorsteps.

Shanghai issues landmark 5-year work permit to US legal expert in Changning

In a significant policy breakthrough, the Hongqiao One-Stop Service Center for Overseas Talent in Changning District recently issued Shanghai’s first five-year work permit for a foreign legal professional hired by a local law firm, accompanied by the city’s first corresponding five-year work-type residence permit.The recipient, J. Benjamin Bai, a Chinese-American hired by the Shanghai office of King & Wood Mallesons, expressed his appreciation for the new policy. "Here in Changning, having the permit's maximum duration extended from one year to the legally allowed five years provides tangible benefits for both the law firm and foreign legal consultants like myself," Bai said after receiving the documents.

This issuance marks a major institutional reform in the city's process for granting work permits to foreign professionals in the legal sector. It delivers a significant "policy benefit" for law firms actively expanding their overseas practice areas.

The reformed process introduces a coordinated online pre-review and joint-handling mechanism between the judicial administration, talent, and public security departments. This innovation shifts the application process from a fragmented, "item-by-item" approach to a streamlined "one-stop" service at a single window.

Key breakthroughs include:

Extended validity: Permits now reach the statutory five-year maximum, moving beyond the previous one-year limit tied to a firm's annual inspection cycle, significantly reducing the times for foreign staff to return for visa renewals.

Tolerant acceptance: For firms granted permits exceeding one year, a "tolerant acceptance" policy allows for a natural extension of their foreign hires' permits in the following year through supplementary documentation, substantially lowering administrative burdens.

Balanced oversight: The system effectively balances procedural flexibility ("tolerant acceptance") with robust "pre-warning supervision."

The Changning District Justice Bureau plans to further refine these procedures, including exploring a "white list" system for qualified law firms and accelerating the implementation of other facilitative measures, such as multi-entry business visas to Hong Kong and Macao for lawyers.