The Huangpu river is the largest river in Shanghai and the main outflow channel for the Taihu Lake. Huangpu River 113.4 kilometres long, and has historically been known as Dahuangpu, Huangpugang, Chunshenpu, and Chunshen River.
It rises in Dianshan lake and flows into Changjinag River Estuary. According to data from the Mishidu Hydrometric Station, Huangpu River has a mean discharge of 319 cubic meters per second, and the annual runoff volume is 10.06 billion cubic meters.
The river runs through 11 districts of Shanghai: Qingpu, Songjiang, Minhang, Fengxian, Pudong, Xuhui, Luwan, Huangpu, Hongkou, Yangpu and Baoshan.
The river has a water area of 47.6 square meters, and accounts for 8.83% of the total area of all lakes and rivers in Shanghai.
Prior to the Tang Dynasty, Huangpu River was called Dongjiang River. It was one of the three rivers flowing from the lower Taihu Lake into the sea, along with Songjiang River (today called the Wusong River) and Loujiang River (now Liuhe River). In the Southern Song Dynasty, it was assumed the name of Huangpu Later, water flow from the upper reaches of Wusong River reduced, and downstream stretches of the river silted up, slowing the water flow into Changjiang River. Xia Yuanji, Minister or Revenue in the Ming Dynasty accepted the suggestion of a Songjiang native named Ye Zongren to “dredge Fangjiabang Creek and divert water of the Huangpu River to the sea”. and began to excavate Fangjiabang Cree. The project was completed the following September with a canal 4 kilometres long and 100 meters wide.
Thereafter, Huangpu River relaxed Wusong River as the main watercourse to the sea. The river’s width of 50-70 meters was expanded to about 600 meters during the Yuan Dynasty. After the Opium War, with the opening of Shanghai was a port, Huangpu River became a port for commercial ships.
Huangpu River has been called the mother river of Shanghai. One abbreviation of Shanghai, “Shen”, is derived from the name Chunshen River, which is an old name for the Huangpu River. Ancient Shanghai was born on Wusong River, but modern Shanghai depends on Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek.
As early as 1907, in order to dredge and deepend the river, a levee was built on the left bank of Wusongkou, and a longitudinal embankment on its right bank.
These engineering projects not only effectively prevented sediment of Changjiang River from entering Huangpu River, but also made full use of tide to scour the shoal.
In 1924, the watercourse at Wusongkou was deepened to 6.3 meters, enabling 10,000-tonne vessels to sail into the harbour during flood tide. With the opening of the port, industry and commerce along the river boomed. Plants established along Huangpu River, e.g. Yangshupu Power Plant, Zhabei Power Plant, Yangshupu Water Treatment Plant, Jingnan Shipyard and Shiliupu Dock, symbolise China’s modern industrial and commercial development.
Impressive buildings on the Bund (the west bank of Huangpu River) are recognised as remarkable examples of western architecture. After 1949, especially after 1978, frequent dredging of navigation channels has made Huangpu River a fist-class international harbour.
The navigation channel from Wusongkou to west Minghang Power Plant (Juchaogang) is 67.2 kilometres long, 80% of which is more than 10 meters deep, and 90% over 9 meters deep. A 10,000-tonne vessel can pass under Songpu Bridge, and a 50,000 toner can sail into the lower reaches. There are about 300 deepwater berths above 1,000 tons on both sides of Huangpu River, of which almost 100 are 10,000-ton berths.
The North Bund (from Dalian road in the east to Wusong Road in the west), previously a wharf for international trade, has been transformed into the core of Shanghai International Shipping Service Center, and has an international container pier, international passenger terminal and a high quality shipping industry.
The function of Shanghai’s rivers has changed over time. The formerly busy region of the Shiliupu Dock has been transformed into Shiliupu Tourist Center, one of the landmarks of the new Bund.
The landmarks on the east bank of Huangpu River include Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone (with skyscrapers such as Oriental Peal Radio and TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center) and Expo site of the east of Lupu Bridge.
The multi-level transport network includes bridges over Huangpu River (Yangpu, Nanpu, Lupu, Xupu, Fengpu, Songpu Bridges and No.2 Songpu Bridge), nice tunnels (Wusongkou Outer Ring Road, Xiangyin Road, Dalian Road, Xinj Road, East Yan’an Road, Renmin Road, South Xizang Road, Dapuqiao and East Fuxing Road) and subway lines across Huangpu River.
The modern network is in stark contrast to the old situation when ferries were the only way to cross the river. Protected by 314 3 kilometers-long flood-control walls on both sides of the river.
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