In recent years, the People’s Republic of China has experienced a kind of “westernization” to develop and improve the infrastructure of its major cities and make them more attractive to locals and tourists. The exponential economic growth of the Asian giant has triggered a domestic architectural expansion to suit the needs of an emerging and thriving local aristocracy with a penchant for luxuries and amenities of international renown. In response to the new market demands, China currently has countless hospitality and service initiatives that foment the construction of mega projects such as the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel on Lake Yanqi, or the Castle Hotel, in Dalian.The Greenland Qingpu Xujing stands out for its powerful visual impact and futuristic organic lines inspired by the cloverleaf. The architecture of the shopping gallery evokes a marine vessel, with fixed glass and metal panels that form a sort of bow and stern. It features a central nave of overlapping irregular planes that deliver a dynamic profile of enormous appeal. Inside, a glass roof fills the three levels with bright natural light.
Developed by the architects from Aedas and designed by the renowned Chinese architect Wai Tang, the project also functions as a social hub. The Primus five-star hotel and the shopping mall will attract guests while the pedestrian layout easily moves the visitors to the Exhibition and Convention Center, integrating all the multifunctional experiences. As a perfect complement, the district also includes several public open spaces bringing more life and activity to the neighborhood.Shanghai is a fascinating city that has radically changed its appearance in the last decades. Today, it is a modern, vibrant metropolis with an impressive skyline that contrasts with the city’s more traditional quarters, its outdoor markets, imperial palaces and centuries-old public parks.
This city full of contrasts welcomes domestic and international tourists with plenty of culture, history, and spectacular architecture. Shanghai’s tourism renaissance comes with luxury goods and services, including Greenland Qingpu Xujing District, which has become one more reason to visit the always-enchanting city of Shanghai. ■
