The awards for the 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival float parade were announced on October 6th. The «Zhou Classmate ‘Summer Tour'» float won the «Most Popular with Audience Award,» while floats including «China Science and Technology City — Mianyang» and «Lohas Shanghai» received twelve individual awards for best performance effect, best technological effect, and others.

The float parade was one of the longest-running and most anticipated activities of this year’s Shanghai Tourism Festival. Since their spectacular debut on Zhongshan East Road in Shanghai’s Huangpu District on September 13th, 25 domestic and international floats have visited 11 famous landmarks and popular commercial districts across 10 districts including Jing’an, Putuo, Songjiang, Fengxian, Jinshan, Xuhui, Jiading, Qingpu, Baoshan, and Pudong New Area. Using light and shadow as their brush and creativity as their ink, they created an autumn celebration for residents and visitors.

This year’s float parade achieved breakthroughs across three dimensions: cross-sector, cross-industry, and cross-dimensional. Behind the 25 floats stood a diverse lineup representing cultural tourism, finance, new consumption, regional exchanges, and more, fully demonstrating Shanghai’s openness and inclusiveness as a «cultural hub.»

The tourism festival floats were not only exquisitely designed and crafted but also reflected a combination of professionalism and public participation in the selection process. Ultimately, the «Zhou Classmate ‘Summer Tour'» float won the Most Popular with Audience Award; the «China Science and Technology City — Mianyang» float received the Best Performance Effect Award; the «Three Rivers Converge·Gateway to Shanghai» float earned the Best Dynamic Effect Award; the «Lohas Shanghai» float claimed the Best Technological Effect Award; the «Wilderness Kings·Glory Parade» float obtained the Best Simulation Effect Award; the «‘Golden Age’ Splendor» float secured the Best Craftsmanship Award; the «Hometown of Mount Everest·Auspicious Shigatse» float gained the Best Cooperation Achievement Award; the «Hometown Henan» float acquired the Best Communication Value Award; the «Pearl of the Silk Road·Charming Kashgar» float attained the Best Color Interpretation Award; the «Taipei City Float» achieved the Best Lighting Effect Award; the «Wings over the Huangpu River» float received the Best Visual Design Award; while the «Charming Zhujiajiao·Most Jiangnan on the Sea» and «Small Kagawa, Infinite Inspiration» floats jointly won the Best Cultural Atmosphere Award.

As one of the classic activities of this year’s Shanghai Tourism Festival, the float parade has become a «super connector» linking various industries. Through deep interaction with the Shanghai International Light and Shadow Festival, the «flowing light and shadow» has been transformed into genuine «consumption momentum.»

Coinciding with the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, the floats served as core vehicles for the deep integration of Shanghai’s cultural tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibition sectors. The flowing light and shadow activated consumption across the region, pushing the festive atmosphere to its peak. The accompanying Starlight Market featured an array of handmade goods and specialty cultural products. While admiring the floats, visitors could stop to shop at any time. The strong drawing power of the floats directly boosted market consumption, allowing visitors to seamlessly transition between cultural tourism experiences and consumption scenarios.

Zhou Classmate ‘Summer Tour’

Based on the name, «Zhou Classmate ‘Summer Tour'» does not appear to be a well-known historical place or cultural site. It is likely a modern, informal event, such as a trip or tour organized by a school class or a group of friends with the surname Zhou. Therefore, a historical summary is not applicable for this specific reference.

China Science and Technology City — Mianyang

China Science and Technology City in Mianyang is a major national hub for scientific research and technological development, particularly in electronics and defense. It was established in the early 2000s, building upon Mianyang’s existing foundation as a key location for China’s nuclear and aerospace research institutes since the Cold War era. Today, it serves as a central platform for driving innovation and high-tech industrialization in the country.

Lohas Shanghai

«Lohas Shanghai» is a modern, large-scale mixed-use development in the Minhang District, known for its shopping malls, residential complexes, and business parks. Its history is recent, as it was developed in the 21st century as part of Shanghai’s urban expansion to create integrated lifestyle hubs that combine living, retail, and leisure. The area reflects the contemporary urban planning trend in China focused on community-oriented, sustainable living.

Three Rivers Converge·Gateway to Shanghai

«Three Rivers Converge·Gateway to Shanghai» refers to the historic Bund (Waitan) area in Shanghai, where the Huangpu River meets the Suzhou Creek near the mouth of the Yangtze River estuary. This strategic waterfront developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the commercial gateway to Shanghai, featuring iconic colonial-era buildings that housed foreign trading companies and banks. It symbolizes Shanghai’s transformation into a global port city and remains a landmark representing the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures.

Wilderness Kings·Glory Parade

I am unable to find any historical or cultural information about a place called «Wilderness Kings·Glory Parade.» This name does not appear to correspond to a known historical site, cultural landmark, or major event. It is possible the name may be from a fictional work, a local attraction, or a translation of a different name.

‘Golden Age’ Splendor

«Golden Age» Splendor is a term often used to describe the cultural and artistic peak of a civilization, such as the Islamic Golden Age (8th-14th centuries) or Spain’s «Siglo de Oro.» These periods were marked by extraordinary achievements in science, philosophy, literature, and the arts, fueled by economic prosperity, political stability, and intellectual exchange. The legacy of such eras includes magnificent architectural works, foundational scientific texts, and timeless artistic masterpieces that continue to define the cultural identity of these regions.

Hometown of Mount Everest·Auspicious Shigatse

Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, is celebrated as the «Auspicious Shigatse» and is considered the spiritual «Hometown of Mount Everest.» It is home to the historic Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The wider Shigatse region provides the primary northern access route to Mount Everest, known as Qomolangma in Tibetan.

Hometown Henan

Henan Province in central China is known as the cradle of Chinese civilization, as it was the heartland of ancient dynasties for thousands of years. It is home to historic landmarks like the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu, and the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of Buddhist rock carvings.