“Shanghai before Shanghai- International Students Tell the Story of Shanghai's Cultural Relics." bilingual series of videos engage in a cultural dialogue between international students and the city of Shanghai, tracing the timeline from ancient Songze to the magnificent Yuan Dynasty sluice to collect the unique charm of Shanghai.
Songze Culture is the origin of Shanghai's historical culture, encompassing several "Shanghai Firsts". It preserves the earliest cultural relics of Shanghai, marking the splendid starting point of the city, thus earning the title of "The Source of Shanghai Culture".
Shanghai is the hometown of the sand boat. The sand boat is one of the four ancient sailing ship types in China. It can sail in rivers and seas, making it a versatile vessel for both environments.
In China, the story of Yu the Great controlling the floods is well-known. Similarly, in Shanghai, there's a place that demonstrates the water management projects in the Yangtze River Delta, contributing to economic growth. This is the Yuan Dynasty Water Gate site, dating back over 700 years.
Xujiahui is a hallmark of Shanghai. Do you know what the "Xu" in "Xujiahui" refers to?
Many cities in China have a road named Zhongshan Road in honor of Dr. Sun Yet-san. Shanghai Jiao Tong University has Xuanhuai Avenue in memory of Principal Sheng Xuanhuai. In Shanghai, there is "Huacheng Road" and "Huacheng Bridge," along with a solemn cannon standing quietly in the exhibition hall of the Shanghai History Museum. Do you know who it is meant to commemorate?
There is a precious cultural relic in its collection in the Shanghai Museum of History.It is Dou Fang, the interim presidential candidate of 1911. It is made of Xuan paper texture, with the words "Elected Sun Yat sen, Sixteen Votes" written on it, and stamped with the temporary Senate seal. This precious square artifact is actually a ballot with special significance.
The Baizi Grand Salon is made using traditional Chinese techniques such as vermilion lacquer wood carving, glass painting, and gold and silver embroidery. It is a model of the integration and development of multiple traditional techniques and Shanghai style culture, vividly presenting traditional folk plastic arts. It not only provides rich historical information for the inheritance of traditional crafts, but also an important material evidence of life etiquette in the Jiangnan region since modern times.
The HSBC lions and the history of Shanghai are closely intertwined, witnessing the prosperity of modern Shanghai as a prominent financial hub in the Far East. It bears witness to how Shanghai has evolved from a typical water town into a significant financial center, trade hub, and shipping center in the Far East.
The Shanghai Race Club is a classic building in the heart of Shanghai .Located in Huangpu District, Shanghai, this architectural complex includes the Eastern Building (the original Race Club House), the Western Building (the original administrative office of the Race Club), and a landscape courtyard between them.
Editor on Duty: Yan Cheng
Responsible Editor: Jiang Qianqian, Wang ninghua, Li Xinyu