Huangpu River 黄浦江 Huángpǔ jiāng
1.Literal meaning – Yellow Bank River
2.Former romanization - Whangpoo
3. Source: Dianshan Lake - a freshwater lake west of Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District
4. It is 113-kilometer (70 mi) long river flowing through Shanghai that was first excavated and created by Lord Chunshen.
He was born as 黃歇 Huang Xie and was a nobleman, general, and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Chu during the late Warring States period of ancient China. He was one of the Four Lords of the Warring States during Warring States period (475 BC - 221 BC).
5. It is the last significant tributary of the Yangtze before it empties into the East China Sea.
6. In 19th century Huangpu river was both the reason that the village called Shanghai appeared on the maps and at the same, led to its downfall and then revival.
During the First Opium War in 1842, British naval ships appeared on the Huangpu river and captured Wusong - a separate port town located 14 miles (23 km) down the Huangpu River from Shanghai's urban core, which housed a Qing fortress protecting the entrance to Shanghai.
In 1937 the Huangpu river ‘betrayed’ Shanghai again as it allowed the Japanese naval fleet and enabled their forage of the city.
Yet, since 1949 it has served as trading link, allowing worldwide import and export.
7. It is the largest river in Shanghai, with Suzhou Creek (also called the Wusong River) being its major tributary. It is on average 400 metres (1,312 feet) wide and 9 metres (30 feet) deep.
8. It divides the city into two regions: Pudong ("East Bank") and Puxi ("West Bank")
9. There are 5 bridges that cross the Huangpu River (Songpu Bridge, Xupu Bridge, Lupu Bridge, Nanpu Bridge & Yangpu Bridge) and we have already told you about them a while ago! Click this link if you don’t remember! http://www.culture-shock-tours.com/blog/6-most-outstanding-bridges-of-shanghai
10. The Huangpu River runs through over 10 districts in the city. It is regarded as the Mother River of Shanghai, serving multiple functions including drinking water, shipping, drainage, fishery and tourism. Besides the bridges, several submarine tunnels have been built under and on the river to provide better transportation conditions.
