Cherry blossoms hit peak bloom in Changning District

As March arrives in Shanghai, cherry blossoms have become the undisputed highlight of the season. The reporter has curated a cherry blossom viewing map for Changning District, featuring less-crowded scenic spots perfect for capturing stunning photos.

Dreamy cherry blossoms in a century-old campus

Location: East China University of Political Science and Law (Changning Campus)

The elegant, time-honored architecture provides a striking contrast to the vibrant cherry blossoms. In front of Yen Hall, a single cherry tree blooms with quiet beauty, its pinkish-white petals clustering on branches like light clouds floating by the eaves. Students and visitors queue patiently to take photos under the tree, filling their screens with the essence of spring.

Romantic cherry grove in a historic park

Location: Zhongshan Park

Among the numerous cherry trees scattered throughout the park, the densest concentration lies beside the Royal Court Hotel Shanghai. This cherry grove, planted many years ago, spans about 1,350 square meters. From mid-March through mid-April, the blossoms unfold in succession, their pink and white petals swaying in the spring breeze, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a pink fairy tale world.

Petal-carpeted cherry blossom avenue

Location: Kaitian Road (near IM Shanghai)

About 120 Japanese early cherry and hill cherry trees line both sides of Kaitian Road. When in full bloom, they resemble pink and white clouds. A gentle breeze sends petals fluttering down, and this dreamy cherry blossom rain fills the neighborhood with romantic ambiance.

Cherry blossom avenue in an international community

Location: Huangjinchengdao

While Huangjinchengdao is famous for its autumn ginkgo trees, its spring cherry blossoms are equally breathtaking. The white cherry blossoms here are about to burst into bloom — a spring spectacle not to be missed.

Romantic cherry blossoms by the historic bell tower

Location: Raffles City Changning

The cherry blossom grove near Raffles City Changning's No. 4 historic building is laden with white and pale pink blossoms. As the breeze passes, falling petals create an intensely romantic scene.

Tips: The optimal cherry blossom viewing period in Changning runs from mid-March through mid-April. Visitors are advised to travel during off-peak hours and appreciate the flowers respectfully to preserve the beauty for longer.

Changning debuts as Shanghai International Flower Festival's new venue

As a major exhibition venue for the upcoming annual Shanghai International Flower Festival, the Changning branch venue will center around Zhongshan Park, connecting with neighboring areas including Columbia Circle, Linkong Livat, Tianshan, and Hongqiao to create a "boundless flower celebration." 

This marks the first time the Shanghai International Flower Festival has established a branch venue in Changning. The festival will divide the core venue, Zhongshan Park, into four thematic zones:

Momo Mood Tribe – Nestled along century-old water features including Chen’s Family Pond and the Mid-lake Island, this zone within the classical Chinese garden setting offers introverts seeking tranquility a spiritual haven for relaxation and reflection.

Old Money Romantic Tribe – Located near Gate 2 on the English-style lawn and along the historic Wanhangdu Road area, this space creates a "time-folding field" where nostalgic youth can stroll and contemplate.

Perceiving-Type Rambling Tribe – Stretching along the Suzhou Creek waterfront, this area suits spontaneous wanderers who enjoy walking and photographing, offering an easy dopamine-boosting journey.

Floral Creation Tribe – Connecting with commercial resources such as Cloud Nine and Yuyuan Road, this zone features floral handicrafts, fan workshops, trendy cultural products, and fashion pop-ups, allowing creativity to collide with floral fragrance.

The festival will also introduce the first mascot IP for Zhongshan Park, "Wuwu and Tongtong," to the public. This pair of "forest friends," inspired by plane tree elements, will serve as the park's friendly ambassadors, accompanying visitors as they explore the garden's floral displays and stories.

Preparations for the flower festival are currently progressing in an orderly manner. This spring, visitors are invited to slow down, step into Changning, enter Zhongshan Park, and discover their own "interest tribe."

‘Best Hongqiao’ International Business Roundtable hears private sector voices

The "Best Hongqiao" International Business Roundtable, with a focus on the private economy, was held on March 12 to gather insights on the development of private enterprises and solicit suggestions for optimizing the business environment and promoting high-quality growth in Changning District.

During the meeting, heads from Changning-based enterprises including Westwell, Black Lake Technology, and Hi-Dolphin Robotics delivered speeches covering topics such as corporate development, industrial collaboration, policies and services, resource allocation, and market expansion. Their remarks demonstrated keen insights into industry trends and sincere expectations for Changning's development.

Changning District Director Liu Ping said that the "Best Hongqiao" International Business Roundtable mechanism has built an efficient communication bridge between government and enterprises while consolidating joint development efforts. He emphasized that the district government will carefully review, thoroughly study, and fully implement the valuable suggestions put forward by entrepreneurs, supporting the growth and expansion of the private economy.

Liu noted that Changning is currently accelerating its efforts to organize and refine policy lists, resource inventories, and enterprise directories, encouraging businesses to actively engage and boldly explore new business ventures and models. 

Leveraging the Hongqiao Enterprise Global Headquarters Cluster, he expressed hope that companies with overseas expansion needs would consider Changning as a "bridgehead" for going global. 

He added that Changning is now entering a concentrated phase of releasing office resources, with a series of high-quality commercial spaces featuring excellent facilities, complete amenities, and convenient transportation set to be completed and opened successively. Private enterprises will have diverse choices covering millions of square meters of space when expanding their businesses and scaling operations.

On January 28, Changning District released its 2026 action plan for accelerating the creation of a world-class business environment along with a series of measures to promote high-quality development of the private economy, aiming to make doing business in Changning more convenient, reliable, smoother, and reassuring for private enterprises.

Shanghai A.F.A. shopping center set to open later this year

Shanghai A.F.A., a large-scale mixed-use complex in Changning District, is expected to open its shopping center in the second half of this year, with its operator currently in advanced talks with renowned domestic and international commercial brands and corporate headquarters.

Located at 570 Huaihai Road W., at the intersection of Changning and Xuhui districts, the project boasts a total floor area of approximately 230,000 square meters. It comprises three Grade A office towers, four standalone headquarters buildings, the A.F.A. shopping center, and the ROJO art and cultural space. The site is easily accessible via Hongqiao Road Station on Metro Lines 3, 4, and 10.

A standout feature of Shanghai A.F.A. is its spatial design concept that embraces the integration of natural elements into its architectural framework. With a green coverage rate as high as 22 percent, the project weaves natural ecosystems seamlessly into the urban landscape. Rows of cherry trees line the main lawn, set to transform into a romantic blossom-lined path when spring arrives. Beyond its scenic beauty, the complex also offers thoughtful amenities including resting benches and pet waste bags.

The 6,000-square-meter ROJO art and cultural space, a core component of Shanghai A.F.A., has already hosted a series of prestigious brand events since its opening, including a Bulgari jewelry exhibition and Ralph Lauren's 2025 spring fashion show, garnering recognition from international brands for its venue appeal.

Guided by the philosophy of "art for life, art for all," Shanghai A.F.A. aims to create an "art-enjoyment city" that integrates lifestyle shopping, business office space, cultural activities, and green parks. Originally the site of Shanghai No.10 Steel Plant, the project preserves the industrial architectural fabric while introducing commercial, office, and cultural functions.

The A.F.A. shopping center encompasses about 50,000 square meters of commercial space and will feature a diverse mix of tenants including outdoor lifestyle brands, extreme sports retailers, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Mid-March brings early tulip blooms to Changning's streets

In mid-March, as spring gradually unfolds, tulips at multiple locations throughout Changning District have entered their early bloom stage, painting a romantic spring picture across the urban landscape.

The tulip displays are primarily distributed along Changning's main thoroughfares and residential neighborhoods, blending historical heritage with everyday local life to showcase the district's unique charm.

Strolling along Changning Road and Jiangsu Road, tulips can be spotted dotting the areas beneath plane trees. Notable displays include the "Feather Flower Bed" on Jiangsu Road, the flower racks along the median strip of Changning Road, and the "Little Pepper Flower Bed" at the Dingxi Road intersection, where historical architecture intertwines with vibrant blooms.

Along Gubei Road and Maotai Road, flower boxes and beds are already bursting with spring colors. The "Ant Flower Bed" at the intersection of Furongjiang Road and Maotai Road features playful sculptural elements paired with splendid floral displays.

Additionally, multiple landscape nodes including Hongqiao Road and Hongxu Road have been freshly adorned with tulips.

Currently in their early blooming phase, the tulips will reach their optimal viewing period over the next two weeks, with the flowering season expected to last through early April.