Yangshupu Waterworks, located on the Yangpu Riverside, is China's first modernized waterworks with a history of over 140 years. Within this facility, there is an exhibition hall that ingeniously combines exotic classical architecture with advanced water technology - the Shanghai Water Technology Museum. Recently, the museum has completed a new round of upgrades and renovations, returning with a fresh new look.

As an old factory with a history of over 140 years, Yangshupu Waterworks, completed in 1883, was China's first modernized waterworks and marked the starting point of urban water supply in modern China. A hundred years ago, it, along with over three hundred other enterprises, opened the curtain of China's industrialization along the Yangpu Riverside. The factory buildings were designed by British engineer Hart, with a distinctive Gothic castle style. The overall color of the buildings is rusty red, with load-bearing walls made of plain water bricks and adorned with red brick waistlines.

Nowadays, the Yangshupu Waterworks, which has a history of over 140 years, still provides water for Shanghai residents. Some of the original buildings constructed back then have been preserved and are still in use, including some factory buildings and filtration tanks. The main entrance of the waterworks remains the same as it was in the past. In order to complement the opening of the 45-kilometer public space along both sides of the Huangpu River, the Yangshupu Waterworks has moved its water pipes 5 meters inward and built a more than 500-meter-long trestle bridge. Citizens can walk on the trestle bridge and experience the charm and elegance of this century-old architecture up close by the Huangpu River. In 2013, the Yangshupu Waterworks was announced as the seventh batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council, and a cultural relic protection plaque can be seen at the entrance of Yangshupu Road. The Yangshupu Waterworks is one of the first batch of outstanding historical buildings and immovable cultural relics in Shanghai, and it was included in the first batch of industrial heritage protection list in China in 2018.

The Shanghai Water Science and Technology Museum, located inside the Yangshupu Waterworks, was established in 2003 and has recently completed a new round of upgrades and renovations before the end of this year. The renovated Water Science and Technology Museum consists of one underground floor and two above-ground floors, with three main sections: "Source of Water," "Realm of Water," and "Dream of Water." It is dedicated to creating a unique "classroom" that systematically reflects the development, technological progress, and innovative applications of urban water supply in Shanghai.

The "Source of Water" in the first chapter mainly showcases the development of Shanghai's tap water industry from the late 19th century to the present. Through precious historical materials, photos, physical exhibits, and wax figures, it recreates the water usage scenes of old Shanghai and vividly narrates the establishment and water supply history of Shanghai's first water plant, depicting the origin of modern tap water in Shanghai.

The "Realm of Water" focuses on the progress of tap water technology, service optimization, and quality improvement under industrial iteration. Through interactive platforms such as popular science Q&A, water supply hotline interaction, and tracing the source of clean water, it allows citizens to intuitively experience the technological progress and innovative applications in Shanghai's urban water supply.

The final chapter, "Dream of Water," showcases a new vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and water through technological empowerment and intelligent driving, envisioning that Shanghai's water supply industry will enter a new era of intelligence, greening, and personalization.

The "Treasure of the Museum" made in the 19th century

On the basement floor of the Shanghai Water Technology Museum, there is an old model of the Yangshupu Water Plant, which was made in 1883. From the model, it can be seen that the water treatment process of the Yangshupu Water Plant at that time was still very backward, with only a few slow filtration pool equipment, and a daily water supply of only 3698 cubic meters, which already represented a big step forward in the development of the tap water supply industry. Now, many interactive experience areas have been added to the museum, such as the Leap Water Source (VR simulation), water purification plant, interactive water collection and supply area, water pipe maze, waiting for citizens to come and experience one by one.

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Shanghai Water Technology Museum

Address

No. 830 Yangshupu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai

Opening Hours

Tuesday (closed on national holidays)

Morning: 9:00-11:00; Afternoon: 13:30-15:30