Perhaps the most curious tale of Shanghai’s suburbs is that of Anting. Anting is a town in Jiading District. It borders Kunshan in Jiangsu to the west. This place has a story unlike any other.
Anting stands as one of the main hubs of China’s automotive industry. It hosts the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. It is home to the German/Chinese joint venture Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive. This company commands the largest market share of passenger cars in China.
Just a short drive from Anting awaits the Shanghai International Circuit. It is China’s first Formula One racetrack. For car enthusiasts, the Shanghai Auto Museum on Boyuan Road is a must-see.
Anting is divided into residential communities and villages. Tamiao is nicknamed “Auto City”. In the southern part of town, you can find an extension of “Anting Auto City”. It is called “Anting New Town”.
Let’s talk about Anting German Town. The first phase finished in June 2007. The vision was clear: a modern community with a distinct German urban aesthetic. This town hoped to house over 50000 residents.
Anting German Town is modeled on modern German towns. It features colorful Bauhaus-type buildings. Frankfurt-based architecture firm Albert Speer & Partner designed the district. Speer’s father was Hitler’s chief architect during World War II.
Getting to Anting is easy. Line 11 of the Shanghai Metro connects to the Lifehub shopping center at Anting Station. For rail travelers, Anting North Railway Station is on the Shanghai–Nanjing Intercity Railway.
Need a place to stay? The Crowne Plaza Shanghai Anting Golf opened in 2012. It is the first 5-star international hotel in Anting. It is on Boyuan Road. For entertainment, Lifehub@Anting offers clothing outlets, restaurants, coffee shops, and a cinema.
However, this ambitious project encountered some bumps along the road. Early reports painted a picture of a “ghost town.” There were financial troubles and poor sales.
Picture a modern German city. It is complete with housing, parks, and shops, but missing one thing. It is missing people. That was the initial impression of Anting New Town. It was part of the “One City, Nine Towns” project. This project aimed to create international-themed suburbs.
The German architects wanted a real city. They didn’t want a cheesy theme park. They designed environmentally friendly buildings. These buildings would not look out of place in Germany.
Although intended for 50000 residents, few actually moved in. But things began to change. A subway line connected Anting to Shanghai. New residents started to arrive. They sought a quieter life away from the city.
Today, Anting is evolving. It is becoming a blend of automotive industry, German-inspired architecture, and a growing community. It offers a unique glimpse into Shanghai’s suburban development. It is a place where the automotive industry meets modern living. Anting continues to write its story. It is a place where you can experience a unique blend of cultures and industries.