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January 13, 2015

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Home » District » Songjiang

Climbers, cyclers welcome 2015

By Tan Weiyun | January 13, 2015, Tuesday | Print Edition

MANY Songjiang residents welcomed the New Year with a healthy dose of outdoor exercise.

Some 5,000 people set off from the Happy Valley amusement park to climb Sheshan Hill to mark the first day of 2015.

It’s an annual tradition for Shanghai locals to climb the city’s only “mountain” to celebrate a new year.

Those who reach the top of the 100-meter hill sign their names and write New Year’s wishes on cards fastened with red ribbons to an old tree. Charity bazaars were held at the foot of the hill.

According to the local tourism committee, the 5,000 quota for participants was snapped up in 85 minutes. Of the hill climbers, 3,852 were Shanghainese, 1,145 were from other provinces and three were expats. Ages ranged from eight to 65.

About 500 policemen were deployed during the event to maintain public order, and three ambulances trailed the climbers all the way up the hill in case the exercise overwhelmed any walkers.

After climbing Sheshan, more energetic families continued on to Chenshan Summit, where they could enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Sheshan Hill Natural Resort through a telescope.

Also on January 1, 700 cyclers assembled at the Huating Hudong Plaza to cycle 86 kilometers around the Songjiang District.

Starting from Hubing Road, they cycled along Longyuan and Zhufeng roads, traversed Xinbang Town and pedaled along Yexin and Wencheng roads before returning to the start.

Those less physically fit chose a shorter route of 39 kilometers from Thames Town, past the Chenshan Botanic Garden and around Yuehu Lake.

The event attracted Songjiang locals and also cyclists from Minhang, Xuhui, Qingpu and Fengxian districts.

“I got up at four in the morning and cycled here to join the event,” said Lu Yi, 26, from Fengxian. “It’s a healthy way to say hello to the New Year.”

Yan Yuxuan, 8, was one of the youngest cyclists. He biked with his parents.

“It’s my first time to take part in this activity,” he said with obvious glee. “I’m happy that my father bought me a new bike.”

The three-day New Year holiday was a boost to Songjiang tourism on many fronts

The local association of commerce and tourism said the district’s 11 star attractions, including Sheshan Hill Forest Park, Shanghai Chenshan Botanic Garden and Thames Town, reported a combined 156,000 visitors, generating revenue of almost 5.8 billion yuan (US$930,730).

Fangta Park and Zuibai Pond Garden offered a combination ticket that enabled people to visit the two popular sites on one pass.

During the holiday, Fangta had 6,600 visitors and Zuibai Pond Garden, 8,100.

Songjiang


 

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