Curious about a district that vanished yet thrives? That’s Nanhu District. It existed as an administrative division of Shanghai. But it merged into the Pudong New Area in May 2009.
Nanhu District’s story begins long before its official establishment. About 2000 years ago, the Yangtze River met the Qiantang River. This convergence formed the land. During the Tang Dynasty, it gained the name Nanhuizui. “Nan” means South. “Hui” signifies converge. “Zui” translates to mouth in Chinese.
In 1726, Nanhui County emerged from Shanghai County. Fast forward to 2001. Nanhui County became Nanhui District. This district covered approximately 809.5 square kilometers. It boasted a 59.5 kilometer coastline. Its population reached 975,017 by August 2006.
However, change was on the horizon. In 2009, Nanhui District merged into Pudong New Area. This marked the end of Nanhu District as a distinct entity.
Nanhui District played a vital role in Shanghai’s development. Its GDP in 2006 reached about US$4.5 billion. It was also known for its public finance revenue. Nanhui ranked among China’s top 10 richest counties.
Strategically, Nanhui District was key. It focused on developing the Yangshan international deep-water port. It also contributed to Pudong International Airport. The Yangshan port aimed to make Shanghai a top harbor city. The East China Sea Bridge connected it with Lingang New City.
Even after its administrative change, Nanhu continues to evolve. The area is now known as Nanhui New City. It was once called Lingang New City. Construction began in 2003. The city aims to house between 450,000 and 800,000 residents. It hopes to attract 10 million annual tourists.
Nanhui New City features a circular man-made lake. It includes a planetarium and shopping centers. Eight university campuses are located on its west side. These campuses host about 100,000 students.
Nanhui offers several attractions today. The China Maritime Museum showcases maritime history. The Shanghai Wild Animal Park houses animals from around the world. The Peach Blossom Festival occurs every March and April. Furthermore, the Shanghai Disney Resort lies within the area.
Let’s talk about the climate. Nanhu experiences a humid subtropical climate. January sees average lows of 1.8°C. July brings average highs of 31.6°C. Rainfall is abundant throughout the year.
Notably, Nanhui holds a special place in Chinese space history. China’s first T-7M sounding rocket launched here in 1960.
Though Nanhu District no longer exists as an official district, its legacy remains. It shaped Shanghai’s growth. It continues to contribute to Pudong New Area. From its origin as a river confluence to its modern developments. Nanhui’s story highlights Shanghai’s dynamic evolution.