Changning's cutting-edge products highlighted at the China International Fair for Trade in Services

The five-day 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services wrapped up on 13 September. As a national-level comprehensive trade fair for services, this year’s event showcased cutting-edge achievements in the digital and intelligent transformation of the global service sector, with enterprises from Changning making a strong impression with their cutting-edge products, attracting significant attention from exhibitors both at home and abroad.

Hi-Dolphin Technology's seventh-generation COFE+ fully intelligent robotic coffee shop was showcased in three exhibition areas: the Peruvian National Pavilion, the Catering Robot Zone, and the Service Robot Zone. 

The robotic arm smoothly completed the entire process of grinding coffee beans, extraction, and latte art, delivering a perfectly latte-decorated cup of specialty coffee to the user within seconds. Customized designs uploaded via QR code were quickly rendered using edible 3D milk foam printing technology, prompting many overseas buyers to stop and inquire about its practical application details.

As a high-tech enterprise deeply involved in the field of intelligent service robots, Hi-Dolphin Technology' core technology team is comprised of technical talents from well-known domestic universities. 

The seventh-generation fully intelligent robot coffee shop presented at the fiar this time has achieved full self-developed hardware and a closed loop of full software development, intuitively demonstrating a new light store paradigm of "equipment as store, equipment as service, and equipment as beverage". It only requires 15 minutes of replenishment and maintenance per day to stably produce 300 cups of customized beverages covering eight kinds of flavor.

According to the founder of Hi-Dolphin Technology, its business covers 75 countries and regions across five continents, with applications scenarios ranging from universities and hospitals to core airports and cultural and tourism landmarks worldwide.

Xixiang Technology, also a local company in Changning, showcased its smart catering solution covering the full value chain at the fair. 

The complete range of services and solutions ranges from smart canteen management solutions to unmanned retail terminals. This attracted business partners from industrial parks, campuses, and overseas commercial operators for discussions and business negotiations. 

At the smart snack machine, visitors need only follow a few simple steps to receive a piping-hot, freshly prepared light meal in under two minutes; the fully contactless cooking process drew repeated praise from many guests.

Its smart health mirror integrated dietary and health data, offering a dynamic dietary suggestion based on individual nutritional demand. Users can simply stand in front of the mirror and complete a simple body fat scan, instantly generating dietary recommendations for the day on the screen.

As the first service provider in the country to roll out AI-powered unmanned kitchens, Xixiang Technology's fully unmanned cooking algorithms cover more than 3,000 dishes across eight major types of Chinese cuisines. 

Serving over 3,000 clients nationwide, its products are used in diverse settings including schools, industrial parks, hospitals, and major sporting events. These unmanned retail terminals, occupying only 1 to 2 square meters, can provide stable 24-hour meal service without human intervention.

Backed by more than ten years of technological accumulation and over a hundred core patents, the company looks forward to connecting with more overseas partners and improving localization offerings in overseas markets. 

Both companies possess proven capabilities for commercial implementation and clear strategies for empowering the industry; their appearance at the China International Fair for Trade in Services serves as a microcosm of Changning’s efforts to promote the deep integration of digital services with public services. 

Newly opened walking trail in the Xinhongqiao Central Garden 

With sunshine, a gentle breeze, shady trees, and bustling crowds, the Xinhongqiao Central Garden in early autumn presents a vibrant scene. Recently, the public fitness trail at the New Hongqiao Central Garden, located at No.2238 Yan'an West Road, completed its overall renovation and reopened to the public with a brand-new look.

Stepping onto the trail, the bright red rubberized boardwalk stretches between two rows of green trees, its vibrant color exuding energy. The path is soft and springy underfoot, making it very comfortable to walk on. Built in the late 1990s, the landscape design draws inspiration from the "naturally formed" style of Hangzhou gardens, with lush trees and a wild, natural feel, like a green forest that has grown naturally in the city. Several benches are provided along the way for the elderly to rest at any time.

According to the district sports bureau, the fitness trail in the Xinhongqiao Central Garden was originally built in 2014, and its most recent renovation was in 2020. 

Due to long-term high-frequency use, it showed signs of aging, so a new round of renovation was launched this year. This renovation project paid close attention to detail—the ground paving uses a three-layer structure: a crushed stone subbase, an asphalt concrete base, and an EPDM rubber surface layer. This ensures the stability and durability of the trail while providing good elasticity and cushioning, effectively protecting the knee joints of users. Ramps were installed at the points of elevation difference between the trail and the benches and badminton courts, preventing sprains and ensuring drainage. The width was increased from 2.2 meters to 2.4 meters for a more comfortable walking experience.

Ms. Gu, who frequently exercises in the park, was very satisfied with the renovated trail and enthusiastically shared her personal experience: "After the trail was renovated, it feels great underfoot, very soft. A very obvious yellow ramp has been added between the trail and the benches, which makes it less likely for the elderly and children to twist their ankles, which is excellent," she said. 

The upgrade of the Xinhongqiao Central Garden Citizen Fitness Trail is one of the district sports bureau's "doing practical things for the people" projects in 2026. In addition, the renovation of 10 citizen fitness gardens in the region is underway and will be opened to the public gradually. 

Wu Zhiqing, head of the Xinhongqiao Central Garden, also revealed some good news. The park will continue to utilize the space under the overpass to upgrade and create sports fields for tennis, badminton, and other activities, providing more sports facilities for citizens.

BURTON's first concept store in Shanghai unveiled in Changning

The first concept store of American snowboarding brand BURTON recently opened in the Columbia Circle, deeply integrating snowboarding culture into the city's historic district and creating a new sports consumption scene that combines trendiness with cultural warmth. 

The brand's 50th anniversary celebration, held concurrently with the opening, brought an immersive snow experience into the public space, allowing the free atmosphere of the ski resort to blend naturally with the vibrancy of the neighborhood, becoming a recent hot topic in Shanghai's trend culture scene.

A new store has opened in Changning, and a collection of new products has been launched.BURTON was founded in 1977 in a barn in Vermont, USA. Founder Jake Burton Carpenter started by handcrafting his first snowboard. In an era when snowboarding was still a niche sport, he traveled around the world with his snowboard to promote snowboarding culture and let more people experience the unique charm of snow sports.

BURTON's first concept store in Shanghai, located in the second phase of the Columbia Circle, integrates multiple functions such as product sales, cultural display, community club operation, and skater exchange and promotion. It naturally extends snowboard culture into everyday urban life, becoming a new offline platform for the brand to connect the skater community, outdoor community, and urban lifestyle. Many young consumers who visited the store said they could feel the free atmosphere of snowboarding and the cultural context of the sport.

The store is carrying its new snowboard series for the 2026-2027 season. Among them, the "Good Dog Bad Dog" and "Cat" designs have garnered a large number of inquiries and pre orders from consumers due to their fun appearance and optimized gliding performance. The limited-edition AK series apparel, specially designed for the Chinese market, also made its debut in the store, providing domestic snowboarders with exclusive snowboarding gear options for the season.

While discussing why BURTON chose to open its first concept store in Shanghai at the Columbia Circle, Global CEO Donna Carpenter stated that Shanghai possesses a distinctive street culture, vibrant urban consumption, and diverse youth lifestyles. The Columbia Circle, as a benchmark project for urban renewal in Shanghai, not only preserves the historical fabric of old buildings but also gathers a large number of emerging outdoor fashion brands, creating a highly dynamic youth culture and consumption atmosphere, which aligns perfectly with the brand's current development direction of expanding into urban settings. The Xinhua Road Subdistrict also collaborated with the Columbia Circle to streamline the entire process for the brand's new store opening.

As a key cultural and consumer landmark developed by Changning District, the Columbia Circle boasts several municipal-level titles, including Shanghai Municipal Tourism and Leisure Street and Shanghai Global New Product Launch Landmark, combining international industry influence with local public cultural vitality. The arrival of BURTON further enriches the neighborhood's outdoor trend sports offerings, injecting new sports culture momentum into the construction of a "distinctive urban area of Shanghai International Consumption Center City."

On the opening day of the new store, BURTON's 50th anniversary celebration was also. The brand brought professional snowboard competitions into the city's public space, creating the "Alleyway Battle" urban snow jam competition, directly placing real snow track scenes in the Columbia Circle, creatively presenting the speed, skill and freedom atmosphere on the snow mountain.

The entire event was set up with real snow and featured unique elements such as free improvisation. There were no fixed action scripts or strict competition requirements, allowing skaters to fully express themselves on the snow slopes and use their improvisational creativity and personal skating style to complete a street-style urban snowboard showdown.

X-Games 12-time champion Mark McMorris was invited to serve as a judge for this event, joining skaters from different countries and generations in this urban collision of snowboard culture. Internationally renowned skaters Zeb Powell and Niels Schack, as well as Liu Jiayu, a leading figure in Chinese snowboarding, also attended the event. 

For many years, the BURTON brand has been deeply intertwined with global snowboarding culture, continuously promoting snowboarding into broader aspects of everyday life. "The 50th anniversary is not the end, but the beginning of continuing to 'hear the snowboarders.' How to translate the popularity of winter sports into longer-term, broader participation has become an important direction for our continued investment in events, communities, youth, and the sports ecosystem. Through historical exhibitions, snowboarder exchanges, and the presentation of snowboard culture in urban spaces, we hope to let more people understand the freedom, exploration, and co-creation that snowboarding represents," explained Donna Carpenter.

Groups of German students visit Changning during study tour

On September 16th and 17th, the "Wisdom Gathering in Hongqiao Area: Sino-German Youth Science and Technology Innovation Dialogue" German University Youth Talent Science and Technology Innovation Training Camp, hosted by the Hongqiao International Central Business District Management Committee and the Changning Overseas Friendship Association, was held in Changning. 

This training camp focused on site visits, policy briefings, and roundtable discussions, highlighting Changning District's key industrial development in areas such as digital economy, biomedicine, and high-end services, offering a multi-scenario, immersive learning experience.

The 29 young talents participating in this training camp mainly come from German universities such as the University of Bremen, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, and Leipzig University. Their majors cover multiple cutting-edge fields including computer science, intelligent manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and biotechnology. Representatives from various companies also participated. The program was led by the German platform Frühstarter, an initiative based at the Leuphana University campus in Lüneburg. 

The training camp's first stop was Westwell Technology, where participants experienced firsthand Changning District's robust technological innovation capabilities in artificial intelligence and its cutting-edge technology applications through exhibition hall visits, technical explanations, and interactive activities. Simultaneously, the District Talent Work Bureau conducted a special session and introduced overseas talent policies, providing clear policy guidance for young German talents to innovate, start businesses, and exchange ideas in Changning.

The training camp visited several distinctive sites, including Xixiang Technology's AI Smart Canteen, the Shanghai Low-Altitude Economy Reception and Exhibition Hall, Oriental Employee Welfare Platform, the Hongqiao Overseas Talent One-Stop Service Center, and the Columbia Circle. 

Participants experienced firsthand the achievements of Changning's distinctive industrial development, its international talent service system, and its urban renewal landscape, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Changning's development ecosystem as a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship and a haven for quality living. 

The training camp also visited Simcere Pharmaceutical, a company located in the Hongqiao Business District, and held a closing ceremony. 

Representatives of the German students tour group shared their thoughts and reflections on the training. Lazhar Znaid from Fachhochschule Wedel University of Applied Sciences stated that the trip provided him with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China's technology company culture and innovation ecosystem. 

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion with the theme "Technology, Innovation and Industry Cooperation between China and Germany", where representatives from government, business, and academia from both countries engaged in in-depth discussions. 

Guests exchanged views and offered suggestions on core topics such as cutting-edge technological innovation trends, the unique industrial advantages of China and Germany, cross-border industrial collaboration, youth talent exchange and training, and the two-way transformation of scientific and technological achievements. They precisely explored the potential for cooperation between the two sides and sought to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism.

This event has established a regular bridge for connections between young talents, universities, and science and technology enterprises in China and Germany, further promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, deep integration of industry and education, and collaborative development of innovation and entrepreneurship. 

The Changning Overseas Friendship Association will continue to leverage the advantages of the Hongqiao Open Hub, based on the region's science and technology industry and talent resources, to continuously develop branded exchange activities for overseas youth in science and technology innovation, and contribute to the high-quality development of the region's science and technology industry.

Changning named one of the “Coolest Neighborhoods in the World”

Recently, Time Out, a globally renowned urban lifestyle guide magazine, released its annual list of the "Coolest Neighborhoods in the World." This year's list selected 40 distinctive neighborhoods around the world, with Shanghai's Changning district taking the 26th position. 

Changning, with its sycamore-lined streets and tranquil atmosphere, is becoming one of Shanghai's most vibrant and trendy neighborhoods.Changning's unique vibe stems from its streetscape, where old and new coexist. 

It retains numerous garden villas and historical buildings, which have been revitalized through organic renewal, transforming into boutique shops, specialty restaurants, and miniature art spaces, exuding a rich artistic atmosphere. 

The area boasts numerous universities and a plethora of delicious food options, complemented by urban green spaces like Zhongshan Park, creating a comfortable neighborhood atmosphere where one can stroll, eat, play, and relax.

Time Out has created a special "Perfect Day" city-walk itinerary for Changning, encapsulating the area's trendy lifestyle. 

The core destination is ParkDimanche, a park known for its independent and artistic atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy exquisite coffee and desserts at Kainos and Polly, participate in Pilates classes at Pilactive, and relax at L Forest Bookstore. In the evening, they can experience a Tango Cool class and savor the unique cuisine at Den-Q, unlocking a relaxing and therapeutic evening routine.

The list takes the quality of local life as its core criterion, and selects the winners from five dimensions: food and beverage industry, nightlife, local independent businesses, livability and community atmosphere. It is based on on-site visits by global city experts and final selection by professional editors, focusing on the real and vibrant charm of neighborhoods rather than the traditional popularity of internet celebrities and landmarks.

This inclusion on the list is a recognition of Changning's urban landscape, cultural and tourism offerings, and quality of life at a global level. Leveraging its historical heritage, artistic atmosphere, and vibrant energy, Changning transcends traditional tourism models, showcasing a more lively and relaxed side of Shanghai to the world through its unique local charm. In the future, Changning will continue to enrich its trendy cultural and tourism offerings, revitalize its old neighborhoods, and further enhance its reputation as one of the "coolest neighborhoods in the world."