Shanghai Daily News

Construction of a new project to create recreational facilities on the embankment of Jinshan City beach is now underway, the district government announced recently.

According to the southwest district's 300 million yuan (US$37.5 million) plan, 10 projects are to be constructed along the 7.2-kilometer sea-view corridor. They include the artificial sea-view mountain, a tourist service center, a commercial street, a sports hotel, a beach, an international yacht club, a railway station, an exhibition center, an international community and the Shanghai Seafood Center.

The Jinshan Seashore Administration Committee also announced it will expand its green belt coverage.

A district official said the face-lift will turn the shoreline area into a green public square by year end. When finished, it is expected to be the largest of its kind in China.

The district's plan includes the establishment of a five-star sports hotel. With an area of 18,000 square meters, it will consist of 330 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool nearby the beach.

Recreational activities such as swimming, motorcycles on the beach, surfing, sailing and rock climbing will also be included at the beach spot.

Following the construction of Fengxian Bay, Jinshan is the city's second beach location. The director of Jinshan Shoreline Development and Administration Committee refused to comment when asked about the difference between the two beaches. Both are currently in the planning or in the construction stages.

Zhang Zhijun, a senior administrative consultant for Jinshan Shanyang Club, said the district faced considerable ecological challenges in the project, namely in how it would preserve the area's natural attributes.

"Without a comprehensive plan and advanced concepts in management in the shoreline construction, the natural gifts may turn out a disaster," said the overseas-educated Chinese.

When taking about food and beverage facilities for the beach, he recommended that famous brands such as Starbucks coffee and Haagen-Dazs ice cream be invited to set up shops.

"To my observation, with the rising affluence of the city's middle class, most people want a decent place to eat and drink when relaxing beside the sea. This is the lifestyle, especially for the young."

Wang Zhen and Lin Yi, a retired local couple, said they had been spending their wedding anniversary at the beach since 2004. They both liked the spot very much.

"Usually we come in the early morning and walk along the beach and search for little crabs," the 58-year-old man said.

"We both love the sea and the beach. A weekend getaway to Hainan Island is another city away, but a similar experience can be found here in Jinshan which is really exiting."