The century-old Huangpu Wharf site has served not only as a water gateway but also witnessed the beginnings of China’s national industry. In the early 20th century, six groups totaling 650 progressive Chinese youth departed from here for France as part of the Work-Study Movement. The Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District has now officially opened to the public with a renewed appearance.
As one of the important activities of the 2025 Shanghai University Student Tourism Festival, the «Red Journey, Eternal Spirit» micro-tour inaugural event at the Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District was held at the Qinhuangdao Cruise Terminal waiting hall.
The renewed district features artistic installations composed of multiple symbolic elements including flags, books, flames, gears, and waves, framed by a «Timeline Scroll» entrance. Interlocking gears preserve the steel memories of the wharf and ships, while strong lines support profound historical significance and simple designs inject modern dynamism. This creates a space where the «Ship of History» and the «City of Today» converge, reminding every visitor that this was the glorious starting point where revolutionary pioneers departed for France a century ago to seek revolutionary ideals. The path of «studying, tempering, choosing paths, and serving the nation» taken by progressive youth from here witnessed the original aspirations of older generation revolutionaries embarking on their revolutionary journey, and recorded their process of forging Marxist beliefs overseas and accumulating strength to serve the nation during the establishment and development of the Communist Party of China.
During the event, the first professional tour guide team for the Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District was established, marking a step toward more specialized and systematic dissemination of the district’s cultural heritage to better serve the public.
The event also released a hand-drawn cultural tourism map featuring four themed routes that connect cultural landmarks and trendy districts throughout the area, including the Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District, providing a new exploration experience for visitors.
A distinctive micro-tour journey began from the Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District. Thirty domestic and international visitors followed professional guides on a spiritual journey spanning a century. The renewed outdoor installations skillfully blend historical and modern elements, showcasing unique artistic charm. Light and shadow play across relief walls that recreate images of young students traveling overseas in pursuit of truth. Each art installation seamlessly integrates historical memory with contemporary aesthetics, silently evoking deep reflection on that remarkable era of the Work-Study Movement in France.
One visitor stood before the relief wall for a long time, saying: «These historical stories are震撼ing. I see how Chinese youth bravely journeyed to foreign lands in pursuit of knowledge and truth. This spirit deeply inspires me and gives me a more profound understanding of modern Chinese history and cultural heritage.»
In the elegant workshop of the cultural arts center, visitors held clay sculpting tools and kneaded colored dough, creating charming traditional dough figurines under the guidance of skilled artisans. An international student excitedly said while kneading dough: «This cultural activity lets me feel the profound depth of Chinese culture. Every detail contains stories, and I feel like I’m traveling through time, conversing with people from the past.»
As the journey concluded, participants strolled along the brilliantly lit University Road, where shimmering lights reflected the gentle and dynamic nightscape of the city.
The cultural and tourism authorities stated that the revitalization and opening of the Huangpu Wharf Historical and Cultural District represents not just architectural renewal, but a public cultural practice that uses heritage as its foundation and urban micro-tourism as its vehicle. It connects scattered historical fragments into a continuous narrative, integrating historical memory into citizens’ daily lives and adding new dimensions to the waterfront area’s story.
The cultural heritage management center indicated that future efforts will focus on promoting the district’s routes and cultural activities. The site is expected to become a new urban cultural landmark integrating historical education, cultural experience, and leisure tourism—a representative cultural tourism destination that integrates historical memory into the city’s pulse, allowing the century-old wharf to continue shining with contemporary significance.
